I really wanted to take the family hiking ... thanks to cousin Lindsay and Aunt Pam's inspiration ... so I did some research and decided that the Secret Lake hike would be just right for my "unlikely to adventure" family. Here's some info that I found ... word for word: "...easy hike ... relatively flat ... very short ... 20 minutes to reach ... more of a stroll than a hike ... suitable for small children." Perfect. So, we head out enthusiastically ...
After about a 15 minute stroll (slightly sloped ... so we are a little winded) ... Krystal is done.
But ... we're only 15 minutes into it - and really - it's only a "20 minute" hike, right? We're thinking - this lake must REALLY be a hidden secret. With energy to burn - the kids climb the biggest rock they can find.
Well ... Aaron climbs ... Marissa is boosted, shoved, and supported - groaning the entire way ... er ... 1/4 of the way :):
Okay. We have now been hiking/not so much strolling for 30 minutes and there is a hill up ahead. To do: find some walking sticks ------ scratch that ----- carry Krystal:
Yes!!! We made it up that steep hill (after another 30 minutes and much huffing and puffing) ... where in the WORLD is the damn lake!?!
At this point we can look even further up the mountain and see several steep switch backs. This is certainly no "relatively flat stroll"! We have to sit down and seriously discuss what we should do now. Pros/Cons. Well - scenery and determination convince Tyler, me, and Aaron that we have to finish no matter what. Marissa is done. Krystal has been done for more than half the hike so far ... and Melynda has no regrets if she doesn't see the lake. :D!
Sooooo ... Melynda takes Krystal back down to the car. We convince Marissa to continue. We sit and rest for a good 10 minutes more. This is where we were ... M and Krystal are little specks back down on the "slightly sloped stroll" part:
Aaron felt pretty amazing since he thought "the hike isn't too bad" - and he "must be a really good hiker like his Uncle Kent" - and he flexed his muscles every now and then and what not. Me, Tyler, and Marissa continued to huff and puff every step of the way. And ... really it was only 4 steeeeeeep switchbacks to the top ... and the view was amazing and serene:
All in all, we're glad we went. Thank heavens M took Krystal back, though - 'cuz her little heals and toes all had sore blisters. Thanks M! We will be much better prepared next time for this "more of a stroll than a hike" hike. :)
8 comments:
Good job for sticking it out! It looks beautiful. Ahhh- a little stroll through nature - must have been a tree hugger who described the hike. (probably a tree hugging marathoner)
It was a pretty hike. It's so sad Krystal was done- :) her poor feet had blisters all over them. that is what makes me sad. Bless her Heart!
Looks like a great hike!! Can Aaron still remember talking to me from the top of Timp? That was quite some time ago! Love the pictures! I would have loved to be there with all the huffers and puffers! (I would have made Aaron run the hike with me! ;) ) - kent
=D Who writes those descriptions!?! I am glad that you had fun, even if it was way more hidden then it should have been! I sure love you guys!
I'm glad you finished the steep switchbacks - so worth it! Poor little Krystal. That is a good aunt to take her back - she is definately too heavy for steep switchbacks! I'm glad you had fun.
Too funny .We went on the same hike a few years back and it is definitely not a easy stroll through the woods. Good for you guys in sticking it out and making it to the top...at least a 300-500 foot climb if not more.
A stroll?? HA! I'm glad you're rewriting it for us real people! It does look really beautiful though. At least it was a satisfying end!
HAHAHAHA!! what a GREAT story!!! one of our family themes is "think of the stories!" and you guys certianly have a great story to share. so glad you did!! i love this post. how funny... oh man.... i love that you stoped and re grouped! haha, so funny that the lake discription was TOTALLY OFF! i love it! glad you finished it, looks so pretty!
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