...still asleep

The Route: Parked at the gate across the road to the swim beach at Stormy Lake. Hiked down the road to the edge of the lake. Crossed the ice and entered the woods. Broke out onto the swamps and meandered around looking for a passable route to Gooseneck Lake. Too wet. had to turn back. Distance: 4.25 miles Terrain: Snow covered road. Lake ice. Frozen, partially frozen, and wet swamp.

Sunrise over a swamp on the back side of Stormy Lake. More sunrise.

Continuing sunrise.

A swamp view.

Frosted swamp spruce.

The former ski route to Gooseneck Lake.

Shadow of a swamp monster.

Stepping onto Stormy Lake on the way back. Gabby was already there.

4:00 AM. Dark city. Most of the house is still asleep, but I can hear Gabby in the living room. She's awake. She'll go with me. She stretches and flaps her ears almost smiling a dog smile when she sees me coming down the stairs. She is even happier when she spies the backpack which makes her jump and spin in circles. We have to get out of here, she seems to be saying, before the slumbering Hufford girls are awakened by the commotion.

Off we go with the defroster blasting hard to clear the windshield of heavy frost. We hit the pavement things heat up nicely. We're on our way with the radio blaring AC/DC. Time to wake up fully.

We park at the gate, ready gear, sniff some bushes (Gabby), and hit the trail. It's still dark and hard to see, but we're on a road. We make good time. Twenty minutes later we're across the lake and entering the woods. Faint light is coming. But, our progress slows when we reach the swampland. Heavy melting occured yesterday and light freezing temps overnight allow for breaking through about every third step. My boots are quickly wet and soggy. Progress continues until we hit the wide open areas. The water deepens and the tussocks are too far apart for me to jump from one to the next. Time to turn back, just as a sliver of the sun burns above the horizon. I'm not ready to go home so we explore some birch thickets checking out the animal trails and taking some photos.

The trip back is straight forward following our previous steps, and when we get back home the Hufford girls are...still asleep.