Snow, Gem, Wildcat Lakes

~ Alpine Lakes Wilderness Trek ~

Oct 5, 2003

Gem Lake and Chair Peak © Ken James McLeod

We had come seeking adventure and view and we weren't disappointed. And once again, I had entered the high Alpine Zone, my heart was in full song and my being & soul content amid the gentle mountain breeze.....

Under a blue-hued sky and the intense bright sun, the water surface danced with shimmering-white diamonds upon Gem Lake. We came seeking the beauty of the Cascade Mountains in the fall strobe: the red-to-gold colors that dotted the Alpine land, sparkling gemlike colors of high lakes, the emerald-colored forest itself, and the humbling sight of stark-gray fractured pinnacles and peaks that engulfed the land.

We weren't disappointed to say the least!

Note: Snow and Gem Lake show extreme habitat degredation caused by overuse from abusive human activity, perhaps because of its popularity and media exposure over the years, and though there is restoration in progress, it will take decades for the surrounding ground to mend, perhaps never.

In well view of Wildcat Lake from rock clefts above I stated, "look there" as I pointed to the sky, to my friend Hans Helm who I was with this day.

Above us and not too far away, circling on gentle wind currents, soared a hawk. For many minutes we watched his flight. He seemed so removed from the (we) ground dwellers, free of all chains. And in the moments we watched, I sensed we both had the same feeling or realization that we were witnessing "real freedom" of a species. Oh how I wished I was that bird of prey at that moment. How wonderful that would be to soar over such grand land, I thought. And for a a split second or two, I was with him feeling the same wind beneath my own wings...

The day had been one of pounding trail and off-trail in seek of adventure. We had had the pleasure of talking to many other hikers along the way, sharing the same grand mountain realm and breathing the same fresh mountain air. Humanity, at least in this section of the world was "doing well" I thought. And everyone seemed tolerate of others in their quest of being in a woody atmosphere for the day. Hans and I had shared another fine day in the mountains. In so doing, I knew it doesn't get any better...

In the evening upon our return to the parking area, it felt good again to have "rubberlegs" from all the exercise of the day. Before leaving, I turned around to face the mountain area where we had spent the day, and in a surreal moment, I gave a little nod back to the thoughts of the hawk still in his realm and to the plane which we had trod...

KJM

(McPilchuck)

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