Thanks! I could go next Wednesday. It's about time I took a fun day off from work. I am happy about your described pace and in winter don't dawdle as much as in warmer months. My parents came down this trail by mistake many years ago when I was a pouty teenager and decided not to hike with them and my younger brother that day. At that time Hale seemed like a nothing peak and I had sleeping to do. I've been sorry ever since. They even had to hitchhike back to get their car.