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They all make quick work of filling water bottles and using the bathroom while Reid and I load up our packs. Then wesurround the trailhead sign and ask another hiker to take our picture before we begin making our way back over to the path.
“Just a reminder that we’ll probably be moving slower than everyone else,” I call out.
“I don’t know, Boyd’s been pretty slow so far,” Bishop says. “My money’s on him for caboose.”
Boyd wraps his arm around Bishop’s shoulders and tugs him in then gives him a quick tap in the nuts.
I roll my eyes. I guess it doesn’t matter how much older siblings get. We’re always just a bunch of kids when we’re together.
“Alright, Mitchell family. Let’s head out!”
Dad’s announcement is the indicator that it’s time to stop fucking around and get a move on, and we all fall in line behind him and begin making our way up the trail.
I’ve never been particularly active, not like Boyd or Bishop were with soccer and baseball, so long hikes like this are normally outside my comfort zone. But the thing I’ve always loved about this trek in particular is that the ascent might be long, but it isn’t crazy steep. Instead of short stretches of uphill climbs, it has long stretches of gentle incline, which is much easier on my calves that have always been on the weaker side.
It’s also one of the more scenic hikes in the Tahoe National Forest, which makes it so much more enjoyable. Creeks and streams that lead into the lake down below pepper the landscape, and there are at least a half dozen outlooks that showcase the entire valley. The trees stretch high into the sky and sit densely packed together, creating a canopy of shade that protects us from the hot sun.
Reid and Junie and I stop often, pulling out snacks and letting Junie pick flowers. Sydney stops to sniff everything and pee on as many trees and bushes as she can. We fall quite a ways behind the pack, even though Boyd and Ruby move the slowestto make sure we don’t get completely separated. Eventually, we just wave them on, letting them know they should feel free to keep going.
“I haven’t done this hike in years,” Reid says when we reach a sign that says we have one mile left. “I forgot how long it takes.”
“And we started at the halfway point,” I remind him.
He chuckles. “Even worse. I did it with my dad a few times and I was a lot faster back then.” Reid’s smile slips, and I can only imagine what he’s thinking about.
“You don’t have to put on a brave face for me,” I tell him, my voice quiet.
His eyes connect with mine before they look forward again.
“It’s not a brave face,” he says a few minutes later. “It’s just…sometimes I forget it’s not just about getting older. It’s because there’s this thing inside me, actively working against me, every single day.”
We stop for a second, tugging out our waters and taking a sip. I crouch down and beckon Junie my way, handing her the water as well.
“Well…when you’re thinking about that, what can I do?” I ask, standing and screwing the lid back on. “Do you want me to bring it up? Stay quiet? Listen if you want to talk?”
He considers me for a minute, his hands on his hips, looking at the path that lies ahead of us. “You know, I’ve never had someone to talk to about it, so…I’m not really sure. But, I’ll let you know.”
I nod. “Sounds good.”
“Junie, wanna shoulder ride?” Reid asks, crouching down.
Of course, my girl lets out a squeal and races his way, grabbing his hands as he flips her up onto his shoulders.
“She can probably walk the rest of the way,” I tell him, somewhat concerned he’s going to wear himself out.
Reid turns my way and gives me a look I’ll never forget. “I only get so many days in my life when I’ll be able to do this kind of stuff. Today is one of those days.”
I take a deep breath and nod, and then we keep walking.
I slink to the back and take out my phone, capturing a picture of the two of them, with Sydney trotting at Reid’s side.
Kilroy Camp is a small campground and not super popular, but my dad always books the same site each year just in case. When we get there, I don’t even need to wander around to find our crew, I just lead Reid to site three.
This spot is about a mile from the outlook that has the view of sunrise, and tomorrow morning, while it’s still dark, we’ll make our way out there. For tonight, we’re tucked into a mostly wooded area a little ways off the trail.
“There they are!” my mom calls out, waving with both hands over her head like we can’t see them in the wide-open space. “Just in time—we’re roasting hot dogs!”
Reid chuckles next to me. “They brought a grill?”
