Saturday was an alright day, cool but clearing, got up to low 60’s, it couldn’t decide what it wanted to do. I was the same way, couldn’t decide what I wanted or needed to do. One of the options was to drive into town and wax dad’s van which hasn’t been done yet this year. Sorry Dad, it’ll have to wait another week. Don’t worry I’ll get it done.
Here it is Sunday, now I can’t even remember what I did yesterday(other than mow the lawn)……but I do know that I was tired and didn’t feel well at the end of the day and was in bed before 9 which is unusual for me.
But today was different. Forecast to be completely clear and in the 70’s, I needed to go hike. Its been two weeks, and my body was feeling the need, the woods were calling me. But yet again, I couldn’t decide where I wanted to hike. New or repeat? Long or short? All I know was I wanted something that would give me a choice of halfway if I was tired or all the way if I thought I could handle it. While most any trail is that way, I chose Snow Lake/Gem Lake, which I’d last done a couple years ago. Snow Lake is first at 2.5 miles, Gem Lake another 1.5. Its one of the most heavily hiked trails in the area, and today was no exception. I got there right at 9am and was surprised how many cars there were in the lot. Dozens. There were half a dozen people who started the trail the same time as me, but I was in front and never looked back and was apparently much faster than them, never saw ’em again. I even passed about a dozen people on the way to Snow Lake, got there in an hour, and, without stopping other than briefly, decided I had enough energy and couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t keep going to Gem Lake, and I arrived there a little after 11am. I saw only a handful of people on that section of trail, not as many people continue on from Snow Lake. Its more for real hikers and campers who want to get away from the loud groups and families who only go to Snow Lake.
I walked halfway around Gem Lake and found a quiet sunny spot in a rock(talus) field right down at the lake edge, and sat down on a comfortable one with my back against a flat one and enjoyed a breeze and much needed sun warmth for almost 2 hours. Only a few other hikers passed by, very enjoyable and quiet. Had my lunch and listened to Prairie Home Companion which I recorded Saturday on my mp3 player/recorder.
Just before 1pm another couple sat down a few hundred feet away to rest, and a fisherman started flyfishing nearby. I didn’t see anything jumping during the time I was there so I doubt he had any luck. At 1 I decided it was time to amble on back. Its a very rocky hike between Snow and Gem lakes so its slow going downhill. Got back to the car at 3pm to an incredibly full parking lot. Some people were just starting out too, which is okay at 3, they still have time. But its getting darker sooner now and that won’t work too much longer.
I would have posted photos here if I took my camera. But I didn’t because I’ve been here before, so you’ll have to go see them in my homepage to the left (under LINKS or at http://www.cattrain.net/hiking.htm) and check them out there.