Springtime Swayback Hike - 4/13/2013

Hike: Swayback Bridge Trail of Legends - Sat., 4/13/2013 - 09:45-12:30
Distance: 5.5 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Conditions: Mostly clear blue sky. Warm. Light wind. Trails wet from recent rains (muddy in a few spots).  A couple of Mtn Bikers on the trail but otherwise a solo hike.

Thoughts/Observations:

Quite possibly a perfect Spring day for a hike...  Wind was light, sky was gloriously blue with few clouds, and the forest was resplendent with the shine of fresh spring leaves.  The early spring leaves have something special about them.  Maybe it is because they are the first green against the dark colors of winter, but I believe the green is actually a lighter, fresher green. The forest literally shimmers in the sunlight, casting a mottled pattern across the floor.  Underneath the trees the fiddle heads are unfurling toward the sun, shedding their brown leaves stunted by frost and replacing them with bright green fronds.  Along the forest floor small streams babble and bubble with the water still draining from spring rains as it splashes toward the brown waters of Lake Jordan.  Scores of turtles sun themselves on logs and dead falls -- splashing into the muddy water as they see me hiking down the trail.  Some of the turtles are no bigger than my hand, though some would be larger than my head!

As I pause trail-side, I am serenaded by the ubiquitous passarines... their songs are truly lovely.  Wild azalea, woodland violets, and other small wild-flowers of blue, purple, yellow, pink, and red provide a concert of color.  Squirrels and chipmunks are busy about the forest floor, shoreline, and trees.  Their romping through the leaves is accentuated by the occasional lizard and snake scurrying away.  The forest is alive -- very much so today.

Worshiping during my hike, I remember John 14:6... "6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."  HE brings life to the forest and HE will bring life to us as well.

Agape!

Gear List:
o RedHead Gortex Hikers
o MountainSmith Lumbar pack w/ FAK & ESK
o 1 KleenKanteen of water
o JazzCam
o Gerber CLS