Golden grasses waved in the wind. Vivid blue sky. Mountains shining with new snow. The soft rattling of millions of Aspen leaves filled my heart. Air so cool and clear it seemed I could reach out and ping it.

I flushed out coveys of Chukar partridges that soared aloft, landing nearby. A lone Western Meadowlark sang beautifully, usually a sign of Spring.

Today with three women, I hiked 5.5 miles gaining 2,000 feet in elevation. Sage Hill Trails of Wenatchee are Cascade Mountain foothills, embracing the town on the west.

At noon, I cut out because I need to be at the high school before 3 p.m. Will help the girl I'm mentoring with the FAFSA application that opened today.

The other three women headed up to high ridges. They plan to do a high, curving 12-mile loop, then down to the cars. Instead I walked an hour down a steep, gravel service road to my car.

After being on a trail, a road is hard underfoot. Trucks and bicycles ram down dirt. Mountain bikes carve a deep groove, making it hard to walk. Instead I walked on soft grass in the middle of the road. The steep road was slanted, crushing one knee.

It was exquisitely beautiful, nevertheless.

Western Meadowlark singing:

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Photos:

The Enchantments, 8,000' to 10,000'. See how mountains create weather?

Yellow Rabbitbrush flowers.

Wenatchee Mountains with new snow.

We never saw pink Buckwheat flowers before!