Lost Lake

Beautiful. Tranquil. Serene. While looking at this picture you might think that but then, you’re not the one who almost died there.

Awhile back, my friend, Bobby, and I hiked into this lake. We were told it was an eight-mile hike through some major snowdrifts but worth it because the lake had some large fish. Armed with our fishing poles, tackle boxes, and one beer each we started the trek.

Without a compass or map, we hiked through the snowdrifts and found the lake. We were thrilled to discover no one was there. We had the entire lake to ourselves.

We spent the day fishing, talking, and taking pictures. But, like all good things, it came to an end and we started the hike out.

Somewhere on the way out we took a wrong turn and found ourselves at a lake we hadn’t passed earlier in the day. Not wanting to miss an opportunity we stayed and fished a little longer. All the while, the sun was starting to set.

We left the lake and after awhile found ourselves sitting on a rock pile neither of us recognized. That’s when Bobby made the declaration, “Well, it’s official – we’re lost.” Then handing me a beer he said, “We might as well really cloud our judgment.” Sitting on the rock pile, we both freely admitted we had no idea where we were.

I looked at my cell phone - no service. When I started to chuckle, Bobby asked what so funny. “Nobody knows where we are, we can’t call for help, and to make matters worse we just wasted the twenty-five cent search and rescue surcharge on our fishing license,” I replied.

By the time we left the rock pile the sun had set and it was getting dark. But, we kept telling each other that things were looking familiar. Then rounding a bend in the trail, there sat the truck.

Resting on the tailgate of the truck eating the best pepperoni and cheese I have ever tasted, I recalled the events of the day. We had hiked over eight miles through some high snowdrifts, caught no fish, got lost in the Colorado wilderness without food or water, and then somehow managed to find our way out.

I started to chuckle realizing it could be worse. The lead news story could have been, ‘Well Known Forester Found Dead in the Forest’. That would have been embarrassing.