Sore quads. Good pictures. Sunshine. A successful weekend. This is my new favourite Lower Mainland hike--must be the emerald green, crystal clear water plus clean air plus pounding lungs.
I had attempted the hike the weekend before, but the rangers closed it due to bear activity. I was secretly happy, as I don't do steep climbs well, thanks to my general laziness and layers of insulation. But I soldier on. My wonky depth perception troubles me on uneven surfaces, too, which this hike had in plenitude. In retrospect, I wish had taken more pics of the terrain to remind myself that I did it.
I had attempted the hike the weekend before, but the rangers closed it due to bear activity. I was secretly happy, as I don't do steep climbs well, thanks to my general laziness and layers of insulation. But I soldier on. My wonky depth perception troubles me on uneven surfaces, too, which this hike had in plenitude. In retrospect, I wish had taken more pics of the terrain to remind myself that I did it.
The beginning of the trail is deceptive--flat and wide. It quickly climbs at the trail head. Rocks, roots, switchbacks, sweat. I stopped looking up because I was tortured by the dots of neon from the fit hikers climbing up, up, up. Evil little beacons. A quick rest at the graffiti rock, which turned out to be the top of the elevation gain. | |
Thankfully, the lake was just a few hundred meters ahead. I immediately forgot the steep.
The trail guide warned that the popularity of the trail means solitude is no longer an option, and the groups of hooting teens and weekend warriors attested to that. But no matter. The beauty of the water won out.
In the immortal words of the Terminator: I'll be back. Next time with a friend who will patiently help me over the rockfalls and onto Greendrop Lake a few kilometers further.