Six years ago, I backpacked to Nada Lake, 5,000', a deceptively grueling hike gaining 3,600' elevation in 4.8 miles. The trail is chock-full of rocks and roots the whole way. We were attempting to reach the spectacular Enchantments at 8,000' to 10,000'.

It was raining as Michael and I ascended to Nada Lake. In the tent, I woke at 2:00 a.m. to silence. The rain had stopped. "Tomorrow will be sunny," I smiled and fell asleep.

We awoke to 3 feet of snow. It was snowing hard. Higher up, Snow Lakes had 6 feet of snow.

"The snow was up to our chests!" two trail runners gasped, descending from the Enchantments. "We could barely find our way out. Glad we knew the way."

Six hikers were airlifted from the Cascade Mountains in Washington State that weekend.

Michael and I turned around. Glad I insisted we both bring Micro-spikes and hiking poles. I led him steeply downhill, following the slight indention of snow in the trail.

Step...test underfoot...step... test. We could have broken a leg on a buried log.

The snow turned to rain when we descended to 2,000' elevation. What a relief.

Photos:

Nada Lake, 5000'.

Cooking breakfast under trees in the driest place I could find.

McClellan Ridge and lake in the Enchantments. Photo by Terry Valdez, my ex-husband.