Last night I had my tent in convertible mode and so I woke up this morning to the sun and just laid there for awhile resting my body before getting up. Grabbing the bear spray and some water Travis and I walked back over to the cooking area and boiled water for coffee. While he ate the granola cereal with hot water I had a slice of bread with peanut butter and honey. Once we had everything cleaned back up we went back to our site and rested for awhile longer. Around 10:00 or 11:00 we decided we should get going if we were going to do a hike up the to the pass today. The plan was to hike up to said pass which would be a ten mile round trip. Since it was only a day hike I took out my day pack and placed my 2 liter water bag inside along with a cliff bar and a few other essentials. Putting that pack on after having that huge 50 pound pack felt like I was walking on air. Since I didn't have the huge straps of my other pack I strapped my gun to my right hip and placed my knife on my left. I was now ready to take on anything!
Setting out on the trail we felt great and energized! The trail started off along the lake within the woods with ferns and other plants that rose up and over my hips almost concealing me from view. I felt like I was walking thru a wall of green and could become lost forever. The hike was ten miles but was not strenuous and I never became out of breath. As we hiked the views were beyond spectacular and the landscape seemed to be painted on a canvas of colors. We passed large thundering waterfalls that poured snow melt water into crystal clear streams that drained into even more pristine lakes where the water is the bluest blue I have yet to come across. The lakes looked like something out of a Caribbean postcard.
The first waterfall we came across was pouring water into a secluded lake and as we moved further up the mountains the waterfalls poured snow melt water from their summits in spectacular fashion! Wildflowers dotted the landscape with different hues of purples, pinks, reds, blues, and white. The trees were of the darkest green and the landscape was saturated with color. I truly could not get over how beautiful this area was. We were literally at the border to Canada hiking among a pristine landscape that looked as those it was painted by the brush of an artist.
Some time around 13:00 we came across the family from yesterday and said our greetings. Moving on we had to ford a few streams whose water was so cold it actually hurt ones feet to wade across. When we reached the pass the land opened up into a scene from a portrait and I was blown away yet again! Reaching the top we had a great view of the valley below and the surrounding mountains. We sat up there for sometime eating a cliff bar that we split and I laid my pack against a rock and laid back looking out across the mountains and as I took a deep breath I thought of how blessed I am to be here in this moment. I could not have dreamed of anything better.
Around 15:00 we decided to head back before it started getting dark out and we had to try to traverse back without light. As we descended, we decided to jog down the first stretch of the mountain and that was a blast and felt amazing. Making our way back I felt so alive! The way back to camp was all down hill and just as beautiful. We made it down quicker than we did going up which was to be expected and at around 17:00 we were back at camp. At camp we ditched our clothes for swimsuits and headed to the lake. This time I walked up to my hips and dipped my hair in the ice cold water while Travis dove all the way in.
Once we were dry and in our camp clothes we continued our routine and went to the cooking area to make dinner. It was nice that for once no on else was around while we cooked. Tonight on the menu was a peanut butter and honey sandwich for an appetizer followed with the backcountry pantry cowboy chili dehydrated meal. When it was done cooking in the bag we opened the bag to a glorious smell! The chili was one the best I have had and was so tasty, spicy and hearty. It filled me right up and tasted divine. After we had demolished the bag of chili we cleaned up and by 19:30 we were both in bed. Though sleep would not come to me tonight.
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