Popcorn Snow on Greys Peak

Constant bands of clouds

race across the sky

as we climb the trail

above the trees toward

misty Greys Peak early

in the morning.

We stop to admire

clusters of sunflowers

bobbing in the wind

and listen to the

whistle pigs’ piercing

calls echoing from

ledge to ledge as we

switch back and forth

just beneath the summit

under patches of blue

between the racing clouds.

At last we stand behind

Aasheltering ring of stones

protecting us from the

buffeting western winds

coming from gray clouds. But

as we eat our snacks, the clouds

let loose with stinging sheets

of grayish-white popcorn snow

awakening us to the reality

of fourteen thousand feet.