South Yellow Butte

Well, today's hike turned out to be a complete surprise. When looking at my hiking options, I will usually choose the one that involves water. I'm drawn to its fluidity and strength. And the sound...it's just so calming. So, I was excited to go visit a waterfall that wasn't too far away. I got all the way to the road that led to the parking lot and found out that it wasn't paved. Normally I don't have a problem with a little bit of off-roading, and with my new snow tires, I didn't even mind that the road was wet. But then the dirt turned into mud, which got a little deep, and I'm pretty sure I started sliding at one point. That's when I decided that another mile in these conditions probably wasn't the best idea. So I found a somewhat dry spot and turned around.

Grateful that I drive a stick shift, and that I have a list of trail options handy, I headed north where they don't get as much snow. My friend Google was my co-pilot today and she was telling me to turn left up ahead...but there wasn't a road, only a little paved section not much larger than a driveway. So, like almost all of my journeys, I had to make a U-turn and backtrack to where I was supposed to be. Once again, I found myself off-roading in my little car (her name is Sapphire, and the princess needs a bath after I took her through mud and dirt in the same day). I parked on the outside of a fence with an open gate and headed up the path, which was really just a set of tire tracks.

Weaving between the left and right tire paths, I was thinking two things; 1) this might be a boring hike, and 2) I wonder if Snoop Dogg knows that all of these Juniper Berry bushes are here. Because, you know, he likes his Gin and Juice. Yes, friends, this thought took up a lot of my brain power as I trekked up the hill. Stopping to catch my breath and talk to the trees, I caught a glimpse of the view. Spectacular. And since the trail continued to climb, I knew that the reward was going to be well worth the increase in elevation.

This trail is an out-and-back with a little detour taking you to top of the first crest on the right of the path. When I made that turn, I was so excited to see Mount Shasta with a clear view of the lenticular clouds that have been captured in so many pictures. I continued to the top of the hill and stood in awe. This was a full-stop moment, taking in not only the clouds but also a side of the mountain that I don't normally get to see.

Turning to head back to the main path and up to the next crest, I noticed a bunch of large rocks jutting out of the ground. At first glance, this mound looks like any normal, dirt hill with grass growing on it. Taking a closer look at the trail, I realized it was covered with tons of different rocks; gold, white, yellow, some covered in moss, others looked like they were covered in rust. It made me realize how resilient and determined all of these plants have to be to survive in such a hard environment. Once again, lessons from Mother Nature.

As I was nearing the top of the second crest, I was greeted with a fence "no trespassing" signs. Being the rule follower that I am, I stopped there to admire the views. That's when I realized that the sky was putting on a show, and I am all about watching how clouds play in the rays of the sun. I have spent countless hours entranced by how the sky changes as the sun sets on the Pacific. The clouds above the mountains are a whole different scenario. It's as if there are multiple performances going on at once.

When I was a child, I remember learning the names of cloud formations in school, I wish I remembered them now. I do know that just above me to the north was a thin blanket of w cirrus clouds. To the east were thicker, gray clouds splayed out like Angel's wings. And to the south, hovering over Haystack Butte, were the puffier, pillow-like clouds that I'm used to seeing over the ocean. Multiple performances for the price of one admission.

Heading back down the hill, I was treated to an encore. Of course, I stopped several times to marvel at the Queen Mountain and her surroundings. But what made me really pause was how the light in the sky was changing. The sun would barely peek through the puffs of white, and then she would stand out front, warming everything in sight. I took a ton of photos of the changing sky, and, as always, a picture is worth a thousand words, but it will never be as good as the real thing.