Twelve hikers left the valley in three cars at 6:15. When viewing from a distance, the asbestos tailings are a prominent landmark used to locate the point. It was dust, fog, pollutants or a temperature inversion that hindered our view.

We drove SR 288 to milepost 277, then shuttled two cars to the Parker Trailhead #160. With boots on at 8:20 AM we headed up FR 489.

After climbing 400 feet, we were at the 5600 feet. We could hear water trickling in pocket creek along side the road. Soon we left the black walnut trees. The road had deep ruts that were rock-filled. At 5600 feet the trees were just black, needle-free fire-black. Signs of the fire were everywhere.

The weather was shirtsleeve comfortable. However, the bright yet hazy sky filtering through among the burnt dead trees made it pre-Halloween spooky, After 1600 feet of climbing we reached the spot where we decided to leave the road and begin our bushwhack at “LT”.

Our boots did not sink in a soft cushion of leaves and pine needles that we experience in 2015. The ground was bare. We taxed our quadriceps muscles on the steep ascent. At “64” we reached a spot the fire missed. A green canopy of pine needles was above us. The final assault to the point took us above the pines. Scampering over rocks and through bushes was the task at hand. At the point we took our lunch break. Roosevelt Lake was barely visible through the haze.

As we started our trek along the ridgeline, Dave M spotted three different monuments. The fire had made dodging Manzanita much easier than in 2015. Haze obstructed our view of the Cherry Creek Valley to the east. There was a scattering pines and junipers as we hiked the ridge.

At “SA” we took a break. One of our hikers went to check out the facilities. After an extended length of time, Bill asked if they needed help. No volunteers.

We tried to follow pre-entered GPS waypoints. So we zigged and zagged across an abandoned barbwire fence line as we headed north.

From “TNK” (the tank was dry) signs of the fire lessened. It was spotty and limited to the ground not reaching treetops.

From “RB7” to the trail at “PC TOP” there was no sign of fire. At 3:00, after a short break, we headed down the Parker Canyon Trail.