We got there at 8am and the parking lot was not full yet. We started the hike at 8:15am and got to the top in less than half an hour. Do not take kids in strollers- you reach a point where there are only narrow steps to go up and we saw many families with strollers stopping at that point. Even at 8:30am in the morning we were sweating from the heat and sun, so it's probably a good idea to choose either early morning or late afternoon to go! Remember to bring water and sunglasses/ hat to shield your eyes/ face from the sun.
The views were magnificent... We stayed at the top for about 15-30 minutes. We got the shave ice when we were done. It was HUGE. The pineapple flavour was better than the strawberry one...

Go early before the parking lot fills up! Or, in case it is full, try to persuade the gate person to let you "stand by" in your car inside the lot and wait for an opening. Also, get there before 4:30PM since that is the cutoff for letting people into the park. Bring water. Wear sunscreen. Valley can be hot while climbing, but the breeze picks up on top. If you are taking toddlers please hold their hand (!) - there are numerous places where small children can slip through under the rails. Chances are you will be hit up for a "free" T-shirt on your way down the hill, for a $15 "donation". Selling beverages, T-shirts, and printed matter on the trails is against the law - but it's done anyway. The photo ops and views are worth the trip. Treat yourself to a shaved ice after you come back down - you will have earned one!

I'm a reasonably out of shape person; I hadn't been to the gym in months, so I was a bit daunted by the stairs and climb, but it was worth it. We started about 4pm, and found sandals with a heel strap were fine but I wouldn't recommend flip flops. We even saw tourists walking up in skirts and heels, which made me cringe as I thought of sprained ankles. The first part of the path is paved, then turns to rocks and gravel on switchbacks, then stairs, then a tunnel, then more stairs, then spiral stairs, then a hole you crawl through, then a few more stairs, then a really rewarding view. We were back at our car by 5:45 pm. We wore sunscreen and hats, which was very helpful. Stupidly, we did NOT take water with us. I can't recommend that enough. TAKE WATER. We stopped several times along the way to enjoy the view, and for breathers, and it didn't increase the time of the hike much at all. I think it is worth it, and I saw older people, kids, and people of all shapes and sizes making the trek, so it is doable, BUT take water, take your time, stop for breaks if you aren't in great shape, start early in the am so it isn't so hot, wear a hat, and wear GOOD SHOES. You can make it up there in flip flops, but you wont enjoy it as much.

The views from the top were breath taking. It is a long hard hike to the top. Make sure you take a couple bottles of water with you and that you are wearing tennis shoes. It's a long uphill hike, then you go into a long tunnel before you hike some more to come to another tunnel that connects to a winding stairway that takes you to the top. Make sure you have lots of time to spend. The views are amazing.