Poo Poo Point!
- navakallc
- May 19, 2024
- 3 min read
I just get happier and happier as summer approaches in pacific northwest (PNW). Every time the sun shines or the breeze blows through my hair, I reminisce and get reminded that hiking season is about to begin. Over the years, my parents and I came across a new family hobby, something that satisfies all our choices when we go outside. For me, it’s the rush of the trail and the view at the top.
As you choose a trail to hike, I like the surprise of the view we’ll get at the top, not wanting to spoil it by watching photos in advance. The journey towards the destination is a quote I live by, “every waking moment another experience I get to live”. I walk up the steep slope toward the final leg of the trail, my heart pounding and a stich at my side that I’m trying to ignore. One-step, two-step, the rhythm of my leg matches with the beat of my heart, sweat inching down on my face.
The blood rushes to my face, my cheeks red as if I’ve just applied blush, gushing as the heat of the day catches up to me. My brain can feel the rush I’m experiencing, drumming in my mind, my ears quivering at each pound of my legs. Suddenly I stop, the path leading to two ways. Quickly, I turn towards my dad, always the GPS, to ask him where to go. I pivot towards the path he’s pointing at, soon stopping again, trying to catch my breath. I can’t though, because my breath gets stuck as I gaze upon the breathtaking view of the beautiful lake so many feet below us, the burbling of the water due to the wind still audible over the slight breeze on this beautiful summer day.
Poo Poo Point, that’s the name of the hike. Poo Poo Point is at an elevation of 1748 feet, and the loop trail is about 7.2 miles long. It was one of the first trails we did, directly plunging into the deep zone, due to the elevation and the length of it. One of the main things that mesmerized me was the density of the forest and the trees all around us as we hiked to the top. The dense woods didn’t let any sunlight in, and the sky was almost invisible from inside. The only sounds for miles was the birds chirping, the swishing of branches in the wind, and the water far below. The name of the trail first comes from the train whistle nearby, which was the loggers’ signal to load the wood on the cart. The whistle sounded oddly like poo poo, and the name stuck.
I walked forward a few steps and sat down, my eyes moving a mile a minute as I try to take everything in. There are mountains in the far distance, with one special one soaking in all the attention. Mt. Rainier. It’s the active volcano in the cascade mountain range, something that truly glistens when the perfect light falls on it.
Something this hike is special for are the number of paragliders that zoom across the scenery in front of us, spinning and twirling in the air. It’s magical to see all the colorful parachutes swiftly gliding down, me trying to keep my eyes on them until they touch the ground, mixing with all what seems like the tiny grasslands and buildings from up here.
That was what I felt after my first hike. I started to love just roaming around and exploring without a fixed objective, taking in all the nature and looking for an escape from life. Each hike gives me a different view, a different season, and most importantly, a different experience. I love the way I feel after a hike, rejoiced and ready to head back to school. It always manages to refresh me.
Hiking has taught me quite a few experiences, especially the ones that have to do with perseverance, and not giving up when you’re so close to your goal, because the reward is breathtaking. It’s a reward earned and well-deserved after the journey you persevered through. It taught me to have patience. Now every summer, my parents and I hike on different trails, experience new terrains, and most importantly, have fun together.