Gavan Hill Trail, Up and Up and Up

There was nary a cloud in the sky when I woke up this morning. That being the case, I wanted to hike up the Gavan Hill Trail to see a panoramic view of Sitka and its surroundings. The trail head is about a half mile from downtown Sitka and looks deceptively easy from the start. But the guidebooks list it as a strenuous hike, and after 5 hrs, I agree! Let's just say it was 2530 feet up in a mostly "up" fashion. Soft ground calls for wooden planks in places along with rock trails and steps carved into the granite at one point. Downhill was no picnic either. A very rigorous hike indeed! So, without further ado, the wonder of the Gavan Hill trail:

Up and over, although I did not know it at the time.

Lots of walkways early on so as not to disturb the fragile ground.

But there were plenty of this type of "trail" as well. Very narrow and wet in places too. I slipped once coming down and bounced a few feet before catching myself. Tip: be careful when stepping on smooth, rounded wood logs that are wet, especially when going downhill.

1000 foot marker. Only 1530 more to go!

Beautiful green everywhere.

Crazy steps again!!

Some ice left as I approached the top.

Who dat?

Getting close to the top. These are the stone steps with ropes on the sides. Some of the steps were hauled in and some were carved out of the existing granite.

Gavan Hill Summit.

Closer view of the summit.

An even closer view, with people approaching the top.

The following are views from the summit. The eagles were soaring, the wind was light. It was a glorious summit and the Buddha and I were so close we could almost touch the sky.

That is the runway.

Eagle soaring!!

Saw these flowers on the way back down the trail.

While I was sitting at the top, ruminating on my good fortune, a song kept going through my mind. It was "Desperado" by the Eagles. So, for Pam, who will always have a special place in my heart, and for whom it will mean the most, the lyrics:

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now.
Oh, you're a hard one,
But I know that you've got your reasons.
These things that are pleasin' you,
Can hurt you somehow.

Don't you draw the queen of diamonds, boy,
She'll beat you if she's able.
Know the queen of hearts is always your best bet.
Now it seems to me, some fine things,
Have been laid upon your table.
But you only want the things that you can't get.

Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger:
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home.
And freedom, oh freedom,
Well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking,
Through this world all alone.

And don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow, the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're loosin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling,
Goes away?

Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, and open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you,
You better let somebody love you,
You better let somebody love you,
You better let somebody love you,
Before it's too late.

Peace.