23.03 Silleta de Padul, up and over in the Sierra Nevada.
The Lower peak of Silleta de Padul from above, somewhere in the...okay, somewhere 2,500 feet above ground level. As we move up, the soft light provides the best views of the Sierras thus far. We approached this hike trying to avoid the intense heat as much as possible; we left the apartment early. However, one small thing that interfered with the plan was the directions. Although we had good instructions, it only takes a small error, even one very close to the destination, to add additional time to the journey. However, on the upside, and there are a lot of hills and inclines, we got to see more of the villages and towns clustered on, around and below the mountains. The elevation gain was a solid 2,500 feet, the climbing segment a little over two miles, causing a sweat. On a rustic but terrific track, with frequent moves through the forest, we kept our cool. Reaching the peak, which allows for surrounding views that are quite breathless. Field of dreams...