In 2014, my son and I did our first just-us trip. It was epiphanic! We spent three days in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness growing closer with each step. Since then I had hoped to split the girls' next trip in two, but circumstances conspired to keep it a single trip and just one night.

This year, though, I was determined. Lilly and I set out for the Goat Rocks Wilderness on an adventure that would be new for both of us.

Our first day was long and hot. The drive took us through Mount Rainier National Park before another hour on dirt roads. From the trailhead the trail climbed slowly through trees until reaching Snowgrass Flat. This was my first thought for our first night. It's close, beautiful, and provided lots of options for our second day. Lilly had other plans.

She wanted to keep going. Goat Lake was the destination she had set for herself and Goat Lake was where we were going. The look on her face was of deep fatigue, but her eyes sparkled with determination. We continued on and she gained strength as we got closer. The route is mostly in the open, high on the eastern edge of the Goat Creek valley so we could see exactly where we were going. Goat Lake's bowl shone like a beacon for her.

When we arrived I thought she'd collapse. Instead, she headed into the water. Then she got out. It was cold. That was pretty apparent from the way others jumped in and immediately retreated sputtering and blue. I put my feet in, but I couldn't take it either.

We set up camp and enjoyed a traditional Mac and Cheese dinner. Then I performed a little trail magic to the delight of Lilly and the envy of others. POPCORN

Sure, everybody has made JiffyPop on a campfire, but have you done it on a JetBoil? The trick is to keep the popcorn moving while allowing the flame to get the popcorn popping. (Affiliate links help support moosefish.com.)

Actually, the trick was keeping the popcorn a secret from Lilly. She's pretty good at sniffing out treats. Surprising her was key to making it a moment she'll always remember. (We even came up with a new fist bump to commemorate it.)

The next day we woke to goats on the hill above the lake. Day two of our three day trips are all about exploring what's around us. I had planned to take Lilly up Old Snowy, the highest point on the PCT in Washington, but that's not what she had in mind. Instead, she made me promise to go swimming after a hike to the high point above the lake.

From Goat Lake we followed the Lily Basin trail (of course) past the most intense display of wildflowers I've ever seen. The land is fairly dry except where the snowmelt flows down into the valley in shallow gullies. Those gullies were bursting with all the colors. Most striking were the pink monkeyflowers. Standing where the trail intersected the flow felt like we were standing on rocks in a river.

Lilly decided she wanted to continue working on her photography skills so she took the good camera leaving me with my iPhone. Back in the day, this would have been a real bummer, but the iPhone's camera (a 6S) has come a long way. If I could slap a real lens on it and have manual control I'd be all set. On the upside, Lilly was able to take some great photos and learn a little about the settings.

Her number one subject were the marmots at the lake. It's pretty clear they're habituated to people, which is a bit of a problem. However, they weren't approaching looking for food or cuddles (though the latter might have been fun). Instead, they posed with Mount Adams as a stunning backdrop. Good thing I brought a second memory card. (Don't think she was the only one intent on taking pictures. I have approximately one million star pictures that would counter that belief.)

Hawkeye Point is an old fire lookout site and there is some debris still present. We didn't stay long, though. The summit was swarming with flying ants and they were keen on swarming on everything including us. We quickly retreated to a little saddle below the summit for lunch.

I'm not super excited about getting right up to the edge, but she wanted to look over. It's about a thousand feet down to the lake and it would not have been a gentle tumble. But while she likes to look she's also prudent in her choices so she wasn't in any danger, though my belly was a little knotted up. Most importantly, she stood up high above everyone else and reveled in the fact that she had climbed so high and overcome the obstacles in her way.

Back down at the lake I watched as she went all the way under and then I followed because I said I would. I really need to better consider my promises because it was so amazingly cold it hurt deep inside. Lilly was cold, too, but did it several more times.

The cold faded to comfort and then to hot. I wasn't about to go back into the water so we made shade in the tent and lay down to read and nap. Still too hot, we filled containers with snow and used them as reverse hot packs. Aaaahhhh. (This, like the popcorn, was considered to be pure magic.)

Our hike out the next morning was a continuation of the loop. Only the crossing of the wildflower waterfalls was repeated and that was ok with both of us. We took our time both on the minor climbs and the long descents. We had all day and only about six miles. The first stretches were in the open with views to Mount St. Helens, but soon we entered the trees and it was a simple slog. (The trail along the western slopes of the valley was far superior, but making a loop was still a good plan.)

Once again, I learned something new on an adventure with my kids. (If it seems this happens every time I go out with them you're correct.) Letting them set the pace, make decisions, and hike their own hike is the best thing I can do. The best way I can empower them to take control is to make it a one-on-one experience without the complications of siblings or friends.

And when times get tough, a little trail magic goes a long way.