Tough trails and great destinations

Trail to Upper Lyman Lake

I was reminded on my long, arduous hike to Upper Lyman that most often to get to the really great destinations we need to travel along some difficult, lengthy trails.

People who have been successful in their careers, sports or hobbies often appear to be performing effortlessly. Watching the athletes in the Olympics, or members of an orchestra, it appears their outstanding performances are simple and fun. Yet we know that those seemingly effortlessness performances came as the result of years of study, practice and hard work.

Preparing me for my hike to Upper Lyman I had been actively biking and running. Years ago I used to run marathons, but over time my fitness goals have changed.  I'm now primarily focused on staying physically active so I can continue to enjoy great experiences, like the one I had on this long hike.

Lyman Lake

The trail to Upper Lyman Lake was even more glorious than I could have imagined. I felt like Julie Andrews, when she twirls and sings “The hills are alive, with the sound of music". I didn’t twirl and sing, but I did have to yell out “Cool” when I looked out from under the glacier at Upper Lyman into the surreal robin egg blue glaciated lake. The trail’s end was way cooler than I could have imagined.



View from under glacier at Upper Lyman Lake

Trail questions…

What have been difficult journeys for you that have lead to great results/destinations?

What have you had to do to prepare yourself to carry through along those tough trails?

When weren’t you prepared for the trail? What might you do differently next time?

Trail partners

Chris, Gerda and Noah on trail

I thought it best that I hiked alone on my big daylong track to Upper Lyman Lake and Glacier. A big reason for this was that I wanted to move swiftly along, yet often stop to take pictures. However, while taking a break on the shore of Hart Lake I noticed a threesome from Holden Village hiking along the high rocky lakeside slope. I quietly caught up with them on the trail shortly after Hart Lake. They were making their way to Cloudy Pass, but we shared a common trail for a few miles up to Lyman Lake, after which our paths diverged.

When I reached them Chris, Noah and Gerda were going at a steady, quite pace. Our silent hiking was interrupted briefly when Noah spotted a bear that rapidly ran off into the woods on the trail ahead. He offered to let someone else lead, and joking picked up a small branch as a defensive tool. We were all thankful self defense wasn’t needed.

Rest at lookout for Crown Point Falls

At the scenic lookout to Crown Point Falls we enjoyed a beak in the warm sun. What a pleasant conversation we had on that hike, with hardly a word spoken between the lot of us.

Crown Point Falls

Trail Questions…

With whom do you enjoy moving down the trail?

If you’re planning on a long hike, what are the things necessary for you and your partner to enjoy time together?

What is your hiking style; pacing, conversation, etc.?

What attributes do you look for in a partner?

What added value can you bring to time together on the trail?



View from Hart Lake, with hiking trail upper left (across rocky slope)



Packing lightly for the trail

Gerda, Chris and Noah on trail to Lyman Lake

On my big hike to Upper Lyman Lake I packed only my camera and a backpack with a food and water for the trip. I discovered even with this light load, the straps of the pack began to dig into my shoulders by the end of the hike.
I was reminded of the hiker that I met earlier in the week who started his 16 day hike with a pack weighing in at 90 pounds. He had been out bear hunting and was camouflaged from head to toe, and toting a rifle. Grinning ear to ear, he noted how he got his bear, which was now dressed out and staying cool in Ten Mile Creek. I was happy to only have my light load to carry.

I was reminded of the value of downsizing by someone who noted on how our possessions can weigh us down with all of the time they take to maintain.  For example, considerable the time it takes to maintain a home, yard and vehicles. When we’re spending time with possessions, its time we can’t be out enjoying the trails or the company of others (unless of course they're workign with us to maintain our stuff)!

While some of what we might carry on the trail might is of relatively little importance, and perhaps best not taken the journey, water is a must. I learned from the Washington Trials Association crew the importance of hydration. They like encourage drinking enough water so that their trial volunteer’s urination is “clear and copious”.

Chip on the trail to Holden Lake

Trail questions…

How much are you carrying on your back?

What might you be able to rid yourself of in order to make the load lighter?

Are you drinking enough water along the way?

Surpassed agendas at Holden Village

We've all got agendas, right?  Even when we're on vacation there are usually things we want to accomplish.  I had five agenda items for my visit to Holden Village that were all met or surpassed.

Rainbow trout at Holden Lake

1.  Relax and recharge.  I finished up 27 years working with the Kinship mentoring program recently, 21 as the executive director of Kinship of Greater Minneapolis.  I was needing to charge the batteries.  At Holden I was able to read, relax (including a hot tub with view of the mountains), enjoy wholesome food (yummy fresh baked bread), and even get in some successful trout fishing in a mountain lake. . Just being a part of the Holden community was inspiring.

Harvest moon via blind contour

2.    Renew.  I was looking to nurish the soul. This was acheived from attending  interesting classes while at Holden, including studies with Diane Jacobson, from Luther Seminary and Susan Briehl, an inspiring Lutheran pastor.  Daily evening vespers and morning matins were also part of the village experience. Much to my surprise, my favorite class was lead by a wildlife biologist, artist and nature writer, Heather Wallis-Murphy.  She diminished our inhibitions of drawing and painting by teaching us to draw blind contours.  This requires quickly sketching by only looking at the subject and not the paper. It was a great way to get the artistic juices flowing.  I translated this exercise with my camera by doing a freehand picture of the full moon.  I simply spelled out love in cursive while my camera's exposure of the moon was still open.

10 Mile Creek

3.  Take Pictures.  As evidenced in this blog, I was having a blast taking pictures.  Thanks be to God for digital photography.  I snapped 785 shots while at Holden and another 50 or so on the train ride home.  In days to come I'll be posting pictures from the trail.  There were times the beauty literally just about took my breath away.  The weather was mostly ideal, with highs in the 60's. The fall colors were in full regalia.  I was pleased to meet a new friend, Chip Mays, who also wanted to take pictures. We experimented with camera settings and had fun taking pictures of some of the mountains and the many waterfalls around the village. 

Well worn boots

4.  Breaking in boots.   I had a new pair of boots that had been sitting looking rather forlorn for years in my basement.  I was eager to get them finally broken in. It seems they weren't to be broken easily.  I had a couple of toe nails that ended up bruised, but I was able to avoid blisters.  My biggest hike, to Upper Lyman Glacier, I used my running shoes.  These worked well, save for the long trek on some rather sharp rocks. While fishing at Holden Lake I walked in the water with my boots to retrieve a lure.  Hiking back to the village with wet boots added the final touch to their breaking in ;-) 

Renewed trail to Honeymoon Heights

5.  Hiking.  I did a lot of hiking.  Some of the trails I went on included Monkey Falls, 10 Mile Creek, Copper Falls, Holden Lake (3xs), Honeymoon Heights, Hart Lake, and the granddaddy of them all, Upper Lyman Lake.  In addition to hiking I was pleased to work with volunteers from the Washington Trails Association on the trail to Honeymoon Heights (pictured right).  This was a fun group of volunteers that works hard to maintain trails throughout the state for others to enjoy.  I would highly recommend volunteering time with them.  It was a blast.