Blanca Lake — Monday, Aug. 18, 2014

Central Cascades > Stevens Pass - West

UM!!!!!!! So, I saw pictures of Blanca Lake and couldn't wait to see it for myself. I grew up going to Europe every other year and that turquoise water reminded me of outings so long ago.....of course back then I had no idea of the true wonder of nature. I should preface this with I was hiking with a 22 year old male and I am a young 44 year old female...well, at least in my head. I was already narrating my review within about fifteen minutes of stepping out of the truck...hmmm "holy shit" came out of my mouth at least a hundred times throughout the hike. I can't decide if I am just fooling myself that I am a hiker, but this hike was hard! Pretty much straight up, add ROOT hiking 101 to the experience and I caught myself tearing up a few times. I was never a fan of stair climbers at the gym and this was stair climbing for sure. The roots made it nearly impossible for me to look up and enjoy much around me.......I have to state here that others seemed to climb it easily......one woman talked so loudly the whole way up and down that we could hear her within fifteen minutes...she didn't even seem to be huffing and puffing which frankly made it more annoying.....ugh....yes...there is such a thing as inside voice when in nature. Made me appreciate my hiking partner that doesn't really talk unless he is waiting for me to catch up. I think the tears came from exhaustion and the ego fighting the urge to say "screw it" and head back to the car, but my partner was able to coax me to the lake. Yes, the lake is fabulous and yes I am glad I did it, but honestly, for me...I made it to the top and then the lake, so I wouldn't have to attempt it again. Had to use my sticks the whole way back.....OMG, climbing out of the lake sucked! Pros of the hike...hanging with Alex, the exercise, the meadows, the lake, tacos in Monroe at the end...it was all Alex could talk about going down! Cons of the hike......the roots, the 3 miles straight up that never seemed to end and not much love along the way to entice me further!