The trail continued around the east side of the lake entering a gathering of trees forming an insignificant forest along the lake’s shoreline. From our viewpoint, the trees concealing the trail eventually dispersed on the southeast side of the lake, and the trail blended into the landscape. Using our imagination, we envisioned the route against the rugged terrain sloping into the lake. No point in taking a vote now, we had trekked to the lake and the consensus was to proceed with a lap around the lake.
Entering the woods, Tim immediately went into scouting mode. Tim always seems to be in the market for the perfect campsite for future reference. On occasion he has spoken of humoring Gavin with a hike and overnight Campout. This trail would be a viable option as the access to the lake that’s somewhat easy. Although Gavin might consider this trail an insult to his abilities, because he conquered a trail of greater ascent and distance. Gavin totally impressed me when he scaled of all else, Mount Pillchuck, and, he carried his own pack.
Of course he may have been carrying a newspaper in that pack. Nonetheless, 2,300 feet of elevation in three miles one way, and nearly back down again for a ten year old is an astonishing feat. Taking nothing away from Gavin, however, Tim did quadruple his pack weight by potato sacking Gavin over a shoulder the last remaining mile. No matter, to his Great Uncle Dennis, he became a “man-boy” that day. Leaving the trivial collection of trees, we discovered the trail navigated through a boggy area at the lake’s southern end.
In fact, it turned out to be a deceptively expansive area between the steep walls and the lake when viewed from the opposite end. Tim, leading along the path that at times accommodated a boardwalk, decided for the group to head out to a cropping of enormous rocks strewn along the south shore. Guessing to be around a hundred yards, the remote location would offer tranquility, and above all else, lack of people, who to this point we crossed paths with roughly a dozen trekkers. It would be the perfect location for lunch.
The location was perfectly fitting alright, for roughly ten minutes. A group of three arriving from the same route on the lake’s east shoreline, and with derivative thoughts of their own, chose the same location as us for their rest break of tranquility. The lake, at least two hundred yards wide and they selected the very next rock adjacent to ours, taking up residence a mere twenty feet away. Close enough, I could certainly toss a smaller stones and bean one of them anywhere on their body with consistent accuracy.
Nevertheless, we listened to their conversation as well as our own. If that wasn’t enough, a larger group of ten plus, coming from the exact same route, navigated to the exact same area, on a different rock just as close. Monkeys. Plain and simple, unoriginal monkeys. The fog transitioned to a low level front moving in from below and consuming the lake’s region. Heading our direction, the cover nestled in a couple hundred feet above the water covering the peaks while exposing half the steep walls sloping to the lake.
From a distance, we saw streaks of cascading water high up on the steep walls. Despite the weather, the all-around views were eye-popping and worthy lunch aspiring location. Tim and I followed Holly out on an alternate path through the boggy wasteland in search of the regular trail. At the edge of the soft vegetation, large boulders mandated a mild effort to maneuver around, through and over prior to locating the trail. Finally, we found the path a little further down the lake’s shoreline from where we originally stepped off it in pursuit of our lunch destination.
As we rounded the lake’s southwest corner, I glanced over my right shoulder in the direction of the hikers left behind, looking to prove my monkey see, monkey do theory. The group didn’t follow our lead proving the theory wrong. Holly led the group down the trail as it made its way down the west side of the lake. I followed and Tim held the anchor position, last. The cloud cover continued to move into the area from below the mountain, and all the while was keeping close tabs on it, I periodically attempted mental telepathy to possibly produce a glimpse of the surrounding peaks somewhere through the white layer.
The chances still looked grim. After being in the vicinity of the lake for over an hour, I sensed Tim could be stalling, waiting for that lucky break in the clouds. If he was stalling, that I would have been okay with that as I’m sure a glimpse of Pillchuck’s peak would have been quite the spectacle. Ahead, a section of land jetted out to a point on the lake’s edge and something on it had caught Tim’s eye . Leaving the trail, I watched him navigate down onto the point at lake level where he began surveying the area. As | followed, I quickly understood what attracted him.
The landscape and layout was another prime camp location. Our time on the point was short, gazing at the different views and taking pictures. Staging us looking into the sun, Tim took a few pictures of Holly and me, and in turn I snapped a few keepsakes of Tim. Reaching the junction again concluded one lap around the lake and nobody volunteered for a second lap, especially I. After noticing the water falls high on the flanking walls, the fast free falling water influenced my internal system calling for Mother Nature.
That was thirty minutes ago and the pressure continued to build. Possessing the simplicity of being male sometimes isn’t all that easy. With the region’s population rapidly increasing, and by wearing bright colors there wasn’t enough dense foliage to mask the obvious of me standing around doing my business. With Tim at point, Holly and I followed him down the path towards the trailhead. The time that passed between each group trudging up the mountain seemed to be shorter than the previous gap. Indeed a popular trail, even if the weather wouldn’t accommodate. The trailhead s close to populated regions, has easy access, and is short and not all that demanding with huge payoffs by way of views. When I saw Holly and Tim step off the trail to the right, I internally screamed “no, keeping going. ” This was the area we passed on during the ascent where grand views of the waterfall were available a few yards off trail. Tim and Holly were hunting for the perfect view; I hunted for the perfect tree. Selecting a different path, Tim chose to search up stream, and Holly and I chose a route down a moderate embankment to the ledge of the largest cascade.
Not wanting us to get too close, Tim promptly delivered a stern caution. Standing just feet away from the where the water gravitated over an exceptionally high ledge, the sound of the falling water once again proved to be an unbearable reminder of my present condition. With secure Balance, Holly each took turns leaning out with an outstretched arm, with camera in hand and snapped a few from above the falls ledge. When finished, Holly and I climbed back up the embankment looking for Tim and the trail. We located the trail; however, at first we didn’t locate Tim.
Quickly, I jumped to the conclusion that our picture seeking actions close to the edge made him nervous. After rejoining Tim at the original trail, I sensed that this last little excursion could be the last as the mission now would be to get down the hill. At least that’s what | hoped as the pressure continued to build. Fortunately, Holly took point and set the pace, and I didn’t worry in the least. She’s a fast worker when descending. The trailhead and parking lot came into view as we fast approached. Tim went to the truck, Holly and I went to the bathrooms.