Sauk Mountain – Trip Report
Hike Summary:
Destination: Sauk Mountain Peak
Mileage: 2 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 1,200 feet
Weather Conditions: Mostly Sunny
This weekend I had the pleasure of going with my son on an AWANA camp out and hike. We left Friday at 5:30pm and drove east for about an out to Rockport. We camped at Howard Miller Steelhead Park. This was the second time I’ve stayed at this camp ground. It is right on the Skagit River so when the weather is warmer it’s fun to explore the river, swim or fish. We rented the adirondacks which have 8 bunks each for a total of 16 bunks. We had 17 boys and 7 Men. We spent the evening getting setup and the boys played games, we then took a hike out the back or west end of the park. The trail we took is probably a 1/2 mile or so and we wanted to familiarize our selves with the path so we could come back and hike it in the dark without lights. We got back to camp from the initial hike and Gene built a fire and we had hotdogs and chips. The boys played capture the flag. Then about 9:30pm we headed out for the dark hike. It was pitch black out, but as our eyes adjusted the walk was not too bad. Andrew did a devotional and gave the message of the gospel. It was neat sitting along the river with the stars and listening to him. One of the boys about half-way through raised his hand. Andrew finished and asked him what his question was, we were all expecting a deep question 
about Andrews devotion. But the boy asked, “what do you think that light is over that mountain?” We had a good laugh. It was an air plane. We saw a couple of shooting stars. When we got back to camp we roasted marshmallows then pretty much went to bed. Gene and I with two boys ended up sleeping out under the stars. It was a beautiful night.
In the morning we packed up and made breakfast. Josh, Gene, Ryan and Andrew whipped up bacon, eggs and pancakes. mmm it was a good breakfast. Then we finished last minute packing and drove up to the trail head for Sauk Mountain. The parking lot is at about 4,400 feet. The hike goes straight into switchbacks and climbs 1000 feet. It is a gorgeous climb, all kinds of color, no bugs, grasshoppers were everywhere. The trail hooks around the bend of the mountain and then you get a whole new panorama of sights of mountains to the east. Eventually you come to Sauk Lake trail. We decided to just head to the summit. It was beautiful up on top. The weather was great. The peak is right around 5,500 feet. It’s about the same elevation Gene and I camped at during our PCT hike labor day weekend. Gene, Josh and I with our sons chose to scramble the ridge line to the highest peak. It was pretty cool and a little un-nerving due to the nature of the trail, if you 
can call it that. We made it without incident though. We headed back to the main group and had some snacks and Gene did an awesome devotion on how we live and leave an example to those coming behind us. It took us about an hour and a half or so to get to the top. We headed back down and had lunch at the vans. It was a great trip and I highly recommend going. Fantastic scenery is the reward for those willing to make the trek.
One take away I have so far this year and has been impressed on me lately in working with these boys in Awana is the fact that I have no idea what kind of lives these young boys have at home. I know a little bit from a couple of them, so I know a few don’t have dad’s around, even in the state, one never sees his dad. I don’t know where their parents are in their faith. I know that some don’t come to church and a neighbor brings them to Church and/or Awana. I do know that I have an opportunity to show them Christ every Tuesday night. To impact them with Christ’s love and the message of the gospel and it might be the only opportunity they have to hear it. Its tough for me with what I feel is the busyness in my life to try to get close to these boys. My Pastor said something Sunday that tied in with how I’ve been feeling about these boys though. Basically God has put me in this place with this opportunity at this particular time. When God 
calls me home I know he’s going to ask me what I did with this opportunity he gave me to disciple these young boys, and whether I’m just getting by to get done with the evening or event, or if I’m showing up and helping with their verses and if I take ownership for being an example to them in their lives and investing in them the gospel that can change their lives forever. I think I’ve taken the easy road for to long and need to do the hard thing and find out just were these boys are living and how I can give them what they desperately need. Pray for me….
God give me the strength and conviction I need to impact these boys with the gospel and use the gifts and talents you’ve given me to show them who Christ is. Please forgive me for taking the easy path so many times. Please let it glorify you, Lord let them see you and help me to not be afraid to step into their world.
S
