Waking up to sunshine and blue sky was just what we hoped for. My friend and I had planned this particular excursion for a while and after rain, snow and flash freeze yesterday the conditions were perfect.

Our hike led past Jeffers Falls where we discovered beautiful ice flows with edges smoothed by the water as they bumped against each other in a quiet pool.

The ice shelves lining the shore were slushy in places and we were not keen on taking chances and have water enter our boots. Instead we decided to hug the tree lined canyon cliffs, grateful for the snow as it aided in finding solid footing.

Eventually we abandoned our goal to find the elusive upper falls and headed straight up a very steep incline because we saw sunshine reflecting off the snow in a clearing. We emerged under the power lines and the corridor cut through the forest. Trees were scattered and covered with a blanket of snow. We forged ahead, climbed over some bouncing branches and solid trunks. Our goal was to reach the forest’s edge and follow it toward the not so distant cliff. By our estimation (and according to the map) we expected to find the logging road at the top of the cliff.

We were correct! Once we arrived at the access road we followed it downhill back to where we parked the car.

It wasn’t a very long hike but the scenery, navigating knee high snow and climbing steep terrain gave us a work out and thrills that won’t be forgotten anytime soon

Happy Sunday! Hope you enjoyed sunshine in your corner of the world.