The sign at the bottom of the wooded path said the hike would be strenuous. Just a few feet further and another sign gave the option of a hike around the base of the hill or a hike to the top. The difference between the two listed clearly — base trail, moderate; summit trail, strenuous. This day I had my mind set on the summit trail.       Ten markers along the way measured a hiker’s progress. At about marker 5, a bench waited for climbers already weary of the journey. Although not ...