Part 3
We break camp, cross the creek and continue the ascent. Navigating fallen timber that blocks the trail seems like a piece of cake today with dry clothes and the sunshine. We push uphill for some time until the terrain levels off at which point, we enter a sort of wonderland of colorful flowers and granite boulders. Heading south, and according to the map, Peak 13,003 comes in and out of focus through the timber. Then the trail veers west, where a snow-capped ridge comes into view and a hundred yards, or so further, a body of water. This must be our destination. The water is placid and mirrors the rock ridge behind it.
Our bellies register that it’s past lunch time. I imagine ordering a double cheeseburger and fresh, hot fries with catsup, but I settle for some nuts and a power bar that Hiking Buddy offers. We munch quietly, our eyes focused on the clear, mostly still water of the lake, and the occasional expanding wave rings where fish hit the surface.
Day becomes afternoon, afternoon becomes evening.
We take in the sunset.
We are quiet.
We are satiated.
We are humbled by both the loveliness and loneliness of this high mountain lake in the wilderness and by the granite boulders, wildflowers, expanding wave rings in the water, hail, drying mountain laundry, rivulets of water dropping off a mossy ledge .
