Dawn

After a filling Mexican diner at Lucy's -- note to past field trippers, they've moved across the street to a newer, nicer building -- most everyone headed to bed early before today's hike up McKittrick Canyon and the Permian Reef Trail. The high is forecast at 100-F, so we all stocked up on water and Gatorade last night. We trying for as early a start as possible to get to the top before the heat reaches its maximum.