We had great hiking conditions – pleasantly cool for the ascent, pleasantly warm for the descent, clear skies for extensive views and a large variety of flowers.

Flowers seen - Braggin' Rights/Merlin View

Flowers seen - Braggin' Rights/Merlin View

Perfect Thistle

We stopped for a snack break at the viewpoint partway up Merlin’s View where a stone sofa with coffee table was conveniently built.

Snack stop at 'sofa & coffee table' viewpoint

Expansive view from snack stop

We had an early lunch at the high point of the trail, with views of Moose Mountain. A pretty, black polka dotted moth was flitting around us.

Polka dot Moth?

Group at lunch (Moose Mtn in background)

This trail is very popular with mountain bikers, but we were fortunate that with our early start, we didn’t have to step aside too often. We saw very few until 11am. We were back at the cars around 1:30, giving us lots of time to get on with our other plans for the day. Krystyna was also able to gather several edible mushrooms along the trail for her dinner.

Thanks to Corey,Jane,Cristina,Krystyna for joining me Barb, and thanks to Krystyna and Cristina for supplementing my photos.