Snowshoeing in a Winter Wonderland

This last Wednesday, Nate and I had the opportunity to snowshoe to Stewart Falls. Since Nate had to work all last weekend, he got to take a day off in the middle of the week. My mom generously agreed to watch Austin during our excursion.

While we have hiked the trail many times before, this was our first time on snowshoes. I had seen a couple pictures of the icy waterfall in the winter, and I was excited to see it in person. It was a cold day with temperatures in the teens, so we bundled up the best we could and set out.

It couldn't have turned out better though. The whole hike was beautiful.

Really, you could say it was magical. The snow was dazzling as it sparkled in the sun. The flakes on the ground were soft and inviting.

Even the air glittered as the sun reflected off snowflakes dancing in the open space.

If you look closely, you can see the snowflakes glittering in the air.

It was definitely romantic. Especially since there was no one else around.

 

We seemed to be in some cold ethereal world full of intricate details and hung with icy crystals. I think I would hardly have been surprised to see a fairy flutter by.

The waterfall itself might have even been a towering fairy castle. Its frozen spikes were both foreboding and entrancing. Its overall form was stunning.

 

We made our way down to the river below where we could observe it from and different angle while enjoying some hot chocolate we had brought along.

It was no less amazing from the fall's base. In fact, it was completely breathtaking.

 

Beautiful. Delicate. Fragile. Tenuous. Surreal.

I don't think we could have asked for anything better.