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When the alarm went off yesterday morning at 2.30am (“Didn’t I just fall asleep?!), I lost a little of my previous enthusiasm for going on my first real hike alone with Erik. We were both moving rather sluggishly
, but at 3.00am, with our 2 year old still snug in bed under the care of his grandmother, we were out of the door and driving to the Longs Peak Trailhead. The road was deserted and we anticipated finding only 2 or 3 cars in the parking lot on this weekday. To discover the parking lot almost filled to capacity was a bit of a shock, but we found a spot and were on the trail by 3.20am. Air, I need air!
For me it was the first time hiking at night and I had been a little anxious about it. However, instead of being spooky, it just felt incredibly peaceful. Even though the parking lot had been full, for the first mile we met only two people. Erik had warned me that the first stretch might be a little tough. I’m glad he had. If I hadn’t known this, I might have turned back at several points. I had also begun to feel weak and light-headed. I remembered that I hadn’t eaten anything since 5pm the previous evening. After stopping for a granola bar and a few sips of Gatorade, I felt like a new woman… well, almost. The trail was still very challenging and the air seemed to be a lot thinner than usual. I was finding it hard to get enough air in my lungs. Erik tried to engage me in conversation all the way up, but all he got was some “Monga” grunting in return. (I’m pleased to report however that this was the closest Monga got to making an appearance - even after Erik whacked me in the face with his tripod later on in the hike
). Treeline
Near tree-line, we passed a group going up Longs. It was starting to become very windy and cold. I wondered how they were going to make it. Some were dressed rather scantily in shorts and thin t-shirts, with tiny backpacks that could not have held more than a few sandwiches. But at least they were starting at a reasonable hour, unlike the many hikers we met on the way back.
Soon after we hit treeline, we had put on all our layers: long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, coats, hats and gloves. After working up a sweat on the first stretch, it was hard to imagine how cold it could be up there
. The reward for reaching the tundra was well-worth the effort of the hike up. The sky was full of stars, you could see the lights of “The Valley” twinkling below and we got our first glimpses of the dark summits of Longs, Meeker and Mt Lady Washington. On the trail to Chasm
(This is one of Erik's previous pictures - just to show what the area is like.)
At 5.10 am we reached the turn off for Chasm Lake. The trail gets easier at this point as it is fairly flat and even goes downhill for some of the way. When we reached the base of the final climb up to Chasm Lake, it was still dark. Erik thought there wouldn’t be much of a sunrise because of a cloud bank on the horizon and therefore we should wait for the first light in the relatively sheltered area where we were standing below. I wasn’t completely convinced about there not being a sunrise, but Erik was sure
. When the sky began to lighten, we started up the last little stretch to Chasm Lake which was steep, rocky and needed hands in places. Again, it was well worth the effort. Being at the base of the Diamond, surrounded on almost all sides by towering peaks, is a totally awe-inspiring experience.
(The low light, a 20 sec exposure and one fidgety subject, didn't make for one of Erik's best pictures, but it's a great memory.)
Surprised by a sunrise
We didn’t spend long up there as it was very cold and “there wasn’t going to be a sunrise” so we soon started to make our way down. On the scramble down, the sun suddenly decided to make its appearance in a stunning and beautiful way, shedding gorgeous warm light on the sheer rock faces (am I allowed to say: “I told you so!”?
). Erik then decided it would be better to try to make it to Columbine Falls for some sunrise shots, so he began to run down the trail. When I eventually caught up, he was still taking pictures of this unexpected and glorious sunrise and we reveled together in the beauty of God’s amazing creation. Down the mountain
I thoroughly enjoyed the hike back. We managed to avoid the cows at Jim’s Grove and made good time back to the trailhead. We were home by 8.30am, ready to start the day – or at least ready for a strong cup of coffee
. It was a great experience and I’m eager for my next adventure.(Note: I learned later that Erik woke up sick that morning and did all this feeling absolutely lousy. He didn’t tell me as he wanted so much to give me the chance to do this. What a guy!
)
). The whole "nothing happening at sunrise" episode and RhondaM's post remind me of some Kate Campbell lyrics:
