Composing haiku while walking...

[sekihiker]

Here is some Haiku I wrote during and shortly after a trip down the Enchanted Gorge.
Trip report at: http://www.sierrahiker.com/EnchantedGorge/index.html

Enchanted Gorge

The Approach

Disappointment Lake.
Hikers can't believe your name
after they see you.

Hell for Sure Pass? No.
Even at days end it is
more like Heck for Sure.

Through the mist I see
the faint outline of the giant
up Goddard Canyon.

Colorful tundra
clothes the slopes next to Martha.
Hikers watch your step!

Deep blue alpine lake
your collar of pristine snow
enhances your charm.

Dominant giant.
Magnet for clouds and climbers
we see you for leagues.

Ionian Basin
gateway to Enchanted Gorge
full of snow so late.

Down Enchanted Gorge

Chasm Lake
Inky dark chasm
hardly ever in sunlight
water blocking my way.

Break at waterfalls
soaking feet in cool waters
midst the wildflowers.

Trek Enchanted Gorge!
Hooray! Not one speck of dust
to shake from my sox.

Moving down canyon
humping over fields of rock,
back to the real world.

Kind pennyroyal,
often crushed by careless boots,
you smell just as sweet.

Red ants sense my food,
running over my body.
Why aren't they biting?

O, Hallelujah!
No horseshit in this canyon.
No stink and no flies.

Disappearing Creek
rushing fearlessly down canyon
then swallowed by rocks.

Grumbling far below
hidden by countless rock slides
the water wants out.

Reappearing Creek
bursting forth from a rock pile
sings praise to the sun.

Pure glittering pool
I wade through you in wonder
beauty without life.

No way around it.
Towering cliffs block the way.
I must swim the creek.

Magic butterfly
Red, yellow, orange. Beautiful
even with one wing.

Snow arch spanning creek,
you're the only way across.
I'm glad you held up.

Burn creek-side nettles!
I did not mean to brush you,
my legs still on fire.

Bathed but still naked
on granite writing haiku
and no biting bugs.

Camped on gravel bar
still in the gorge, Goddard Creek's
just around the bend.

Moving up Goddard Creek Canyon

Back on Goddard Creek
this time I'm hiking upstream
and with no partner.

You have your own gorge
with its crashing waterfalls
delight for the soul.

Goddard Creek's west fork
in the shade of Finger Peak
secret hideaway.

Heading Home from Blackcap

Horseshit and asters
in the Blackcap Basin Trail
insects love you both.

Big Maxson's ghost groans
when the trees in his meadow
sway in the breezes.

Bill Finch
August 1996

[rlown]

Nicely done!!

[sekihiker]

Nicely done!!

Thanks.

[sekihiker]

Crescent Meadow to Mineral King
August 1970
By Bill Finch

Bearpaw Meadow view
Nothing quite so beautiful
On this stretch of trail.

At Hamilton Lake
Hikers must set up their camps
It feels like home there.

Ah! Precipice Lake!
Everyone with a camera
Must capture the scene.

Wind whips through Pants Pass.
Scary up, scarier down.
Is it my last one?

Wary coyote
Trotting ‘cross the valley floor
Savvy, fat, and sleek.

Trees blocking the trail
Avalanches knocked them down
Snows of ’68.


Little golden trout
Of the Kern-Kaweah
Fill my belly now.

Kaweah Peaks Ridge
Suddenly bursts into view.
Am I in heaven?

Bath at Kern Hot Spring.
Luxury in wilderness.
Heavenly soaking.

Rattlesnake Creek Trail.
Kern River ribbon below
Hot dusty ascent.


Looks Like Luke’s Troops.

Birdcage atop pack!
Strangest sight I’ve ever seen
In the Sierra.

probably written sometime in the 80's or 90's about a trip with report at: http://www.sierrahiker.com/KernKaweah/index.htm