2013

As the sun slips into Utah's brillant atmospheric conditions, I take a moment to reflect on 2013.  This is was a year to plan my dreams.  I hiked, not as often as 2012, but still I hiked.  I spent fewer nights under the stars, but the nights I did taught me invaluable lessons mixed with great rewards for knowing how far I can go.  I took great cafefully planned strides, may be to well planned.

For 2014 I'm looking to define my box, climb out of it, and push for the horizon.  If nothing else, I don't want to see what's on the other side, more for the lessons of the journey.

Each year I write a prayer for the year.  2013 was the shortest and the most rewarding.  In thinking about 2014's it'll be about the same length.  I do prayers over resolutions as prayers are deeper in meaning.  Resolutions, to me, are lists, lists to define, mark off, and to compare.  Seldom has a resolution rssulted in the desired change, prayers have.

Here's to a great New Year.  May your footing be solid, your traction true, & you find that which you are looking for while loosing that which does you no good.

Desolation Lake Trail

Here is the image from the link in another post.  This is the trail enoute to the lake.  For more images of the hike please see my flicker page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/preyingjaws. The set is Desolation Lake November 2013.

Desolation Lake

http://www.flickr.com/photos/preyingjaws/11141486484/in/set-72157638224934993/

I'm copying the link and pasting it as text.  I hope the mobile blogger program inserts the picture.

Each weekend I get up expecting to get turned away at the mouth of the canyons with the sign saying 'chains or 4 wheel drive only.' So far I haven't seen it.

This weekend in keeping with my rotation of which canyon I hike, I went up Big Cottonwood Canyon.  I chose Desolation Lake for the lack of vehicles parked there.

Since it's been a couple of weeks since the last snow fall, I readied myself for mud and ice.  I wasn't far off.  The snow packed trail did not reveal itself until 2 1/2 miles up.  On the way down mud shoe covering deep presented itself several times.  I choose to walk through it, boots are cleanable.  It takes time and a lot of effort to repair damaged trails.

The lake covered with a thin layer of ice kept creakin and moaning under the warmth of the day.  I fixed a hot cup of noodles while scanning for wildlife.  Deer and moose tracks were bountiful on the trail and around the meadows I passed.