The Upper Lake.

I can hear the world waking up around me. The water splashing along the stones, birds chirping from the trees, and the breeze blowing around me. Slowly I open my eyes to warm sunlight coming through the tent. My arms go up to stretch out and I wiggle my toes, waking my body before sitting up.

Crawling out of the tent I smile at the sight before me. The lake is so smooth it's like a mirror reflecting the rising sun to me. All the trees surrounding the area look the most beautiful green I've ever seen.

I go to my pack and find my mini portable stove and pot and collect some water from the lake. I set things up and start boiling the water to make it safe, from there I make myself some tea and breakfast and sit beside the water enjoying my morning before heading off onto the trail again.

After breakfast I turn to my things and begin packing up. It doesn't take long to get everything put away and my pack on and ready to begin again. I take another moment to look over the sigh of the lake before heading to my left where the trail begins again.

Back into the woods I go. Another 20 miles to go today and I'll be at the top of the lake on the overlook gazing over the world. I start at a good pace wanting to make it pretty far before taking a break. I eat snacks and drink water as I need along the way.

The lake comes into view every once in a while as I walk along side it. It is fun to see my progress in this way as I usually can't tell besides knowing where I'm going. After a while of hiking I am satisfied enough to take a break.

I should be about half way there judging from the time. I try and look to the sky but it seems to have gotten cloudy and I can't see the sun well. I decide to throw on a light jacket as the wind picked up and its gotten a bit chilly.

It seems like a good time for a break when I find a nice area looking over about the middle of the lake. I can see the trees on the other side and wonder if the trail is a loop around the lake. After eating a snack and finishing my break I am off again.

As I continue up the trail I notice it getting steeper as I go up to the overlook. It's really exciting to know that I am getting closer and closer to my destination. Another hour goes by and now there are only two hours left of the hike until I am at the top of the upper lake.

Out of the corner of my eye to the right I see movement and stop in my tracks. After a moment of staring into the trees a deer tail flicks and I see the camouflaged body of a doe in between some trees pretty close to me. I stand there and watch as she bends down sniffing the ground and eating something there.

I make the smallest movement and she looks up at me. I try and stay perfectly still as to not bother her. It is so wonderful watching nature. I make another movement and she looks up again and decides to take off running in the other direction.

I continue my hike and two hours later arrive at the edge of the trees coming onto an open rock where the most beautiful sight is before me.