It's pretty rare that I put aside a goal while hiking without getting myself all tied up in knots. I used to be really bad, but have been getting better over the years. My first big victory over summit fever was on Mount Hood when we turned back due to dangerous conditions just below the summit. Less than a year later we returned and got our summit. (And even that "summit" wasn't the real summit because the winds were too strong for a safe crossing.) Since then there have been plenty of other non-summits and turnbacks when it wasn't safe or we ran out of time or decided it was a bad idea to begin with.
Two years ago, I got a glimpse of a gorgeous alpine valley beyond a frequently visited lake. It was a real eye opener to find something so wonderful just beyond a mediocre lake I'd seen before. I ran out of time on that trip and really, really considered being late getting home so I could see what was over the ridge. I decided to do the responsible thing and turn for home, but put a pin in my mental map so I wouldn't forget this was a destination I had to return to.
A year came and went without another trip. Dang. I wanted it even more. Especially when I saw others incorporating the route into long days covering some really interesting ground.
This year I found the right day and headed up. Just like earlier trips, the trail was deserted in the early morning and we made good time. I avoided tempting detours and climbed past both lakes and through the trees. The valley opened up before us. A ribbon of snow extended to just short of the pass that was our destination. This was actually better than the last time we were here and made our travel quicker. Even before the snow ran out we found a trail winding up through the trees. Steep, but easy climbing.
And what did we see? Was it worth all the effort to get here and the longing over two seasons? Yup.
On the other side of the pass a steep snow slope dropped to the barely melting lake. Just like the electric blue lakes we'd seen earlier in the year, this lake was rimmed in turquoise. Most other lakes were melted out, but this water sits in shadow on the north side of the peak so it only melts out late in the year.
Beyond the lake I could see routes we'd taken to other destinations. Some were close by while others loomed on the horizon. All these mountains were just waiting for us. In fact... I could just glissade down to the lake and connect to the trail on the other side of the ridge. From there it'd be an easy hike back to the road and I'd only have to hitch a short distance... Nah.
Like the views from this place, that experience will be there next year or whenever I make it happen. There's no rush. Plus if I wait, I can leave a bike at the exit point and coast back down to the car.
