THE HIKE

For 3 years now, I have lived under Wheeler Peak's shadow and have always thought it would be fun to hike it. My goal was to do it this summer, but our plans changed and I didn't think it was going to happen. HOWEVER, thanks to Jessica & Steve (who still live out in Nevada), I got to hike it two weekends ago!
The crew (l to r): Steve, Neener, Decca, Mummsie, Dad. It is an 8-mile hike round trip. This is the "easy part" and the highest point is on the right side of the mountain. So, this is really on the bottom.

Here, Neener and I were in the rocks. From the pics I had seen, I had always just assumed it was shale rock...but NO it is full of huge rocks that you have to climb over and pick your way through.

From this point, the view goes on forever. I kept thinking that I was making progress, but the view would look exactly the same.

You're up so high that it's easy to et dizzy anyway, but I couldn't look around. I had to hold onto rocks and keep my eyes focused on the trail. The four green circles are the pivots where I used to live.

The snow patch we crossed coming back down.

Anyway, I was hiking and thinking of Evan and my kids and my family and I was soooo determined to make it to the top. I was probably about 50 yards from the top when the trail was covered by snow. Most people either went through the snow or just climbed the loose rock up to the top. Janeen and I were terrified and didn't want to roll down the mountain if we slipped. I did want to be safe, but I was SO disappointed when I didn't reach the top. I stood there for quite a while trying to decided.

I was a little discouraged coming back down, but as I looked up from where I had reached I decided to be proud of my accomplishment. It is so cool that I could see my old home and Jeb's grave (he's buried on the other side of Wheeler peak). I got to be in a place that I have seen for over 8 years now. It really was breath-taking. Maybe someday, I'll make it to the tippy-top!