Timpanogos.

Today, I hiked

all the way

to the tippity top

of Mount Timpanogos.

View from the top. 

I've wanted to do that

for five years,

and I did.

There we were,

on the top of a mountain

taller than

all the other mountains

around it,

huddled with friends for warmth,

sharing snacks,

taking selfies,

while we waited for the sun to rise.

We watched it slowly light

the mountain faces

and the whole valley,

and then the hills burst to life

with wildflowers

and trees

that we couldn't see or imagine

during the 7 miles up

in the dark of night.

We saw mountain goats

and I crossed fields of rocks

and one million switchbacks.

Photo Cred: Mike Shaha

I have always felt like

Mount Timpanogos stands

as the queen of the valley,

and today I was queen of the mountain.