Off The Beaten Path

"I thought it would be easier to come home if I picked a trail in my backyard," says sister of mine.

"Go figure, I survived 5 days in the back country only to fall and crack ribs in my back yard," I counter back.

The Beaten Path as it is called, or as the push is gaining momentum to rename it to the Blaze Trail, starts at Highway 212 close to Cooke City, MT and 26 miles later ends at Alpine, MT.  I grew up in this drainage, hiking running, picking berries, backpacking.  My parents built a cabin just down the road from the Alpine trail head.  I have wanted my children to see  more than just the first few miles for so long.  This year, 30 years waiting with baited breath, I had the honor to travel the entire trail with a group of 4 other ladies.  One being my youngest daughter.

30 years of memory loss, forgetting how steep the trail is, how beautiful the flowers are, how cold the creek crossings are.  In 30 years the rocks got bigger, the cliff at Impass Falls was higher and steeper.   The ground was still hard to sleep on, nights still chilly. Dehydrated food still causes gastric issues.

Me, Neville, Carla,Marci, Toni and Anna

We five women traveled this trail taking care of ourselves. Problem solving, supporting each other, acknowledging we all had different expectations of this trip.  We all came into the trip with our

Anna helping Toni at one of the many crossings

unique set of skills and abilities.  Two mothers, two daughters and one great friend.  (and Neville the token guy though he was a dog). We exited at Alpine as a cohesive family.

My daughter, Toni.  How do I explain her?  High energy, up for and adventure, goofy strong as the next hiker and has Down Syndrome.  Yep, that is right she has a disability.  One that should define what she can and cannot do.  She has never played by the rules.  I was not worried that she would not be able to make the trip.   When it was explained to her that we would see the cabin and her treasured Ipad in five days she exclaimed, "Five days! Oh, No!" Then never looked back.

Hiking like a pro.

I would hope others with Down Syndrome have had the opportunity to hike this trail.  I don't know of any. This makes me beam just a bit.  Toni hiked as one of us, carrying her pack, falling in to the stream, picking flowers, doing the dishes.  A true team member.  Her vision is such that she cannot see the rocks in the trail well.  I would be terrified, not Toni, she kept on going.

So many flowers so little time.

The beauty of this trip.  The quiet, the solitude.  There was no chaos of daily life, just the current of feet hitting the trail.   It was a different trip for me.  I am a river woman.  This was 30 years worth the wait.

Beaten Path you have reclaimed my heart.  I will not wait another thirty years to get back to you.

At the top of the trail.