Group Hike to Panther Peak

Our group of 11 departs from the Cam-Boh Picnic parking lot PROMPTLY at the designated time of 9am, lol.  It's a pet peeve of mine that other hiking groups  give as much as 30+ minutes leeway, penalizing those who make the effort to arrive on time...crazy.  The first mile of this route is kind of boring, walking on flat, sandy ground but soon....

....we reach a ravine and begin an entertaining route through a boulder field.  Not an official trail but enough cairns that the route is not too difficult to follow.

We are headed to a saddle, still a bit distant above but the gang....

....continues to climb and we are encouraged to see....

.....our destination come into view.  Eventually.....

....we reach a saddle and regroup.  After a brief regroup we make a left and begin a more modest ascent.

In the distance, the more well known "Sombrero Peak" as Barry leads a contingent of our group with others just behind.

Check out the above view to the south.  All the mountain ranges in the distance...love it!

The group gathers at the peak where we refuel, talk a bit.....

.....enjoy the great views while.....

....hiking friend Lorna scrambles to a prominent point to pose.  Of course, any climb is followed by.....

...a down climb as Amy demonstrates one of the many challenges.  We finish with 5 miles and 1400' of climbing.  Good group as always.