Up on the mountain

I parked at the bottom of the trail. Today was the day of our hike. The sky offered promises of both snow and sunshine.

In the parking lot the five of us collected our water bottles, backpacks and trekking poles from the trunk of the car. Then we each ate one more home made square before shouldering our packs.

The trail led underneath the road we had come in on. The fresh snow from yesterday's snowstorm made everything look like a Winter wonderland, again! Tomorrow is May!

Yet we could tell Spring was just hiding. We heard running water, sometimes right underneath our feet. Later, we saw that on the south side the hill was getting green.

We got to the first wooden bridge, and watched the water through a hole in the ice as it hurried on down the mountain. The snow on the bridges was still almost a foot high.
Under the trees the snow was still deep. We were thankful that the trail was already broken by earlier hikers. The snow was knee deep when you stepped off the path.

It was not long before we had to take a break. Climbing made us warm, so we wanted to take off a layer or two. This was also a good opportunity to dig around in our packs for a baggie of gorp, or other snacks.

When we got to the first trail map, there was general dismay (or was it mostly me?): had we only come this far?
One foot in front of the other. The sun disappeared, and an occasional snowflake drifted down. What was that? Thunder!  What a strange combination of weather conditions!

Another trail map. Now it looked a lot better! We were close to half way, and the first view point. There we undid our packs and had lunch. The one burner stove provided us with hot water for a cup of tea: a welcome addition to our cold food.

The snow came down heavier. It looked like kernels of corn, or packing pellets. I put my coat back on, and dug up my  toque and mittens. Then we  resumed our trek back to the parking lot.

This part of the trail faced south, so it was very muddy, but the view over the valley was beautiful. There was the cut line again that we had crossed earlier on the north loop.Slipping and sliding down the path, we stayed away from the steep embankment.

It seemed sudden when we came upon the same map from that morning: We did all that?

The last piece was level. That was good, because I was getting tired. The snow we had walked through that morning had melted. Now it was  more mud. Then more snow, so our boots got clean before we got to the car.

O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds thy hands have made!...
Then sings my soul , my Saviour God to Thee, How great Thou art, how great Thou art!!

A beautiful day. Thank you, Jesus.