Summiting Lily Mountain Peeking through the forest to catch a glimpse of Mary’s Lake. PHOTO BY OMAYRA ACEVEDO[/caption]

I had been feeling underwhelmed yet overstimulated. The hosting of company, packing and unpacking, working, attending school, and getting used to my new life are all great things but a lot to take in at once. I rolled out of bed, almost literally, and continued my winter preparations at the cabin.

Long before noon, I was ready to use my energy differently. I got in my truck and headed towards one of the local hikes. Luckily for me, it was a Monday, and there were few hikers on the trail, except the young man walking his dog and cat. Yes, you read that correctly.

Roughly six miles south of Estes Park on Highway 7 is the Lily Mountain Trailhead. There’s no official parking, and the trail marker indicating its location is almost impossible to see. I loved it already. Welcome to Lily Mountain Trail!

Though not technically a part of the Rocky Mountain National Park Trail System, it’s listed as such. It’s part of the Roosevelt National Forest, which the trail travels entirely through. The path begins on a ridge above Highway 7, exposing beautiful views of the Estes Park valley almost immediately.

You don’t feel the almost 1200 feet of elevation gain until you get through the first mile. After that, I recommend you take breaks to enjoy the scenery and keep track of the trail via the arrows posted on the trees. When you get close to the summit, the trail sort of disappears. Keep going and scramble up the rocks and boulders. The view will blow you away, and pictures don’t do it justice.

I got to the very top and felt a little disoriented by the depth of the mountains before me. Mount Meeker, Longs Peak, the Continental Divide, part of the Mummy Range, Estes Cone, and Twin Sisters Peak all filled the surreal 360-degree view.

I sat for a while, contemplating the two-mile ascent and descent, my weariness, and the hunger I had not felt in quite some time. After enjoying my snack, I looked up at the mountains, and all I could do was whisper a simple “thank you.”

On the Lily Mountain Trail, you’ll experience a little bit of everything, from a canopy of trees offering relief from the sun to rocky terrain and exhaustion to inspiration. The thing is, it all comes at the right moment, exactly like life.

It had been a beautiful, long, and tiring September. Through life’s trials and tribulations, I continue to consider myself a lucky person. However, that luck is the result of hard work and pushing through years of tears and disappointment.

Lily Mountain reminded me there’s value in believing in yourself, especially through challenging times. It also reminded me that life has never let me down, and I simply need to trust its timing.

To find out more about Lily Mountain check out their website at: http:// www.rockymountainhikingtrails.com/ lily-mountain.htm.