The Williamson Pack: Willow Creek Hike

Saturday we went for a hike up Willow Creek Trail. It was the first hike we’ve gone on in a while. When we got to the trailhead there were more cars than I expected there. A man had just returned from biking up the trail and another from riding his horse. The horseman told us he got about 1 mile up the trail before his saw got too dull and he turned back. The cyclist told us to keep an eye out for his family as they had turned back before him but were not at the vehicle. We quickly proceeded up the trail as the flies in the parking lot were unbearable. Keegan slowly trudged up the trail for about 50 feet before he decided he’d had enough. So we put him in the carrier and continued up the trail. Before long we came upon some huckleberry bushes. Most had nothing or tiny green berries developing but a few had some huckleberries. We gave one to Keegan thinking, since he’s not a big fruit fan, he’d turn away or just not like it. He readily ate it and asked for more. We couldn’t pick them as fast as he wanted them. He loved them! Soon, we were fresh out of huckleberries and continued up the trail.
Soon we were climbing a pretty steep trail and soon after that we’d hit the point where the horseman’s saw decided it’d had enough. Looking at the many downed trees we were going to have to climb over (with a child carrier on mind you) we also decided to turn back. On the way back we saw a sign the cyclists family had left for him and then we passed the cyclist headed up the trail to find his family. Hopefully he did.
It was great to get out and hike. Keegan had a smile on his face the entire time and by the end was singing quite the bumpy tune in Cobey’s ear. The bugs were horrible, the majority of the berries were far from ready, and the trail was steep. But in exchange we got to see a beautiful still full flowing creek, a few berries to eat, and good exercise, and not to mention, enjoy the smell and beauty of the woods.