Snowy September Sunrise at Winchester Mountain Lookout

The whole time leading up to my WA “scouting” trip (before my move), I was looking forward to this particular hike and camping at this particular fire lookout. It's a hidden gem, and a really special place. (As someone who specializes in scouting out hidden gem locations anywhere in the world, I was proud to have found this one.)

But after making the white-knuckle drive up the wily washboard road in thick fog and light rain, visibility diminishing, I started getting the feeling I might not get those views after all.

I waited about an hour in my Jeep to see what the weather would do, alongside one other car at the trailhead... and watched as it started to snow. After a while, I figured, it's only gonna get colder and darker from here on out, so I may as well start my hike. The other group wasn't far behind, same line of thought.

The higher in elevation I got, the thicker the snow, and the fog, too. I wondered what views I was missing out on, I was determined at least to see the lookout, the devout enthusiast that I am.

I got to the top, and already knew I definitely wasn't gonna be camping up here in these conditions, not by myself, not in the limited gear I had packed for my trip. So, I took a few photos, quickly made myself some coffee to warm myself up, then started my descent.

I didn't make it more than few hundred feet before meeting the other group of hikers from the trailhead (and their ADORABLE pup). After I said I was bailing, they insisted I come back up and hang out. So, that night, Erla and Jill and Matt and Mike and I played cribbage, cooked a bunch (any excuse to light up the stove!), drank a bunch, swapped stories, bitched about the cold, speculated here and there on whether the weather would clear overnight, and cursed under our breath anytime any of us had to open the door in the middle of the night to go out and take a leak.

It was fucking cold, but god DAMN was it worth it, for the best sunrise of my entire life. I've seen some incredible sunrises, but this one takes the CAKE. Also one of the more memorable experiences of my life, and a fantastic way to celebrate turning 27!