There’s something about waking up at 4:00 AM that makes you question your life choices—until you’re halfway up a mountain watching the world shift from black to deep purple to fiery gold.
Last weekend, I set out to hike Cedar Ridge Trail with nothing but a thermos of gritty coffee, my stubborn dog, and a promise to myself that I’d make it to the overlook by sunrise. The air was cold enough to bite, but the silence made it worth it—just me, the crunch of my boots, and the occasional hoot from a distant owl.
Cedar Ridge isn’t a tough trail, but those early switchbacks wake you up faster than any espresso ever could. By 5:45 AM, I was above the tree line. The horizon cracked open like a slow-blooming flower, and the valley below filled with mist that looked like it was being poured from a pitcher.
I sat on a flat boulder with my boots steaming and my dog curled beside me. We watched the sun rise in complete silence, save for the wind stirring the pine needles. That moment? It’s why I hike.
If you’re heading out there yourself: bring layers, leave early, and don’t forget a headlamp—the trail can be a little sketchy in the dark. Oh, and don’t sleep on the cinnamon buns at the gas station just outside town. Trust me.
Until next trail.
Leave a Reply