Now that was some butt-kicking fun!!
I started at a chilly sunrise but quickly warmed up running the short unmaintained trail, which is the clearest path for the whole endeavor. As I made my way onto the boulder chocked drainage, then saddle, then ascending ridge and finally onto the upper ridge proper, I could see most of the challenge laid out before me! I did my best to keep up speed while boulder hopping most of the way. There's no trail and not much actual ground, soil, sand, etc. It's mostly boulders. The trip was only around 9 miles, but oh, those miles! Every other step is potentially an ankle roller for sure. Even some of the big rocks can give way. There was some climbing involved (mostly class 3 with a little 4) so the ridge never really lets up. Even on the downhills, it's still semi-technical. The views were beautiful! The temps were near perfect! I dealt with a little cramping in my right hammy but pushed through it. You have to be careful as you get near the end because fatigue can set in, but the ridge stays sketchy, so no stupid or lazy mistakes. All in all a very fun morning knocking out this gorgeously rugged desert ridge!