Across the Pond: Day Eleven- Wait Where's the Trail?? (The 8 hour hike)

Yes the title is correct. Our hike lasted 8 hours! But it's ok, we were (somewhat) mentality prepared for this as we knew that today would be a day hike. Also, a lot of fun can be had in 8 hours- don't underestimate it!

We got up from camp early and each packed an individual lunch (I might have swiped a few extra poptarts to go with my sandwich). After our day packs were ready to go, we hopped in the Geologic Van of Discovery and drove over to Phelps Lake. Our hike was to consist of a loop around Phelps Lake, and then a short out and back into Death Caynon (this trail leads into the mountains).

Even though we were circling the lake, their were only select times when we could get a great view. We finally came across a large boulder that offered the perfect overlook. I climbed up onto the rock with my fellow granola groupers and it was there that I finally found my picturesque Nature Valley Commercial (if you are confused what I am talking about Nature Valley is a company that makes granola bars and they always have picturesque scenes of nature in their commercials).

The lake is a deep blue and so clear that one can see at least five feet down. Since the lake is mainly melt water, it is so clean and fresh with even the bottom being pleasant to look at. After eating lunch , we made our way into Death Canyon. Eventually, our path was blocked by snow. We tried to scrape of the sides and continue, but we needed an ice axe to really get a good gripe of the slope. Our struggles soon transformed into a giant snowball fight. Let me tell you, the professors show no mercy.

On the way back down the cannon we tried to get back onto the lake trial; however, debris from a rock slide and melting snow obscured our path. After wandering around in a marsh that was similar to that of the one in Lord of the Rings, we realized that maybe we were very much lost. Everyone else seemed calm, but I got frustrated. We had to start bushwhacking, and it ran strIght into a tree. The combination of hot sun, tree bumped head, possible ticks, and the non-existence of a path made me have the urge to kick something. I stomped my REI boots over to a mound of snow and kicked it like I was in the World Cup. It was here that I realized I was being foolish. If the Native American women in my book were trailblazers, why could I not be one literally?? I channeled by inner Sacajawea and the Granola Group transformed into the Corps of Discovery with our professors now becoming Lewis and Clark. Eventually, we found our way back onto the lake trail. After eight hours, we arrived back at the van. Our campsite does not have showers, so we had not showered in about three days. We were going to find a shower place today, but getting lost made us run our of time. To make up for it, our understanding leaders surprised us with ice cream. Back at camp, some of us girls washed our hair underneath a spicket outside. Overall, I loved the hike. It just represented another adventure on our journey.