A Misty Hike in the Cascade Mountains

The instructions to the trailhead were unclear, but just as we were considering turning around, we reached the small parking lot. The weather had kept away the crowds, and there were only a handful of cars in the lot.

Vibrant green new growth brightened the mist-dimmed forest. A mossy slope feathered with heart-shaped leaves of false lily of the valley entranced me into taking photo after photo — none of them quite capturing what I saw — and I scurried to catch up with my partner. I tend to hike (and travel) like this with other people — on my own, I dally taking photos and never really get in a hike.

We followed the short trail to the lake, arriving just as clouds closed in around Barclay Mountain. The forest grew right up to the edge of the lake. Rain dotted the dark lake, but the trees kept us dry enough. We munched a simple lunch of crackers and cheese, wondering whether the clouds would clear — to no avail. But the forest was striking enough I didn’t miss the mountain view.