I plan for days on what hikes I want to take next. I gather my hydro pack, trail mix, and backpack, and take off to an unknown destination. I have plenty of trails in my mind I want to take, but as I drive down the road to the trailhead I notice another trail. I don’t remember seeing the trail marked on the maps. So I pull over, jump out of the truck and start trekking into the wilderness.

At last, I am surrounded by the wild untamed Earth. This trail starts off easy, as it is fairly flat, then suddenly canyons appear before you and the trail leads inside. Some parts are steep, with the loose soil sliding between my hiking boots and the Earth, there is a huge fall if I make one wrong step. The trail thins and it starts to look more like an animal trail.

I find  a root sticking out of the side of the cliff so I sit down for a moment.I take in deep breaths, not only to get a smell of the clean air, but at close to 8,000 feet the air is thin. As I look around, the beauty of nature starts sinking in. I notice an Osprey nest, hearing them squall over the wind rustling through the trees, kinda makes time stand still.

I see a ridge ahead, I have to go investigate. As I get closer I start to hear water, and the smell of water is in the air. This gives me a little more ump in my step as I sprint closer to the ridge. As I approach, a new horizon appears before me, I am paralyzed by the awe, the sheer beauty. There is a small waterfall, cascading down, over a span of about 50 feet wide. Its at a low angle so its not a dramatic free falling water fall.

This is where I sit back, open my backpack and start peeling an orange. I am all alone, with no one other than my self to keep me sane. I sound of the water running, almost puts me to sleep, but then as I am sitting there having the time of my life, I gaze across the stream and see some coyotes. They look up at me as if I wasnt even there. They have come for rehydration, and they know I am no threat to them. They don’t stay long, just passing through as if they was on their way to dinner or something.

As I sit here I wonder what makes me want to hike? I find peace when I am surrounded by the wilderness. Always wanting to explore and see things I have never seen before. I mean I kinda stumbled my way here, as I progressed the trail just disappeared. Did I leave the trail somewhere? Has this place ever been found before? Am I the first to see it? Its questions like these that make me feel whole, being in places that has such solitude, it holds a special beauty.

Now the day is getting late, I must start my journey back before the sun sets. I look around making sure I don’t leave anything behind. I would have to say I hate it when I see trash in the wilderness, I take a garbage bag with me to keep all garbage in. I will always pick up garbage that has been left by others. It is the lack of garbage that keeps nature looking as if it is untouched.

I mean if I found this place and there was cans by the creek, a noticable place where a fire was made, etc. I would not have gotten that feeling (am I the first to see this place) Well I may have been, or I may not have been, but if someone else comes after me, I want them to get that same feeling.

Anyways as I am hiking back along the canyon walls I keep hearing a woodpecker. It sounds like I am getting closer and closer so I am keeping a keen eye for him. I see the Osprey’s nest, there is a Raven nearby and he is acting like he is not happy with the Osprey being there. They are in battle, as the raven fly’s close to the nest the osprey would attack. I sit back and watch them go at it for about a half hour. I am rooting for the osprey but to be honest is looks like the raven is winning.

I don’t know but during that whole time I never heard the woodpecker. Maybe I just tuned him out, but as I started back I started hearing the woodpecker again. Was he watching me? Waiting for me to move? I doubt it but some things just make you think.

Okay I am out of the canyon and back into the woods, the trail is now noticably beneath my feet. The smell of pine in the air is breath taking, I found myself taking in slow deep breathes because I want to savor the smell. Then I hear the pecking again. Is he telling me to hurry up?

Well the day is coming to a close, so I keep a steady pace all the way back to the truck. I never see anyone else on this trail. It was like I was the only one who knew about it. The excitement you feel when you believe to have been a part of discovery. As I was getting back in my truck I hear the woodpecker again, so I look back out and see him there at the trailhead. Was he following me? Again I doubt it, but that feeling that nature is looking out for you, kinda ran through my mind. So I just smile and give my thanks to the bird on giving me company during this hike.

As I am driving back I realize I didn’t hike the trail I intended on. I feel like the place I found was much more rewarding though. And that trail will still be there tomorrow, who knows I might actually get someone to hike with me tomorrow.

Now its never a good idea to hike alone, alot of things can happen, and alot of things will happen. So be a smart hiker and take someone with you.

Tags: alot, animal trail, backpacking, backpacks, canyons, coyotes, deep breaths, earth, excitement, fired, free falling water, hikers, hiking boots, journey, life, loose soil, new horizon, osprey nest, peeling an orange, rehydration, sheer beauty, sleep, small waterfall, squall, sun, time of my life, time stand, trail, trailhead, trees, trucks, unknown destination, water, water fall, wilderness, wind, wind rustling