Final Training Hike...to the Window

I had a dream Tuesday night.  I was standing on concrete somewhere and there was a baby rattler on the floor. Somehow, the rattler got on my right shoulder but towards the back.  I dared not try to grab it because it would bite me.  Remember this is a dream so rational thoughts need not apply. Eventually, a guy driving a 4-wheeler stopped and took the snake off my shoulder. I don't believe in omens but I admit, that dream crossed my mind a few times as our group started up Ventana Canyon toward the Window.  I was leading when....   

.....at some point, yelled, "snake" when I spotted this guy just ahead of me. Looks like a Coral snake but a harmless California King snake. The trail was......

....horrible.  Mile after mile of overgrown nastiness with the trail obscured by long grass.  I banged my hiking pole on the trail in front of me prior to taking a step (I was leading).  Catclaw and every other pointy plant made our lives miserable.  We lost the trail several times but kept finding it, unfortunately.  I wished I had a flame thrower.

The canyon ends and then faced with a wall, we begin climbing.  Hey, there's the arch, middle of the image left.  Looks so close but still so far away.  From having hiked this a couple of times, I know to watch for.....

.... a rock spire, indicating we were close to the saddle and yes.....

....I arrived.  Thank goodness but still more climbing until I reached.....

....the famous Window, a huge arch at mile 7 and 3800' of climbing.

I sat at the edge and waited for the others to catch up.  What a view!  We snacked and after 15 minutes....

....decided to head down. 

Wow, just a great hike of 14 miles and I'm ready for the Grand Canyon and the hike around the Horseshoe Mesa.  Although I have a gpx track, I'm a little nervous because there is exposure, too many junctions/turns and too many hikers have wandered off trail never to be found until they had expired.  But hey, this is me so......