Mitchell Lake Trail

Yesterday I answered my mountain craving.

Even though we live right at the base of the mountains, 

we don't make the drive up into the hills nearly often enough.

We were treated 

to the very beginnings

of the golden Aspens' seasonal change

as we made our way up to 

Brainard Lake Recreation Area

& the Indian Peak Wilderness.

It was sunny when we started the hike

up to Mitchell Lake, 

but as we ascended, 

the fog met us.

The fog became so dense that we

nearly walked right past the lake

without even noticing it.

It was so beautifully eerie

to be completely enveloped

so that even the horizon is erased,

and to feel like we were the only ones for miles.

The promise of rain 

& the cold seeping into our bones

pushed us back down the path, 

and back down the mountain, 

out of the rain, 

and into our cozy home

to wrap our hands around steaming mugs.