Hikes afford the moments to reflect on the beauty around us

There are moments when all is still, and all that’s felt is pure peace and serenity. Moments when just the surroundings can take a breath away. These moments are meant to be cherished.

Nothing can bring that feeling like standing at the top of a mountain, with nature all around you.

It all starts with waking up early, determination set in my mind. At the beginning of the trail, I am a different person. There’s one goal for the day and that is to make it to the top. I set out knowing my adventure has just begun. My body is pumped and ready to take on the trail, with my dad right in front of me.

As we press on, I look about myself appreciating the beautiful sights and sounds. The birds chirping, trees towering tall, flowers scattered here and there. Sometimes we come upon huckleberries along the trail and we eat them. That is one of the glorious things about living in Montana.

You can always have a little treat as you walk. I walk along the trail, stepping over sticks and rocks. Plants brush my legs and tickle my face, I occasionally run into a spider web.

My dad and I are at the halfway mark when we take a break. We take a snack from our packs, drink some water, rest for a few more moments, then we keep moving. I can feel the strain of my muscles as I push them to their limit. I have scratches and I’ve been bitten by mosquitoes. I am tired, but I know the results will be worth the hard work.  

My excitement builds as we draw nearer to the end, almost there.

I push my hardest until finally, I’ve made it. I see beautiful mountains lining up in front of me, all different in their own unique ways. I fill my lungs with the cool, sweet mountain air. I lay down, my head on my pack, knowing I’ve accomplished my goal. As I lay, I shut my eyes and feel my surroundings. Everything is so peaceful. I feel the breeze on my skin and the sun shining in my face. I smell the sweet scent  of trees and flowers. These are the moments I cherish. The moments that take my stress away, that make me feel like nothing matters except being there on that mountain.

Voices in the Wilderness is presented as part of the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, signed into law by Lyndon Johnson on Sept. 3, 1964. The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, one of our community treasures, was created at that moment, one of the very first National Wilderness Areas. To visit it is a pleasure. To live nearby is a privilege.

Many local, regional and national celebrations are planned to honor 50 years of the Wilderness Act. Below is a short list of events planned for Northwest Montana:

• May 2: Meet, Greet and Beat at the Riverbend Restaurant on Highway 37. Music, free appetizers and beverage specials to celebrate the kickoff of the 2014 hike and outdoor education summer season. Sponsored by Montana Wilderness Association.

• July 11, 12 and 13 – A Weekend for Wilderness at Bull Lake Rod and Gun Club. Music, camping, displays, demonstrations, a full day of activities for kids, historic presentations and more.

• July 19 and 20 — The Yaak Wilderness Festival will be back in the Yaak at the Yaak River Tavern and Mercantile; hosted by the Yaak Valley Forest Council

• Aug. 23 — Wiley and Wild West are coming to Libby’s Riverfront Park courtesy the Montana Wilderness Association and Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. This is a free family-friendly event.

• Sept. 20 — a “Go Wild” community event at Flathead Valley Fairgrounds Expo Building in Kalispell. Celebrating the solitude, beauty and wildness of Montana’s most treasured landscapes. Wilderness education, displays, music, food and hands-on activities for the entire family. Hosted by: Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, Back Country Horsemen of the Flathead, Flathead Audubon, Flathead National Forest, Glacier Institute, Glacier National Park, Headwaters Montana, Hungry Horse News, Montana Wilderness Association, Montana Conservation Corps, USFS Nine Mile Packstring, Swan View Coalition and the Sustainability Fund.

Mark your calendars. It will be a celebratory summer.  

(Courtney Bowe is a sophomore at Libby High School. She enjoys running cross country, reading and spending time outdoors with her family and her dog Tikka.)