Zer0-G
New member
Luck has been with me for the past two weekends and today is no different. The morning is beautiful, clear skies, relatively low humidity and a promise of dazzling views await as just reward for the effort.
Gail joins me on this trip today, a magnificent trail mate. It is always a pleasure to share the trail with her.
As the planning goes, it was simple enough, a through hike from the Marcy Airfield to the parking area by Cascade / Pitchoff on Rt. 73. Our first stop Blueberry Mountain.
The trail seems oddly in disarray and is quite the surprise from the more public launching area at the airfield. More rugged than we expected and certainly more entertaining than we could have hoped for. A playful trail inviting visions of what Blueberry Mountain must look like. That was more than enough to keep me climbing the unexpectedly steep trails. It’s hard to explain but this marked trail seemed more like a less traveled her path in places than a marked and maintained trail. I appreciated that as it fit very well as a segue from the previous days experience on Allen. There were no people save for a pooch and his talkative human who so kindly told us where a trail marker was.
Perhaps, due to the intensity of the previous day or in part that I was not alone, my mind seemed to be taking a break and enjoying all the sensory experiences that were offered up. It was a very sunny day and there were many exposed portions on this trail. Passing through the shady sections became a craving as did feeling the rush of each cool breeze across my face.
The sweet sounding name “Blueberry Mountain” was definitely out of character with the trail leading to its summit. It was not until we reached the summit that it all made some sense. The irony was perfect, an unexpectedly rugged trail which led to an abundance of unexpectedly beautiful views. I am not quite sure why Blueberry is the mountain’s assigned moniker, but it hardly mattered as from its summit a full view of Porter and Cascade is revealed. My number forty-one and forty-two. That was all I needed to make the remainder of that journey joyful and easy.
Blueberry Mountain stayed in my thoughts, unwilling to bid farewell. It was as if Blueberry Mountain, being subjected to living in the shadow of its two more popular siblings was showing its appreciation for the visit we made, the effort we put forth to appreciate its bounty.
Porter and Cascade, not just notches in the belt, but vantage points to take in views of a number of the peaks that are part of the 46r collection and Blueberry Mountain.
My number forty-one and forty-two.
I begin the process of acknowledging all the hard work and planning that put me here on the crest of completing the 46.
In view, to name a few, Gothic, Saddleback, Basin. For me, the more notorious and infamous peaks in my personal body of work, and still, a peek at Blueberry Mountain.
It is clear to me now, why Cascade and Porter are with me today. They are providing the foundation of appreciation, an acknowledgement of the expected and unexpected. I sense they are lending their support to the cause of all who appreciate the high places, a kind compassion, a good wish and a strong blessing for a safe journey. An appreciation and a tolerance of the lesser ones. We all have that Blueberry Mountain somewhere in our life, that unexpected unannounced jewel that is no less appreciated than the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Cradled in the essence of Cascade and Porter, grateful for the gift of humanity bestowed upon me by these two proud siblings, I set off with confidence and appreciation for all the “Blueberry Mountain’s” I have yet to meet.
Gail joins me on this trip today, a magnificent trail mate. It is always a pleasure to share the trail with her.
As the planning goes, it was simple enough, a through hike from the Marcy Airfield to the parking area by Cascade / Pitchoff on Rt. 73. Our first stop Blueberry Mountain.
The trail seems oddly in disarray and is quite the surprise from the more public launching area at the airfield. More rugged than we expected and certainly more entertaining than we could have hoped for. A playful trail inviting visions of what Blueberry Mountain must look like. That was more than enough to keep me climbing the unexpectedly steep trails. It’s hard to explain but this marked trail seemed more like a less traveled her path in places than a marked and maintained trail. I appreciated that as it fit very well as a segue from the previous days experience on Allen. There were no people save for a pooch and his talkative human who so kindly told us where a trail marker was.
Perhaps, due to the intensity of the previous day or in part that I was not alone, my mind seemed to be taking a break and enjoying all the sensory experiences that were offered up. It was a very sunny day and there were many exposed portions on this trail. Passing through the shady sections became a craving as did feeling the rush of each cool breeze across my face.
The sweet sounding name “Blueberry Mountain” was definitely out of character with the trail leading to its summit. It was not until we reached the summit that it all made some sense. The irony was perfect, an unexpectedly rugged trail which led to an abundance of unexpectedly beautiful views. I am not quite sure why Blueberry is the mountain’s assigned moniker, but it hardly mattered as from its summit a full view of Porter and Cascade is revealed. My number forty-one and forty-two. That was all I needed to make the remainder of that journey joyful and easy.
Blueberry Mountain stayed in my thoughts, unwilling to bid farewell. It was as if Blueberry Mountain, being subjected to living in the shadow of its two more popular siblings was showing its appreciation for the visit we made, the effort we put forth to appreciate its bounty.
Porter and Cascade, not just notches in the belt, but vantage points to take in views of a number of the peaks that are part of the 46r collection and Blueberry Mountain.
My number forty-one and forty-two.
I begin the process of acknowledging all the hard work and planning that put me here on the crest of completing the 46.
In view, to name a few, Gothic, Saddleback, Basin. For me, the more notorious and infamous peaks in my personal body of work, and still, a peek at Blueberry Mountain.
It is clear to me now, why Cascade and Porter are with me today. They are providing the foundation of appreciation, an acknowledgement of the expected and unexpected. I sense they are lending their support to the cause of all who appreciate the high places, a kind compassion, a good wish and a strong blessing for a safe journey. An appreciation and a tolerance of the lesser ones. We all have that Blueberry Mountain somewhere in our life, that unexpected unannounced jewel that is no less appreciated than the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Cradled in the essence of Cascade and Porter, grateful for the gift of humanity bestowed upon me by these two proud siblings, I set off with confidence and appreciation for all the “Blueberry Mountain’s” I have yet to meet.
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