Odessa Lake is a little ways off the beaten road -- two miles up a gradual slope, then a mile down a precipitous rocky canyon, at the throat of which the lake gathers. By the time I arrived on its shores, my feet were killing me and my shoulder (supporting the significant weight of my laptop, tablet, and day supplies) was threatening to fall off. By the time I got back to the trailhead, I wasas tired as I've ever been hiking -- and that's saying something. My chest and shoulders were still sore over twenty-four hours later.

Every step was worth it. Over the crystal-green waters of the lake, echoing back the shifting blue and silver of the cloud-puffed sky, Notchtop Mountain reared its scarred head. Snowpack impended on its flank and up several other faces. In the distance, a laughing ribbon of waterfall crashed down into the canyon, forming the icy stream that feeds Odessa. The canyon walls loomed on either side. Waterfowl squabbled on the mirror waters; their cackles, and the rustle of the bold chipmunk who tried to raid my pack, wove into the distant roar of the wind over the crags above. Delicate, exuberant wildflowers jeweled the streambed. As if I needed another reminder of how wild the place was, a duck waddled up as I sat there painting and tried to eat my shoe. (I fended her off, and she nibbled at my thumb.)

I'll not hesitate to do that hike again... though I think I'll leave the computer home next time.

(Fifth of my journal speedpaints.)

Tools: Wacom tablet, Elements 2, about eight hours

(c) 2007 ~Zalmaki