I decided to go for it without a permit in hand. Left Redlands, Friday at 1 pm. Hit the visitor center at 4:20 and did not have a problem getting a permit.
Camped at Tuttle. Wide open, clean, and only $5.00 a night (It's little low in elevation if your wanting acclimate). At 5:00 am the parking lots were pretty packed but I did find a slot. Walking at 5:30, Trail camp at 9:30. Place was wide open and found a good wind protected spot, dropped my pack and headed for the summit at 10:00. Didn't top out in till 1, (I was feeling my oats from the hike up to camp), and headed back down at 2:00. Camp at 4:30. I set up a very windy camp and ate dinner (It was'nt nearly as wind protected as I thought). Tried to get a little nap and noticed my pad was flat! The wind was blowing pretty good, flat sleeping pad, and I want a beer. Easy enough, so I packed my pack and headed for the portal at 7:30. Hooked up with a couple of day hikers. We were moving as fast as we could trying to use all of the daylight available. We came close but the lights came on at 8:45. Made the truck at 9:15. What a day. After scaring the daylights out of my wife (she didnt expect or hear me pull in but woke up to the sound of the front door opening). I was in bed at 1:30am.
Overall, great trip. My 51 year old body could have done without the full pack up and back from trail camp but I wasn't good with the no pad and a tent getting blown pretty well (not to mention the possibility of having a cold beer). The only really sketchy part was on the cables coming down, the 2nd post is bent out. I was so tired I really had a tough time with my depth perception and focusing on the cable. There are 2 steps down onto ice covered rocks and I could not reach the cable. Took a couple tries and all went well. Gave me an energy boost for the balance of the trip.
And to the the members on this board, Thanks! Your humble opinons and suggestions are appreciated! I read most posts but I probably would not have attempted this trip without versatilefred and stevec's posts.
Next up, The Mountianeers route early August.
