I thought taking detours is what life is all about.
Ya know, taking the road less traveled leads you to wonderful places sometimes. 
Keep it up FIGHT ON 
Believe it or not this was a big decision for me!
And what may make it more confusing is that were talking about a very very dinky deviation. I think the peak is less than one quarter mile from the road.
I knew Panorama Point had to be right around the corner from that point. I had studied my Tom Harrison Map before starting from Lake Ave. and knew it was 1.1 miles down the dirt road from Inspiration Point. (The words Muir Peak aren't on the map.) After walking a while I figured I was about half way. I thought since this road is running almost level and even going down hill some that Muir Peak must have better views.
Going off a route that I planned is a big no no for me as I sign in blood where exactly I am going and leave that info at home. When I leave and when I expect to return etc. I am kinda new to hiking and have seen stuff happen to people and realize it could happen to anybody. even me! So hiking on known trails and sticking to my plans makes sense to be the safest for me. I could be easily found if I got bit by a snake or got into a fight with a cougar or a bear or sprained an ankle etc.
So as I stood there at the sign (tempted)
I thought for about 5 minutes.
I could see the top and it's like right there, so close and I figured I could roll down to the road if something happened. (If you are laughing you are not alone. I think it's funny too!
I ripped my tendons in my ankle on the last 100 feet of the Sam Merill Trail about 3 months ago.
(Here) I had hiked to Inspiration Point and returned in the dark. No problems at all until the very end of the hike where I stepped on some washed out asphalt near the gate at Lake. If that had happened any further up the trail I would have needed to be rescued. So crazy!
At least I can walk now!
I put
this map to show how silly my BIG DETOUR decision really was!
"A" is Panorama Point. "B" is where the Muir Peak trail starts, and "C" is where Muir peak is.
