December 16, 2024. We rose at 4:00AM, left the RV Park at 5:00AM, arrived at the Lost Mine trailhead at 6:00AM. We were the first ones there. We had hemmed and hawed about whether we should go that early; whether we should try to get up to the top for the sunrise. We opted to challenge ourselves, take the uncomfortable option.

The Big Bend website says: The Lost Mine Trail rises 1,100 feet over 2.4 miles (4.8 miles round-trip) and provides excellent views of the surrounding mountains and desert.

The moon was full. The path was well-defined. We went up up up, slowly but surely. The mountains were silhouetted around us. 

The Big Bend website says “This is mountain lion and black bear country! Keep children close to you; do not let them hike alone or run ahead of the group. If you see a mountain lion, do not run.” At first I was scared. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my.

Fear is tiresome. I let it go and felt the stillness, the peace, the incredible dark muted beauty around me. 

We were the first ones on the trail that morning, but as we hiked, many younger folks passed us on the trail.

I remembered what my son said many years ago when we backpacked together: “Mom, you don’t see these things unless you walk in on your own two feet.” I felt so grateful, so proud of ourselves for choosing to do this. We kept calling ourselves bad-ass old ladies for getting out there. 

The sun was due to rise at 7:40AM. We made it to the top at 7:30AM. The wind was blowing. We found a perch and watched the sun rise.

One of the major things I have learned on this trip is that I am greatly, incredibly, hugely rewarded for feeling the fear and doing it anyway.