“We give thanks to the Stars who spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them at night, helping the moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our hearts and minds gathered as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars. Now our minds are one.” The Thanksgiving Address (Onondaga Nation)
June is always an interesting month for me. I have spent my career as a teacher, so the flow of my life is hectic for ten months and calm and peaceful for two. And the transition between those periods is always tough. I am always thrilled to finish the school year and start summer vacation, but at the same time, I get hit with pent up exhaustion I’ve been carrying for so many months. So I end up spending part of the month of June decompressing and shifting my focus on re-energizing. In other words, when June hits, my tank is completely empty and there is only one thing that helps re-fuel me…the solitude of nature.
The hike I took in early July this year was up to Five Lakes Basin near Alpine Meadows in North Lake Tahoe. It is a 4.2 mile hike (round trip) and is considered moderate. The length is short, but is a pretty good climb to get to the lakes. To get to the trailhead, take highway 89 past Squaw Valley and turn right at Alpine Meadows road. Stay on the road for about 2.1 miles where you will find the trailhead on the right with a turnout for parking or you can park on the side of the road across the street. This is a very popular hike, so I would avoid weekends and go early in the morning to beat the crowds.
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As I made my way up the mountain, along with my dog Adobe, I enjoyed some early blooming wildflowers and views of Alpine Meadows. As I reached the biggest lake, I ran into a few people who were asking me where the other lakes were. This was my first time, so I didn’t really know. But this is what I learned: when you reach the sign entering the granite chief wilderness, there is a spur trail that leads to the left. The main trail continues forward. To get to the first of the five lakes, take the trail to the left and that trail will take you to all of the lakes, finishing at the largest lake. Each of the lakes are unique and beautiful and each are worth spending time at. The largest of the lakes is best for swimming and sunbathing and I ran across a few people doing just that.
Adobe and I enjoyed the sunshine and cool breeze at the largest lake. We walked around investigating the area, taking in the various sights, sounds and smells. I was invigorated to be in this place. It took about three weeks for me to get out of the dark place I had been in. Just like the stars bring light to the darkness, so the mountains once again called to me and led me to a higher place. This place I call home. So it is, that I thank the stars and I thank the mother earth…Now our minds are one.
