Ouch! That’s a terrible title – a bit of word play, close to larking about – but it’s not really working is it? Never mind. The OldPlaidCamper brain is firing on fewer than usual cylinders this week, so I’d best keep it brief…
After a decent run of weekend getaways into the mountains, our calendar has come up short, and we’re city bound for the next little while, with work and social commitments. No complaints (well, not too many), and a post this week that looks back to a hike up to see some fall larches.
We committed to the Taylor Lake hike a few Sundays ago, determined to set out rain or shine. We didn’t really get either, with the weather set in at steadfastly grey, and a few wispy bits of white cloud clinging to the higher reaches, rather like a late middle-aged male hairline (we’ve been studying metaphors and similes at school…)
Being familiar with the trail, we felt prepared to take on the ascent at a slow and steady pace, armed with granola bars, chocolate, some almonds, plenty of water, and a willingness to stop and admire the view whenever slow and steady was too fast. That was quite often. Everyone knows that the best way to lighten the load in a heavy pack is to eat the contents. Not the spare socks though.
With a lighter load comes a lighter heart, at least for this old hiker, and the uphill going was almost pleasant. All a bit of a lark, and we reached our destination in less time than expected – the chocolate was that good!
The top of the trail reveals wide wetlands and one end of the lake quite suddenly, an almost startling contrast with the enclosed tree-lined path on the way up. It all opens out, and you see the larches clinging to the slopes, you see sky after being under a canopy of trees, and you have a long view reflected in the rippling lake water. It is quite a release and reward at the end of an uphill stretch.
All you can do is find a spot and sit for a while, let your mind wander, and smile when you know that the return trail is downhill all the way. You might even discover another cube or two of chocolate at the bottom of your pack. Those discoveries and happy thoughts take years off you, and your legs feel fresh and ready – why, you’ll be larking about, all the way back down…
Thanks for reading, please feel free to share a story or leave a comment – what’s a hiking essential in your pack? – and have a wonderful weekend!
OldPlaidCamper 
That’s my favorite kind of hike, when you take the time to fully enjoy the surroundings. It’s quiet an extraordinary beautiful place you visited. Thank you for feeding my imagination this Friday morning. My weekend has officially begun 🙂
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Hi Maria – glad your weekend has got off to a good start, thanks, and enjoy the rest of it! Probably still pleasantly warm weather for you?!
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It is nice, in between two rain storms 🙂
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Well, chocolate (and a few nuts thrown in) is always an essential for me when out hiking, heck even at home! This sounds like a lovely walk and that scenery, sigh, it’s just breath taking. Thank you for taking us along.
Happy weekend to you. 😊
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Oh yes, chocolate isn’t just for hiking! A good cup of coffee and a square (or two) of dark chocolate does the trick…
Have a wonderful weekend, hope it warms up for you!
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Sounds perfect!
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LARCH on buddy,Larch on!
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Doing my best – we all need to hug a tree from time to time! You’ve got some of the finest trees out there on the coast.
Thanks, Wayne!
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The scenery is breathtaking and you did a great job of capturing the still essence of it all. We just need a bit of chocolate to munch while we look at these photos to go into a calm, settled state.
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Oh how I enjoyed this post, pc. You sure know how to hike and describe the process well, too. You do a really good job of describing the best parts of hiking, the freedom, the beauties, and the uncanny way food (and espec. choc.)–even when it’s broken bits from the bottom of the pack–tastes somehow more incredible. How many times hiking have we hikers & campers dropped it on the ground, wiped off the dust, and it’s as good as ever? Great post. Photos are great too — larches are gorgeous right now.
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Thanks, Jet! The larches are lovely, particularly this time of year. Our range of fall colours is less here compared to other places we’ve lived, so the larches are a stand out.
You’re absolutely right about food on the trail – it does taste better! And a little mud or dust on it doesn’t hurt, and if it’s all you have, get over it!
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Larching About is quite the fitting title, and sounds a lot better than Tamaracking About, although I also like the name “tamarack” as an alternative to “larch.” In either case, it’s a beautiful tree in autumn, the only conifer I’m aware of that changes dramatically with the seasons. Very nice photos, as usual, of another fine mountain walk. Especially like your spruce grouse pic!
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Hi, Walt! Glad you liked the spruce grouse photograph. Jet kindly offered to identify the bird and sent me confirmation earlier today that it was indeed a spruce grouse, and now I have double confirmation from you! I followed a link that explained there are sub-species of grouse, and one is the Franklin’s grouse. How about that?!
The larches are a special coniferous tree, and they do light up some of the slopes in fall. Always a pleasure to hike up to them (and yes, tamarack is a more attractive name!)
Thanks, Walt, and enjoy the rest of your weekend!
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I feel rejuvenated by your post, nothing like a hike in Gods’ nature 🙂 by the way….I think that your post title is very cute and suitable.
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Thanks, Margaret! Happy that you found the post uplifting, and I hope your spirits continue to rise – enjoy your week!
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enjoy yours as well 🙂 thank you!
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Beautiful photos! I have to admit that the only hikes I enjoy are the ones I read about on your blog, but if I was to go out hiking with the possibility of being lost in the woods I would need these two essentials – Diet Mtn Dew and M&Ms. Wonderful post!
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Thanks for your comment – it made me smile! I think your backpack essentials would be just fine out on the trail…
I hope your week is off to a good start!
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