The brisk wind stung my face and forced the blood to quickly leave my fingers. While my body was perhaps accustomed to walking trails throughout the summer, it was certainly not accustomed to the temperature. I had left the small empty parking lot headed for snowline which I found somewhere within the first two miles. The trail is in great condition with only a few downed trees about two thirds of the way to the pass, all easy to navigate for two legged beasts.
At the pass a strong wind kept me moving to stay warm and to avoid being buried by snow bombs plummeting from the entombed fir trees. Without a map to confirm suspicions, the route to Sprite Lake would have been more difficult due to the half a foot of snow obscuring most of the signs left by trails. I made it, however, with little difficulty and spent the next few hours meandering around the snow-covered landscape.
By evening the dripping water had turned into stalactites, and the clouds having evaporated in the dry air allowed the leftover warmth to ascend into the star filled heavens above. In the morning, I watched the sunrise and sipped tea while nibbling on my lemon olive oil cake—a great choice of breakfast considering the frozen nature of my other food options. In sparkling snow I returned the way I came, descending in the frosty air through open hillsides, foliage dressed for autumn, and a cool fall sunshine.
Comments