Hike to Snow Lake

I went hiking today, far up in the Snoqualmie-Mt. Baker National Forest. A long struggle through powder and shifting snow, a trek deep into pine-covered canyons on a trodden path of day-old snowshoes tracks. It felt good, no, great. I don`t know why I stayed away so long and why the city holds me so tight. Perched on a ridge of snow, an entire valley of silence flowed up and over me. It makes me laugh every time, I forget so easily how real one feels up in the mountains, how solid and sure of existence. Up there moments come in unexpected places. I caught glimpses of the setting sun illuminating flowing clouds over a ridge-line, line after line of fading blue mountains stretching so far and unbroken surfaces of snow, unexplainably pure and somehow devoid of any humanizing characteristics.

I kept stopping and looking around, at the jagged peaks towering above me. I felt like I needed to take as much as I could with me, that it was my last chance that day for any happiness. Silly but as I began to drive back to the city it was with an increasing dread, like I was leaving something precious and special behind. Though once I cleared the narrow mountains the blazing evening sun set the snow-coated peaks and glistening rocks aflame. The rays struck the last vestiges of the autumn leaves, brightening their color until I swear they seemed a deep red and gold. Very distracting while driving.

But I guess Im writing this to try and capture the feeling of truly being out there. Standing in the snow, taking in a particular scene, thinking alot about different things. It just hit me then that there too many thoughts fluttering around and suddenly there were none. For a brief time I wasn`t even aware of myself, just all the textures, colors and sensations of the natural world. I dont think that does it justice but its like taking intense pride in all the surroundings without actually thinking about why. Anyway, it was a great hike.