THIS time, we really did the whole hike, accompanied by my upstairs neighbor, Sam. The weather couldn’t have been better, but we were about a week or two too early for the peak of Fall color. Guess it’s been too warm this year.

Maya and Sam, in front of a sample of how this hike got its name. I was laughing that this could be a kitschy hike for when Maya’s older…we’ll bring our own pancakes and syrup and do brunch on the rocks.

Another example. For an idea of scale, notice the hiker sitting toward the right side of the rock formation.

Artsy shot of a twisted pine — this one would probably look great in b/w, but I only shot color, so that’s left to PhotoShop.

A bit of Fall color — but only the yellow. Give this area a week or two, and orange and red will join.

The hike’s end overlooks a valley that’s filled with aspen trees, but they were mainly still green. Again…give it another couple weeks, and this will be amazing. Problem is, after reminding myself of how un-fun the switchback are (you know, the ones I did a couple months ago without getting to hit the top?), I’m not sure we’ll go back this season. A drive through Phantom Canyon in the next couple weeks will be good, though.