Bunny Flat - Mt. Shasta

True to form, this is not the first time I have been to this trail. It's the third. The first time I came up here, I was trying to get to Panther Meadow, but the road is still closed due to snow. Yes, even with our 80 to 90-degree heat in town, some roads are still closed on the surrounding mountains due to snow. That's something I still need to get used to. The parking lot was packed, and I didn't feel like being around a lot of people, so I turned around and went home. Yes. Lame. But at least I'm honest.

The second time I came up here was when my bonus daughter (a close college friend of my oldest) was in town visiting. I just had to bring her up to see the view and also send her home with bragging rights about actually being ON Mount Shasta. This time it wasn't quite as crowded, and it was chilly. I knew I would be back for a hike real soon.

The third time I arrived, the parking lot was packed and there were a ton of people in the Flat, but I have a huge audience of...five?...waiting to read the next post, and I was heading out of town (yes, Road Trip adventures coming soon!), so I had no choice but to hit the trail. Backpack on, all electronics charged, earbud in and music on (just one ear for safety), and off I went.

I started out on the left side of the little meadow away from all of the tourists who were building cairns and snapping pictures in their shorts and sandals. Sometimes when I head out I feel ridiculous with my big boots and backpack on, but then I remind myself that I'm old and slow and I have seen snakes and it's better to be over-prepared than not prepared at all (I feel this way about packing a suitcase as well - just FYI). I will admit that I felt a whole lot less silly when I saw a few people coming down the hill toward me with their boots on and walking poles out.

I don't know why, but I was not expecting to be hiking up-hill after driving up-hill. Yeah, crazy, I know. I mean, mountains do tend to get steeper as you reach the top. I seriously was not thinking. I also didn't take into consideration that I was starting my climb at an elevation of 6,900 feet. That's over 3,000 feet higher than normal. Of course I was huffing and puffing right away. But I trudged on, just a little bit slower than normal.

After passing the flat, the trail splits. There is a shorter climbing trail to the left and the long trail toward the Mountain to the right. I chose to go to the right because I didn't really know what a "climbing trail" was. I'll be back to check that out, but today I just wanted to get a hike in and, hopefully, see some amazing views.

This is an out-and-back trail (you know how I love those) so I tried really hard to focus on what was in front of me. But walking up-hill at that elevation, I really needed a reason to stop and catch my breath. So, I found myself stopping frequently and looking in all directions. Let me tell you, the view started out pretty spectacular, and it just kept getting better.

As the trail curved around and I got farther away from the crowd, the path became rocky and the trees more dense. I came to an area where someone had hung prayer flags between trees. They were beautiful and bright and waving in the wind. Mount Shasta is known to be a sacred place full of renewing energy, so it isn't surprising that people come here to worship. I stopped to take in the energy, and find my center, and then moved on into the forest.

One thing I will say about this trail is that it is VERY well marked. There were numerous areas where I could have taken a wrong turn, but then I noticed orange markers on the trees with arrows pointing me in the right direction. It was really comforting, actually. Plus, trying to locate the next arrow gave me another reason to stop. (because...up-hill, on a rocky trail, at almost 7,000 feet, at the end of the day)

As I was looking for the next arrow, I noticed the bright green moss glowing in the evening sun. I mean BRIGHT green, almost yellow. Like glow in the dark slime. Only hairy. It was awesome. And it was on almost every single tree.

While admiring the moss, I noticed that the trees were different than the ones I usually see on the trails in the area. These branches were flat and there were little off-shoots in a very distinct and symmetrical pattern. Like snowflake spritz cookies that you buy from a bakery. And the sun hit the branches and needles in a way that made the trees look two-dimensional. You know, like when you put a post card in one of those old viewing glasses and some things on the picture look closer than others. It was really interesting.

And then I saw some trees with dried branches, and I had to come to a full stop. These dried pine needles weren't just dusty yellow or brown like normal needles you see on the ground. They were a bright and beautiful orangy-copper color. The color was striking against the deep green of the other trees. It was hard to believe that something so gorgeous was no longer thriving.

Now, we all know that I love trees, and I can stand in awe for quite a while in any forest. On this hike, though, just about every spot had a mountain view. Even if it was just a glimpse, you could see either Mount Shasta's snowy peak or the panoramic view of the mountains in the distance. Honestly, it was the chance to see that expansive view in its entirety that kept me going far longer than I had planned.

Totally worth it!!

Even with the mosquitoes trying to eat me through my clothes, I stopped and tried to take it all in. Of course, there is no way to do that. Standing near the top of the highest peak in the area (okay, maybe not near the top because her peak is at 14,000 feet and I only climbed up to around 7,400...but still), I was looking down on millions of trees at so many different levels, and even some of the surrounding mountains were below me. There were layers upon layers upon layers of trees and mountains as far as my eyes could see. And, yes, these old eyes need readers up close but believe that my long-distance sight is perfect.

After being bitten one too many times, I decided I needed to head back down the hill. I got out my hiking poles and started back the way I came. Since I had stopped so many times to take in the view on the way up, it took me considerably less time to get back down the hill to my car. On the return trip, I took the trail on the opposite side of the flat, which gave me a beautiful view over the road. And that's why I knew I had to stop and snap one last shot from the car.

I am very aware of how lucky I am to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and I know I will never get tired of these views.