Elk Mountain Aglow During The Golden Hour

Sunday afternoon marked the return to my beloved Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge following surgery to replace my right knee.  I’d driven to the Refuge a few times since the surgery but never wandered farther than 50 yards from my truck.  Sunday afternoon was different.  I went through preparations for a hike into the very special Charons Garden Wilderness.  I admit I was packing light but at least I was packing.  It had been perhaps two years since the last time.  I was really homesick for the familiar trails.  Not knowing how my body would respond or how much stamina I possessed my expectations were minimal.  I was packing only the “be prepared” essentials I’d learned as a Boy Scout far too many years ago and never went to the wilderness without ever since.  And, of course I was taking a camera, but leaving extra lenses, filters, cards, and of course my tripod behind.  This was  a “just to see if I could” trip.I had reached the parking lot at Treasure Lake by 2:15 PM.  No other cars were there.  The slight breeze coming out of the north chilled the 47° air under a clear blue sky.  I pulled off my sweatshirt leaving only a long sleeve t-shirt.  Experience had taught me I would be plenty warm with my jacket on once I started hiking over the rugged terrain.  With backpack on, camera slung over my right shoulder, fingerless gloves, and my hiking staff I paused at the trailhead took a deep breath then stepped out onto the trail to an adventure that had been waiting too long.

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