The northwest wind slapped my face and the bitter cold air stung my nose. It was 23 degrees, with a 15 mph wind, but I needed a strenuous hike.
Yesterday I indulged in a splendid dinner with my friends (and occasional hiking buddies) Jeff and Marie and their family. Today was the perfect day to include the steep stretch of trail from the natural caves to the park-approved shelter in my hike. I bundled up in my warmest clothes, including my wool balaclava, which covers my face and got out early.
Moving at a moderate pace, I was no longer cold by the time I got to the summit. Negotiating the steep down slope presented a different challenge. A patina of ice covered every toe-hold. I have extra padding on my posterior, so I slid down the icy rock to the next level spot. When the real freeze sets in, I doubt I’ll be able to hike this stretch, even on snow shoes.
The sun did little to warm the air, even when the wind died down. An opaque layer of ice has formed at the edge of the lake stretching to the submerged log. It’s hard to believe just a few days ago it was 70 degrees and painted turtles sunned on that log.
The only living creatures out on this morning besides me were a mixed flock of nuthatch, chickadee and titmouse. They sing and sumersault with the wind gusts, swooping down to the forest floor to peck partially devoured bits of acorn or hickory left behind by chipmunks.
I took a few minutes to study the tiny hole in the nutshell and the minuscule tooth marks. Frost heaves rose up like crystals from the muddy trail. All traces of yesterday’s coyote tracks were gone.