Avalanche!

The whole family hiked two miles west of the village to see this fabled "huge avalanche" we'd heard about for days. We were all blown away by the scale of this thing! The smell of pine was strong in the air, from the many trees which had been snapped into pieces and carried down along with rocks and other rubble during this powerful event.

My friend, Liz, can be seen exploring higher regions of this mammoth slide.

The rubble from the avalanche supports the weight of Nate the Great, a stark contrast to the peaceful mist which rolled down the Railroad Creek Valley.

Bob, Nate and Maya start gingerly climbing the site of the avalanche which occurred about a week and a half ago.

Standing on this huge avalanche field, we wondered what things will look like on the trail to Hart Lake which we have hiked several times in the summer and fall. How much trail damage has occurred? With the size of this avalanche, we're thinking there will be a significant amount of trail repair that will need to take place next summer when hopefully much of this avalanche debris will have melted.

But yesterday, we just soaked up the sun and delighted in the unique experience of being able to explore in person the effects of a recent avalanche. Who'd have thought we'd have the chance to climb all over such an amazing and powerful wonder of nature?