Hiking Katherine’s Pass

HC had an alternative motive in hiking the Albion Basin, scoping out new trails to come back to when it was just his lonesome. He found two trails that got his heart pumping, one to Secret Lake and another up Katherine’s Pass. When he returned a few days later, he settled upon trying the later hike. The trail map made it look pretty challenging, with a summit at around 10,500 feet and the chance to perhaps scramble to another peak and try to make this a loop hike that may take him down to Secret Lake, if he didn’t get lost…or injured…or struck by lightning.

To avoid paying a road toll, HC chooses to walk up the 1/2 mile road that takes one to the start of the trail. This gives him time to acclimate, stretch the old legs, and take in the scenery before the hard work begins. A deer is spotted just as he gets going, always a good sign he believes.

People running and on bikes pass by him, but he pays them no mind other than to wave and occasionally give a friendly “hiya” as they pass on by. Before long he reaches the parking area for those that paid the toll, and finds the start of the trail. It is only a couple of miles to the summit, but the route is a pretty good incline for most of the way. The sweat starts to fall from his brow quickly, and HC checks and rations his water as to make sure it will last the day. After passing a few other hikers as they are on the descent, he is quickly alone, only a large marmount is curious about him as he climbs.

HC comes to a high meadow, the wildflowers in full bloom. The smell is intoxicating. He feels so alive, healthy, and carefree. He stops to rest and take it all in, and as he does, a couple solo female hikers pass on by. HC smiles as they pass, hopefully letting them know that they should feel as safe up here as he does. Nature is to be enjoyed by all, and the only danger should come from animals, not other humans.

Energy and strength from when he was ten years younger returns as HC is making the final push up the mountain. He can see the summit ridgeline that should open up and give him a fantastic view. As HC crests that last incline and see’s Katherine’s Pass and the mountain lake below, he stops breathing.

The trail does continue up to the highest summit point, but his water levels and confidence in being able to scramble up at this elevation convince HC to turn back around and try another lower trail that split a mile or so down the mountain. This was the right decision to make, and he loops around the ski resort and the summer campgrounds. So ironic that when he lived here a decade ago that all HC did was travel to new places, and didn’t take the time to just enjoy what was in his backyard, so to speak.

He supposes though that life happens for a reason, and that he should just be grateful to have this time now. No reason to regret, only to take full advantage of the here and now.