the DARK Forest

I backed up to a point.

And, as I straightened up and leaned back just a skosh,

I shifted my focus from the starburst on the tiny pool in front of the cascade,

to as much as my eyes could take in. In front of me.

Thick, thick willows immediately to my right. But they stop ahead about 30 yards. The landscape opens up for a stretch after that.

I looked to the South and wasted no time. I head out.

The flats from Heart Lake run right into the creek now. And the creek lays right up against the escarpment.

In the middle distance I can see a dense forest of evergreens take its grip on the creek. As far as I could see beyond. And a good portion, at least halfway, up the escarpment.

I make straight for that.

I want to see Wilson. I’m on a mission now.

And, I’m getting a little antsy. And a little perturbed.

My gait quickens.

As I get closer to the spruce forest I think I can make out what might be an entrance. Maybe a trailhead into it.

Closer still I look up at the escarpment.

I think I see what a trail might be.

Some diagonal line coming out of the forest a ways down South. And about halfway up the escarpment. It’s a line that doesn’t fit with the vertical lines of erosion, and trees, and anything else that’s natural.

So I’m thinking, that’s the trail. Got to be.

It heads South and up. At about a 25 degree angle. For a good ways. And then it looks like it makes a switchback. Cuts back to the North. All the way to the top. And ends at a large stand of aspens. You can see through the trunks of the trees.

I wish I had another PBJ sandwich.

I rummage around and find one of the chocolate bars I brought. And a banana.

Chocolate and bananas. Sounds good at that. Should do my appetite well.

I chow down. On the go. I ain’t stopping now.

It’s high noon. And I wanna make it to the top well before sundown. Or at least by sundown.

The summer solstice has come and gone. The days are getting shorter now. The autumnal equinox isn’t that far away. I’m losing light faster and faster every day.

My mind is racing through logistics.

I’m on a mission.

Finally, I get to the start of the forest. And there is an opening. There is a trail. But the forest is dense. And dark.

Thank you Robert Frost:

“The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.”

As I look down the trail (actually ‘up’) I can see very little light shining through. The evergreens are tall and thick. And even though it’s bright and sunny out, the trail looks pretty ominous.

Beyond the light is the dark.