Back to Long Lake - Showing my Cousins the Ropes

Going back to Long Lake in 2023 felt almost surreal. The last time I was here was in 2019, when I was still relatively new to backpacking. I remember how heavy my pack felt, how each uphill climb seemed endless, and how I mostly followed others instead of leading. This time was different.

Now I was older, with many trips behind me, and I was the one showing my two cousins, both in their twenties, the ropes. Even though they were older, I had the miles under my belt, the calluses on my feet, and the confidence that comes from knowing I can handle tough trails.

It felt strange at first, pointing out things to people who used to babysit me, but it also felt right.

The trail to Long Lake was just as beautiful as I remembered. The tall pines swayed above us, sunlight flickered through the branches, and the air smelled sharp and clean. When the trees opened up to reveal the shimmering lake at the base of the mountains, I saw the same look of awe on their faces that I had back in 2019.

We had a blast, eating by the water, climbing onto lake ice, laughing around camp, and watching the mountains turn pink in the evening light.

For me, the best part wasn’t just being back at Long Lake. It was seeing my cousins discover it for the first time. I used to be the one learning; now I was the one teaching.

The lake was the same, but I wasn’t. And that made the trip unforgettable.