It sounds like your hike really bombed at the end!
Helicopters are fun to ride in Mr Wizard. Back in the early 80s I worked on the BLM's helitac 554 there in Apple Valley. We spent the summer flying around chasing lightning strikes and that filled the ol adrenaline cravings. Flying AND playing with fire.
It's too bad you didn't get to watch them fire that Korean war relic into oblivion. I am looking forward to the pictures