Eight hikers joined Brent and me on my provisional "I" to Whale. Our dirt road drive to the Petroglyphs trailhead ESE of the peak was easy. The walk to the foot of a gully E of the peak was also easy. The climb up the gully and later up the gully's flank was not so easy! The steep terrain of rocks, boulders, and sharp desert plants made for slow going. We reached the summit rock at about 12:30, just in time for a well earned lunch. The views were great but the wind was too cold for a long stay.
Our return trip was fun. Lots of rocks and boulders to go over, around, or slide down. Once on the floor again, a fast pace back to the cars as the wind turned the afternoon cold.
My thanks to Brent and a great group of hikers: Bart, Dave, Diane, George, Gordon, Joy, Martha, and Rosina.
