In the Crowsnest Pass there is a mountain called Window Mountain. It is cool because it actually has a hole right in the top of it and you can see right through it.
About 10 years ago we learned of a trail that goes up to a lake in that area. We looked and looked for the trail-head but never found it. This year, however, we did! We hiked with some fellow campers who also wanted to explore that area. It made it a very pleasant hike... but first we had to climb up a ridge. You know, initially as you looked ahead it wasn't too daunting - mostly because you didn't know exactly where the trail would take you. The grade was constant and very rocky to start with - I think it was probably a dry creek bed that we hiked on until we got a little further up into the trees. The rocks were hard to walk on and three of my children stayed by my side, encouraging me and watching out for me as we moved ahead.
Now I am the first to admit that I am not in very good shape and when I embark upon a hike like this I am one of the first to fall to the back simply because I can't keep up. It is no fun being in the back either because those in the lead will stop and rest as they wait for you to catch up and then, when you do, they are ready to go again! That's OK. I rested anyway, but not as much as I would have thought I would need to! ☺ The grade got steeper and all I focused on was putting one foot in front of the other. I never looked up or around, just ahead of me so that I could keep moving. I kept repeating to myself, "Five more steps." But you know what? I made it!!! The trail leveled off and then we descended into a small valley. First we saw a meadow with a stream running through it and then, after passing through a few more trees, there it was, a glorious, clear, pristine lake.
The water was so clear that you could see the rock shelves beneath its surface. It was a sight to behold boxed in on three sides by granite walls. We explored a little and the kids even found a snow bank to slide down. They made a few snow balls and found a few of what I call painting rocks (a flat thin rock that I can clean off and paint a picture on). We handed out snacks to replenish our depleted energy and hiked around a little to experience the area a little more thoroughly. It was beautiful, and even my aching feet could not deter me from taking it all in.
As the afternoon wore on we decided it was time to head back, after all we were in bear country and didn't want to have any encounters with one. We started back down the trail. The forest was lush and green and now that I wasn't breathing so hard, I could look around and enjoy it. There were flowers all over the slopes that were stunning.
We even discovered a small cave just off the trail. At that point the trail went almost straight down the slope angling off to the north. As I looked, I couldn't believe I had climbed up that very same slope only a short time before! I had had no idea that it was so steep!!! We could see for miles and miles. It was absolutely breath taking.
You know, it was a hard hike, but we are already planning on doing it again. I LOVED it! I love hiking and being able to enjoy the wonderful beauties of God's creations that are so close to where we live.
As I have thought about this hike, I am again amazed at how steep a hill I climbed without realizing it. For some reason I never looked back, I just kept climbing and focusing on putting my feet in solid places and moving forward. When I had to go down, I remember thinking to myself, "How will I ever get down this slope without sliding half the way?!" That's how steep it was. Sometimes life is like climbing that ridge. When we focus on moving forward, ever onward and upward, we don't even realize how high we are climbing or how steep the climb is. My body told me it was difficult, my lungs were taking in as much air as I could give them, and my legs felt like jelly, but I continued on. On the way back I was able to take in the grandeur of the heights we had reached.
Overcoming challenges is much the same. Once an experience or challenge has been overcome, you can look back over all that that experience taught you and suddenly your vision is opened up and you can see the heights you have reached and the beauty that now surrounds you. Trials can become blessings, and I am grateful that the Lord has allowed me to experience trials of my own, for in them He has always been at my side, encouraging and supporting me to go the next five steps. He is there for me to lean on when I need stabilized or strengthened. Through these trials, and His divine encouragement, I am able to see beauty in life that I missed before. What a joy it is to feel Him guiding, encouraging and supporting me, my family, and my loved ones as we each face our own adversity.
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