“Pack a swimsuit and towel, we’re going to the lake today,” our editor commanded.
“Where?” We wanted to know. “Should we take the red one as well as the blue in case we do a lot of swimming?”
“Seeing you only have one with you, Smart Alec, take it. We are climbing to 10,400 feet with an elevation gain of 3,600 feet, a distance of eight miles round-trip. By that time, you will be sweating profusely; the water will be inviting presuming you make it. Good idea?”
After learning the terminology from the southern gang the previous night, the wedding party guests we mentioned, we nearly exclaimed, ‘Yee-haw’. However, we are not ready to be a Texan just yet so we smiled ‘sweetly’ and set out again to attempt another climb on Mount Shasta. What a day! Shasta is a wonderful edifice but also heartless and tough. From close, she is hard, covered with rocks, boulders, scree and little vegetation. On the sides of the sort-of-trail (there is no real trail), are jagged rocks that are haunting and powerful. However, the snowfields and glaciers provide the relief that tones down her harshness. We’ll begin to worry when we start dreaming of her. Jenni mentioned should that happen, she’ll bring a lawsuit against the US Forestry Department for ‘alienation of affection’.
The day began warm and cloudless. However, once we arrived at Bunny Flat, the trailhead, the clouds became active over the peak. We trekked through a forest for 1.8 miles before arriving at “Horse Camp’. From there a causeway of rocks that continues for half-a-mile or so took us higher. Then it is uphill all the way on rough footing up the western side. (Last week we hiked the eastern slope). First stop is ‘50:50’ where some pitch tents. The next stage, our destination, is Lake Helen. When we looked at it from below (at 50:50), lousy odds, we were amazed at what we still had to climb. We headed up, lost sight of the ‘trail’, recaptured it, crossed a snowfield, moved higher and then noticed a slightly worn path on the far side of another snowfield and decided to re-recapture a path there. We made our way across and in a calf-aching climb, reached the destination.
In the early stages of the hike, it began to rain and the clouds looked ominous. Our dear editor pushed on and upwards but after a while, her fear of possible lightning caused consternation. She was gracious in deciding to turn back and encouraging the rest of the team (team?) to continue. It began to snow, something we do not know much about, but we now had the ‘bit between the teeth’ and we were going upwards, snow or rain, until we reached Lake Helen. After all, why carry a swimsuit and then decide not to use it.
The scenery changed, becoming predominantly more dramatic with large snowfields and harsh rock faces—really powerful stuff. We reached the ‘Lake’ only to find it completely snowed under. Big surprise. (Of course, we knew that). It was a moment that provided a very uplifting feeling just like many do. We did not mention that we kept glancing away from the mountain as we moved up to view the many ranges in the distance as well as Siskiyou Lake and the City of Shasta. The contrast of snow and gloom on the mountain with sunshine in the valley, too, was dramatic. At that stage, it was appropriate to say a blessing to the Master. To be alone, on this massive mountain of rock and snow, with views stretching a hundred miles is beyond description. It is an incredible feeling not only a physical experience.
With snow falling hard and a slight worry about finding a way down, off we went after a quick snack. That was a disappointment as it would have been wonderful to sit longer and take in so much more that Shasta offers. After descending more than a thousand feet, we met a woman of amazing spirit and zest for life—what a privilege. We swapped stories with Linda and found much common ground. “Wait for me, Jeffrey,” she said, “I'm going back with you.” This woman recently fought off cancer, had both knees replaced and is some ten years older than us. “Yes, Ma’am,” we answered, “we’d be honored and delighted—just don’t run too fast.”
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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