Hiking can be compared to a glimpse into our lives. There are ups and downs, boulders, roots – all trying to take you down and stop you from reaching your goals. The pain and struggle, the bumps along the way, all will ultimately lead you to a pure moment of beauty, that words sometimes can not describe, and the best way to experience it is to breathe it all in and never to take a second for granted.
I set out for every hike prepared, with a plan, where I am going, how long I want it to take me and sometimes forget that I get the opportunity to just be, and experience the moment. For me slowing down and truly enjoying just a good day is rare, I always have something on my mind that is dragging me down or putting me in a different mindset.
Today I attempted to not focus on the future, forget the past and live in the high peak, leaf season, moment.
Rooster Comb Trail – 4.5 miles round trip, 1,729 ft elevation
Since it is almost peak leaf season there were quite a few people on the trail, but not so busy that you were weaving in and out of people.
There is a small pond before the trail really start that you can choose to walk around that leads back into the parking lot. The trail starts with an incline and it rarely stopped until reaching the top. The terrain was filled with moss, fallen red and yellow leaves, boulders covered in tree roots, and many fallen logs to stop for a quick breather and a sip of water.
Before getting to the top of the mountain you need to climb a small ladder, this can be done with dogs, since there were a few on the trail that made it up. The top offers many areas to sit and take in the mass array of colors that the high peaks has to offer in the fall. Reds, yellows, orange and still a tint of green for miles and mile. Every direction you look provides you a different view of the mountains in the distance.
There were people on top eating lunch, having conversation, and even taking photo shoots.
A few moments were had taking in the views, the sunshine and a lunch of beef jerkey, and banana chips. On the way back down was an option to take a side trail to view the Valley View Ledge – just a short .1 miles, it was worth another view of the beautiful mountains.
Although a shorter hike in the High Peaks region this hike provided a great workout and fantastic views – highly reccomend if you are looking for a view of the fall folliage this season.
Take a Hike 