Hidden Lake Hike

Finally got my first hike of the year in during my week vacation! I went up to a little place called Hidden Lake, which is on the western side of Mount Hood. The hike starts off pretty steep, and I was sucking wind at the top, but eventually it levels out and goes down to a little stream and a small lake. There were wild rhodies all along the trail, tons and tons of them, not quite yet in bloom. It will be a really pretty hike once they all bloom. There wasn't much to the lake itself, but it was very peacefull. I was the only one there, and I sat on a tree stump over looking the lake as I ate my lunch and listened to the birds and watched the tadpoles swimming below.

I enjoy hiking with friends, but it's also nice to sometimes get out there and be alone with nature. It allows me to really relax and focus on the energy within and around me. This was a great hike to start off the season.