Return to Naha

From Naha Bay to Heckman Lake is a stretch of about six miles. I was there six weeks ago to hike and assess the entire trail and related cabins, three weeks ago to attack encroaching shrubbery on the section between Jordan Lake and Heckman, and now the past four days to complete the brushing process. It occurs to me that I've spent more time and energy there than any other site this summer, which makes this final trip a cause for bittersweet celebration.

This time around I had the chance to participate in the trail inventory with Jacob, the man in charge of monitoring use throughout the area. He checked through a painstakingly detailed list that included every log step, elevated boardwalk, and piece of natural tread, while I followed behind with the mile counter. The contraption consisted of a large wheel with small spokes sticking out at one foot intervals, a unit that clicked as it tallied each foot, and a metal frame of retina-searing orange. Imagine a spindly unicycle with handles instead of a seat and there you have it. I wheeled that thing from the dock at the ocean up, over, and down every single root and rock and stair, all 30,576 feet to Heckman Lake. The first day we got as far as Jordan Lake, then returned the next day to finish the task, for a grand total of 20 miles round trip. And then the fun really began, brushing and clearing the 2 mile section of trail closest to salt water.

Even while my back was aching from bending over to grab salmonberry and devil's club, I couldn't help but marvel at the place. The river was chock full of humpy salmon running up to spawn and the banks were teeming with wildlife. We saw seven black bears the first day, nine the second, a resident family of mergansers, and bald eagles up the wazoo, including a swimming one. Hiking back to camp one evening we came around a corner and suprised the eagle sitting on a rock by the river. It attempted to flee, but after three or four clumsy flaps failed to take off and sank into the water, "oh crap" written all over its face. With a look of forced nonchalance, the eagle turned around and stroked its way to back to dry land in a surprisingly graceful manner.

In other momentous news, on Saturday, 57 years ago, my grandparents got hitched, so happy anniversary to them. Congratulations, MB and PB, I love you guys!