The First Lake
From the Mint hut we started up a trail, a well defined thin dirt line carving through bright green mountain grass. This was the way to the first of two lakes. Despite some serious digging I haven’t been able to figure out if this first lake has a name, so I will continue to call it the first lake.
Time and time again I am amazed by how the slightest change in elevation can offer such a shift in perspective. As we climbed the landscape around us changed, the mountains looked closer and much larger, the hut below grew ever smaller. The trail was easy to follow, lined with beautiful grey boulders donning electric patches of green, yellow and orange lichen. Every so often, a patch of hearty pink alpine flowers collected around the base of these rocks. As the trail flattened out, reaching the top of the incline and merging into a route that traced along a ridge line, the first lake came into view.
I love cold water. So while Emily was happy standing on the ridge looking down at the lake, I needed to touch it. I climbed down, leaping from boulder to boulder, snow patch to snow patch, wondering the whole way if I should jump in. Probably not, the sky threatened rain which meant our nine mile hike out would most likely be a cold and wet day. It would be silly to risk getting too chilled before starting out on our hike. Instead, I whispered sweet nothings to the beautiful little lake, tracing my hand gently along its waters edge.
I climbed back up to the ridge to reunite with Emily and continue on to the second lake. The next lake was hidden behind another small incline, the lip of a bowl at the bottom of which the lake would be waiting for us. Along the way we maneuvered across a rock field, following scattered cairns marking the trail. I couldn’t help but turn back towards the first lake, I wanted to see it at every angle, every few feet of elevation gained. Each time, it was like seeing it for the first time again, its mesmerizing color, it’s still waters reflecting different parts of the surrounding peaks. This lake, whose name I do not know, was so peaceful, so content, a sight that filled me to the brim.
