The Lake Tahoe area recently survived a very serious threat from a wildfire. Wildfires are becoming more and more common in the region, but this recent event resulted in evacuations in areas where I spent a great deal of time while living in Reno and Carson City from 2006-2018. As of this writing the area is still closed to recreation and still under wildfire threat. But evacuation for residents in the area have been lifted.
Because we had left the area in September of 2018 after selling our house, I had already said goodbye to many places where I had spent a great deal of time. One such place was a special hiking trail, one that I considered my “home” trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail northbound from Spooner Summit.
This trail was 30 minutes door-to-door from my home in Carson City, making it doable, even just a short portion, if I had 2 hours. More was always better, but it was realistic for me to go there on my way to or from errands on a weekend, or after I retired, something I could do multiple times per week if I wanted to (I usually did).
There are many other trails in the area, but there is something special about hiking the same trail again and again, in different weather conditions and seasons. It was off limits due to snow for most of the winter, but other than that hike-able any other time. In some ways, the trail became like a close friend, someone I liked to visit again and again, each visit having similarities to past visits but having some unique qualities. Sometimes I would see many other hikers, sometimes very few. Towards the end of my time in the area, trail runners became more and more common. Sometimes I would see horseback riders. Sometimes I would see wildlife on or near the trail. I would always see and hear birds. Sometimes there were snow patches to hike through or around. I would always get to see at least one view of Lake Tahoe, sometimes more. Sometimes the lake was blue and smooth and clear with recreational boats enjoying it. Sometimes it was gray and rough-looking with few on it; from my view I could imagine that I was the only one seeing it because no other person was visible. Sometimes it was windy. Sometimes it was cloudy. Sometimes it was rainy or snowy. Sometimes it was sunny and hot. Sometimes it was cold. Always it was enjoyable and lifted my spirits to hike it.
One of the last times that I hiked the trail, I had one of the most memorable experiences of my life. As I was heading down trail from my favorite Tahoe overlook (pictured), back towards the trailhead, suddenly there was a wall of sound that hit me, and then passed me by. Literally 100s of little birds that apparently fill the trees to much more of an extent than I realized cried out in alarm. To my right at eye level a hawk flew through, just behind the wall of sound. It was a magical experience. I think of it as the trail giving me a parting gift.
I wrote a haiku about the experience that I will leave in closing:
Little warning calls
A wall of sound in front of
The hawk that flew through
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Sounds like a really lovely spot. I hope it’s still there.
I believe it was spared; the fires did not make it to that particular area to my knowledge.
I can relate. As you know, I’m lucky to have wooded walking trails close to my house. It is always so peaceful and stress relieving. The beauty of nature is awesome. I found your comments about the change of seasons interesting. I haven’t thought about it in quite the same way. I’m going to be more mindful about it now. I wonder where the love of nature comes from. Is it learned from childhood or genetic or some of both? I don’t think everyone has it I don’t remember my parents taking me anywhere to point out the wonder of nature. Some of my fondest memories from the past is when we lived in a house with a lot of flowers (planted by the landlady), a walk through the trees down a hill to a lake with a private beach, walking to school through plum and apple trees (which we were free to pick), through an area with wildflowers and a little creek.
Good question about if a love of nature is learned or genetic. I suspect a bit of both, at least that is my way of thinking. My love of walking has always been tied to my love of nature; even when walking in a city or town, I usually notice that sky, trees, birds, etc. From childhood much of my time in nature was of course spend at various cabins on lakes in norther MN. But also outside skating or sledding in the winter, etc. I find walking and time spent in nature to be extremely soothing and calming; I think everyone needs it, they just don’t know it.