A Hike to Wind Cave

by BJ Baker

It was one of those blue bird days in early fall in the Rocky Mountains. The air was cool and smelled sweet and clean that day when Tommy, myself, Rachael and Mosey, started out on a five mile hike to Wind Cave. I marveled at the quiet beauty of Teton Canyon in eastern Idaho and the joy of being free from the cares of every day living. All of us seemed lost in his own thoughts as we walked along, except Mosey who was so excited to just be there. All those wonderful smells! Can you smell it? Maybe it’s a coyote or a moose. Oh, there’s a creek. Gotta go swim, get a drink and mark my territory.

The trail was rocky and we went up in elevation quickly but with each turn, there were glorious sights to see. The Fireweed that was in bloom was a reminder that winter was not far away. We soon reached the perfect place to have a snack since it had a rock suited for sitting and a view that was beyond description. While we were enjoying our energy bars and water, Rachael told her Dad and I a little about the surrounding area. She pointed out downed trees and piled up rocks caused by avalanches in winter. It was then that I noticed Mosey prancing from Tommy to Rachael to me as if to say, “let’s go! There are more great smells up ahead. What are we waiting for?”

On we went, up and up, and I was getting a little tired, but would not admit it to my two tough, long legged hiking buddies who just kept walking up the trail as if it were nothing. Every now and then Rachael would turn around and ask: “you OK, Mom?” “Fine, I’m just fine,” I would say. I think Mosey knew the truth because she kept coming back to check on me and looking right in my eyes as if to say, “who do you think you’re kidding?” Then, all of a sudden I forgot about being tired because up ahead was a lovely waterfall. We were able to walk down to it and see it up close and even feel the water as it flowed down the rocks. We were getting higher in elevation where the Aspen trees were turning yellow and golden. With renewed energy, we headed for the next stop: Wind Cave.

As we hiked the final mile to Wind Cave, we discovered a very unusual rock formation. Tommy and Rachael stopped to examine all the layers and were in deep conversation when Mosey came running up the trail panting and wagging her tail saying: “you smell that? It’s horses. I smell horses.” In a minute or so four horses and riders came around the bend in the trail. Beautiful animals and friendly folks who gave us a wave and a “howdy” as they went on their way. Mosey wanted to go and make a new friend. Me? I would have liked a ride.

Finally! Wind Cave. As we approached, it was hand over hand in spots and very slippery. I had come this far and I was going all the way! When we got there, I couldn’t believe how big the cave was. It lived up to its name, that’s for sure, and the temperature dropped at least 20 degrees right away. The wind was strong and loud – and cold. We stayed for a long time exploring the cave and resting. Mosey wasn’t resting though. She was busy sniffing out all the different smells there and listening to the wind howling through the cave.

Too soon it was time to begin the five-mile trek back. As we walked, I though about the day, the beautiful sights we had seen, my husband and my daughter. In a day or two we would be leaving this beautiful place and our daughter to head home to Tennessee. I was happy and sad at the same time, but most of all thankful to God for this day. Then my thoughts returned to the walk and my family and I was happy to be there in the moment. Also, a smile came to my face as I realized that this part of the hike was all down hill.

Click here to see the photograph which inspired this story.