I think this tree is half-dead, but I'm too tired to investigate further. The red leaves make a nice photo.
Just beyond this tree, I reach the "dreaded steep spot" on this trail that I remember from last year's trip. I have been thinking that I must have already climbed that bad spot further back, and that it wasn't as tough as I remember.
But suddenly, I realize that I didn't, and that I'm "there" now.