8th Mountain Adventure

     Our 8th Tuesday together was spent missing our crazy Aunt, who had fled to Canada in order to attend the famous Canadian Blueberry Festival. Though we missed her dearly, we challenged ourselves with an incredibly difficult, but reasonably distanced, hike, the peak of which was the delicious-sounding Pancake Rocks.

      After a late night, a very early morning, and a miscommunication concerning the location of the trail, we discovered the trail head at last. It was a steep climb, with menacing switchbacks and precarious rock formations, culminating in a brisk walk to the edge of the mountain. We took a small detour to climb a small waterfall and pose on the dam beneath it.

     To entertain ourselves, we found an entirely new treasure-trove of expletives, explored the range of Ubbi-dubbi, and stared into the depths of a blue sky spattered with rolling white clouds. Ultimately, we found ourselves at the top of the ridge overlooking the valley as it unfolded below us.

     We perched upon the pancake rocks and marveled- it was so pristine. Many pictures were taken, and many laughs were had. From our feet to Devi's sad sock adventure, we passed much time among the pancake rocks. How sad, to leave such a place, without the company of Katie. We carried her in our hearts, and found her on our way back down. Pictured, you will see her heart in the form of a rock, welcoming us back down the mountain.

     As promised, the three of us ventured onto a social trail near the end of our hike. We stumbled upon a small campground, hinting of Hobbit life on the hill. Further down was a small stream trickling down the heavy rock formations that jutted from the body of the mountain. Pipes were strung along its length, and their purpose has yet to be precisely determined. But it made a magical (and dangerous) adventure that warms my heart to think of.

     Documented by Devi's camera, here are a few of the photos taken from our endeavor to Maja Falls and the Horsethief Trail:

.

And with love, and some nausea, we made the long trek home. Until the next Tuesday...

7th Trail Tuesday!

It has been quite a while! Going back to our seventh trail Tuesday goes back to July 24th, when we revisited the hike that first brought us together on the mountain. It was a late night and early morning, but full of quiet moments and joyful smiles.
Clad colorfully and with flamboyant unprofessionalism, we wanted to meet the level of coolness that Katie had reached previously. Suzie rocked the angry birds shorts, Zac brought the attitude in Oscar the Grouch boxers and leggings, and Devi came in blue Charlie Brown pajama shorts. Of course, Katie led us up the mountain in her Spongebob towel shorts.

We had fun by the lake doing yoga, and marveled at the expansive valley as we hiked to the peak. Passing Dream Lake and meandering up to Nymph Lake, we elicited plenty of strange looks and confused stares, but it was more than worth it.

After a rest on the crags of Nymph Lake, we journeyed back down to begin another trail- the trail passing Alberta Falls and heading towards Sky Pond and Mirror Lake. Though the weather did not permit us to finish the trail, we fell in love with the scenery once again, and explored the social trails to our hearts' content.

So much beauty and so much majesty lifted this day. My pictures can only tell half the story- the rest lies in my heart.