By the time I reached the first mileage marker on my way up the mountain, I was more than ready to stop for a breather. The wide dirt road may have looked flat, but the incline was obvious to my legs and hips. I think I remember wishing I had tackled Mt. Konocti at least a couple of decades earlier, when I was in my 30s or 40s! It was also a good excuse to pause and enjoy small details like the butterflies and the colorful spring wildflowers. I never really decided on my ultimate goal for this hike, although I did want to reach one of the peaks since that goal had eluded me on my previous visit. In the end, I “settled” for Buckingham Peak as it seemed closer to where I was standing. It may have been less than a mile away, but it was not a very easy mile for me; it still took me roughly an hour to reach the top.

Looking back down the trail; still a long way to go!

Climbing Buckingham Peak

I can see where I stopped for lunch

Fire lookout tower on Wright Peak