A Wild Basin

One of my favorite winter trails has become the Sandbeach Lake Trail in Wild Basin, only a 10-minute drive from the cabin. I’ve never made it to the lake, which is more than 4 miles up, but the first two miles of the trail are all I need: a good, steady climb so I feel energized by the exercise, views across the valley and west to the high, snow-covered peaks, and the utter pleasure of walking through a forest of tall ponderosas.

Below me the North St. Vrain River snakes through willow bushes, almost double-backing on itself at times, enough to form ponds, now frozen. I spot them from up here on the trail and feel a longing to skate on these hidden treasures before the snow covers them up.

Down in the valley the pines form a respectful circle around the river and willow bushes. They climb up the hills and down the other side, a dark green that dominates the landscape. To the west, I get glimpses of Copeland Mountain (left) swirled in snow.

On the trail, I’m deep within the trees. The lovely thing about ponderosas is that they like to spread out, giving you enough room to get glimpses of the valley below or up the hill to the interlocking boulders. They provide space once in a while for a small aspen grove to emerge and let light penetrate these otherwise dark woods. At the same time, they offer a feeling of protection—unless, of course, a tree falls on you.

 

That’s what happened several years ago on this trail, on a day much like today, with the wind shaking the trees and causing a horrible creaking sound when branches and limbs rub together. A hiker was killed when the strong winds uprooted a tree that crashed just where he was walking. The accident doesn’t dissuade me from hiking this trail. If you happen to be in just the place where one tree, out of thousands in the woods, falls on you, it must be your time.

Fortunately, Tuesday was not my time. It was only another day that I was lucky enough to be in the mountains, climbing a trail that easily could have gone to heaven, smelling the pines, feeling the cold, clean rush of air and bowing to the trees that bow so fervently back.

Comments

[Julene Bair]

I think you were in heaven, Kathy. Puts me there too, just imagining...

[Sally Hanson]

This trail sounds like it would be one of my favorites too. Beautiful scenery. Great description that makes me feel there with you.

[Jennifer Woodhull]

Kathy, can we hike this trail when I'm next in your neighborhood? I'm willing to take my chances on getting killed by a falling tree …

[Brent]

On one of my hikes in the Porcupine Mountains (Upper Michigan) I saw a huge old birch tree fall along the trail. Luckily, I wasn't within range of the fallen tree. But it did scare the heck out of me.