Once we made it to our destination up in the mountains, we had the great fortune of getting excellent hiking path recommendations from an old friend of Byron's who called the area home.
There was one hike specifically, I do not intend on forgetting anytime soon. It was the most rigorous hike I've ever done. And, I know, that's not saying much for most everybody else. But, it's saying plenty for me. My workouts consist of leisure walks and bike rides around town with my 30 pound tot in tow. This hike felt different. Very different.
We drove five miles down a gravel road to reach the trail head. We got to see lots of ranch land where the cows roamed freely around the mountain side forest and meadows. We even had to stop the car to allow for a herd to finish mossying about the road. They drank fresh water that flowed through the streams from the mountain top. The young calves followed behind the mamas. These cows looked so happy! What an idyllic scene it was! Beatrix was tickled by the sight!
45 minutes after turning down the gravely road, we reached the trail head. We hiked for four miles up a 14,000 foot moutain! The trail was magnificent! High meadows, apsen groves, forest...Views surrounding us in every direction. Of course, the photos do no justice, especially since I forgot to switch my lens out and had to use my super duper zoom lens.
I must be honest. I did have a temper tantrum when we were about three quarters up the trail. I was so darn hungry. We were out of water. It had been a very long while since we'd seen another hiker. I told Byron we were sort of crazy doing this with our child. I started thinking about all of the what if's. No cell phone power. No water. Very little food. Our little one. It gets very cold at night. Would anyone know to search for us????
I forgot exactly what he told me, but basically he said he wasn't turning around without reaching the lakes at the top. He said, we could stay put and wait for him. I remember telling him I wasn't going to sit hear and WAIT for him. No way we going our separate ways UP HERE!
I ate a sandwhich. I felt a tiny bit better. We kept on climbing. Five hours after we started the hike, we reached the top to see the pristine, emerald green lake. It was gorgeous, like something out of a nature documentary. We dipped our toes and splashed our faces and bodies. The water was frigid. We refilled our water bottles and treated the water. I felt better hiking back down with water in my possession. It took us 2.5 hours to hike down. This was one of the nights we did not cook on our Coleman stove. We had burgers in town. The cheat was so worth it.
Wow, your picture of Bea in front of the lake is so stunning! The water looks so emerald in colour!
Posted by: mamaUK | June 26, 2012 at 07:48 AM
oh man, at first I was thinking "wow, look at those aspens- look at all that amazing green and white!", but then you throw in the pictures of that incredible lake...... so now it's "wow, look at that lake- all that blue and green!" what GORGEOUS photos, Nichole~ love 'em!
it's a funny little dance, blogging... isn't it? we share these lovely photos and feel a little like we're lying if we don't add in at least a bit about the tantrums (child and adult), the bickering, etc.... at least I know I feel that way. I left my tantrum out of my recent camping post, just couldn't find a fitting way to bring it up. And honestly, there's probably something like that that I could add in to most of my posts, I guess it comes down to what I feel like documenting at the time in my little 'chronicle of our days'.
where did you go, by the way? I feel like I want to add wherever that is to my list of places to eventually get to!
xo
Amanda
Posted by: amanda (sweetpotatoclaire) | June 26, 2012 at 01:04 PM
Papa Live Free says,
My lecture consisted of - We are almost there and we came completely prepared - rope, compass, whistle, water tablets, knife, reflecting mirror, some warm clothes, ponchos (for rain and shelter). Also we were on a well traveled trail and a friend knew we going there.
So push on to the goal and remember the guy who swam halfway across the english channel, gave up, said he could not swim all the way across and swam back.
Oh and don't forget the retired seventy year vet who came down with us - after he summited the peak!
Posted by: Nichole | June 29, 2012 at 10:04 PM
my goodness.... those pictures are stunning!! looks like you had an amazing adventure :)
Posted by: Stephinie | June 30, 2012 at 05:23 PM