Family Hike to"Black Mountain"

Ever since we came to the desert, we have looked out of our kitchen window and wondered, "Why is that mountain black?" So we started to call it "Black Mountain". With all of the snow on the mountains we saw that it was standing without snow. We took a drive on snow packed roads and crept up on the mountain. We don't know much about the dirt roads. So we parked and walked the last couple of miles. There was snow on the ground and the uneven landscape made the hike more challenging. The view was spectacular. With the intermittent clouds, we had to keep moving to stay warm. 

There is a strange rule that seems to exist - the mountains seem to move farther away the longer you walk. We eventually arrived and climbed around for a time and explored the canyon and got acquainted with the rock formations. So many wonderful colors, shapes and textures. 

We headed back home across the desert to the car, our long journey nearly complete. The fog started to roll in from the south. By the time we arrived home, there was no way to see "Black Mountain" at all. 

On the hike, nothing brought relief like several water breaks with cookies to tide us over. The vast open spaces never cease to amaze me. This snow covered land has so many hidden secrets waiting to be discovered. They are hidden in the rocks and whispered on the wind and stretched across the bluest of skies. What more could I ask for on a winter's day, than to push myself off of the sofa and walk into the face of the undeniable beauty of my desert home. I have attempted to capture this moment and etch it into my memory through a poem.


Black Mountain

There it stood dark and obvious against the sky
defying the elements and beckoning to me.
After driving a maze of snow covered roads we approached,
never really finding the easy way to her skirts.

Starting across the openness of the landscape, we walked.
The goal to reach the base of her talus slope.
Reaching each rock outcrop, we paused and gazed at her.
Still gaining little on her moving form as if an illusion.

Wonders of scattered rocks lined the desert floor -
the colors, shapes and textures kept us in good spirits.
-Ever sneaking up on her-
small washes gave way to larger gulleys and finally 
a small canyon hindered us from accessing her nearness.

We scrabbled down and through our final obstacle 
and stared up at her steep, rock-strewn slope,
too difficult to climb today. 
We must return another day and greet her once more.

Leaving her behind, we glanced over our shoulders.
Back into the desert we made our retreat
through the crunching of snow and reflected whiteness.
As scouts following a trail to camp, we made our way.

Off in the southern sky, we could see the fog
crawling along the valley floor, 
but we were safe for the time 
enjoying the grand spectacle that spread before us.

We had found the secret of Black Mountain.
Powerful forces had raised her head above the desert floor
and heated her from within.
Her skirts now covered with cinders.


Tired, but filled with accomplishment we were 
reminded of our smallness in this place.
Yet, with awe found a sleeping friend-
ate, played and laughed as we sat at her feet.