Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Hiking Resets Me


Nothing helps me forget my worries like going on a hike. I went on a good one with my hiking group last Saturday to Gibson Lake. We ascended through stands of pine trees and fields of wildflowers to the lake, which is above timberline.
Once there, some of the hikers wanted to keep going to the top of Whale Peak, which is the peak on the right side of the photo. It didn’t look too far away, so I decided to give it a shot. But looks can be deceiving. Soon I was huffing and puffing from the near vertical ascent to the 13,000-ft peak. We only got one-third the way up the mountain before we turned around due to some ominous clouds on the horizon. But, even at that point, the view of the valley was breathtaking.
At the end of the hike, I felt physically depleted, but emotionally recharged.






12 comments:

Lynn said...

What a beautiful place and day! That last shot is glorious.

jabblog said...

Wow, that is truly beautiful. You're so right - physical exercise exhausts but refreshes the spirit - well done, you!

MaryAnn Ashley said...

I get it... and enjoy a good hike too. The views are amazing!

Unknown said...

Wow. Fabulous. What a lovely place to live.

hokgardner said...

Spectacular! I love hiking, too. But we don't have much in the way of mountains around here. Plus, it's too danged hot.

I'm waiting for our trip to the beach in three weeks for my annual recharge. I'm happiest at the beach.

Crafty Green Poet said...

oh looks like a great hike! My prblem with hiking is vertigo, otherwise I love it too!

Quirky Mom said...

Stunning! I'd love to go out for a hike, and I just might this weekend now that it will be a reasonable temperature around here. :)

betty said...

its beautiful! wow, that was an ascent!! its neat that you belong to a hiking club; that must be fun to be part of; getting to explore places like this and spend time with fellow hikers!

betty

the mama bird diaries said...

I need a hike. How beautiful.

Wayfaring Wanderer said...

Nature is the best medicine!

TALON said...

What a gorgeous location for a hike! I'm jealous! That's one of the best feelings, isn't it? When you've had a great day of hiking and you're totally spent and naturally high at the same time.

Great photos!

TALON said...

What a gorgeous place to hike in! The photos are beautiful.

"...I felt physically depleted, but emotionally recharged..." -- that's such a perfect description of the ending of a successful hike.