Summer Storms and Wildflowers

“I dreamed you were a prophet in a meadow, I dreamed I was a mountain in the wind. I dreamed you knelt and touched me with a flower; I awoke with this: a flower in my hand.” John Denver (The Wings That Fly Us Home)

There is nothing like walking into a meadow of wildflowers that span across everywhere the eye can see.  It is a visual that is rare and only seen during a short span of the year.  They bring so much color and texture to the mountain landscape.  The variety of colors and scents they offer bring so much joy and a much needed sense of serenity that is found only in these wild places. Some years are better than others in terms of the variety and density of these gardens, and this year was exceptional.

This hike took me from the Carson Pass, through a variety of terrain, and some summer rain to a lovely mountain lake.  The trail is called Meiss Meadows Trail and it begins at the top of the Carson Pass (Hwy. 88) across from the ranger station.  The trail is considered moderate mainly because of it’s distance, as most of the hike is fairly flat.  I took the trail to Showers Lake which made the trek about 9.5 miles round trip.

I did this hike in July (2015)  when the wildflowers typically hit their peak each year.  I climbed the first mile or so, and was a little disappointed because it was dry and hot and I didn’t see much except some other hikers.   However, when I got to the top everything changed.  I encountered a beautiful little pond with mountain peaks behind them and started to feel the wind blow and clouds come in.  At first, I wasn’t too concerned, as it cooled me down as I descended to the meadow.  When I arrived at this magical place, I was stunned at the shear beauty and stillness of it.  Lupine, Indian Paintbrush, Corn Lily, Cow Parsnip, and Wild Iris were among many of the varieties of flowers in the meadow.  As I continued on, clouds were still moving, and I only encountered a few other hikers.  I came across an old historical cabin, Meiss Lake and then my final destination, Showers Lake.

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As I relaxed up at Showers Lake, the clouds were getting thicker and darker, and I knew that I would need to head back soon. The rain started and I didn’t have much to cover me except my hat and a poncho that was designed to cover my backpack…it covered me just fine!  I was amazed at the fact that: 1.  I wasn’t cold, and 2.  any hikers that I saw earlier were nowhere to be found!  While it was raining, it was so quiet and struck  me as so peaceful.   I took shelter for a few minutes and let the stillness envelop me.  However, I  wanted to get back, so I didn’t stop for too long.  The rain lasted about 30 minutes, and by the time I got back to the car, I was sweating again!  In the end, I was satisfactorily tired and left with an imprint on my soul that will never be replaced…the sense that once again, I was free and home.

“And the Spirit fills the darkness of the heavens; it fills the endless yearning of the Soul; it lives within a star too far to dream of; it lives within each part and is the whole: it’s the fire and the wings that fly us home, that fly us home.  John Denver (The Wings That Fly Us Home)