Azul

June 25

            Blue sky against Red Fir. The vivid blue in this California Sierra Nevada sky is hard to describe. It is a hue so profound and clear that it's somewhat startling every time you look up. Viewed against Red Firs or other dark green conifers it just glows a brilliant blue. I found myself stopping several times to just stare up as we hiked out from our first overnight at Weaver Lake. It was my first night camped out under the Sierra Nevada stars... another momentous day.

            I'm not sure I've seen stars like I did last night at 8,700 feet. Intense! Planets visible. Constellations everywhere. We had a "Leave No Trace" Forest Service training with our super cool supervisor Miguel. As such it was my first view of the Wilderness I will be patrolling over the Summer. The area is part of The Jennie Lakes Wilderness inside of Sequoia National Forest. It includes Weaver Lake and Jennie Lake, two glacial lakes about five miles apart in the Sierra high country. Crystal clear water shimmering against the white moraine that always litters the areas surrounding these glacier-carved lakes. Lodgepole Pines, Red and White Firs, Ponderosa Pines, a few White Pines appear. It’s all so new, yet so comforting.

I'll be spending a lot of time up here the next three months, patrolling the backcountry and soaking in this absolutely stunning shade of amazing azul filling up the sky and absorbing the horizon. More blessings appear everyday once in these mountains.