Birthday Hike

Since moving to Santa Fe in 2001, when I was 65, I’ve been celebrating my birthday by hiking to Nambé Lake, a mountain lake surrounded by steep cliffs. From the ski basin it’s over seven miles, going up to 11,400’ with more than 2,000’ elevation gain.

Every year it feels as if the trail gets steeper and longer. Although I managed to do it last year, it was difficult. More than a few times I wondered if I should turn back before finishing. I kept going, on will power and the strong desire to reach the lake. 

This year I’m turning 90. The number is playing tricks with my brain. Maybe I’m too old. How old is too old? I do my best to quell unhelpful thoughts but it isn’t easy. Fortunately, the two friends who offer to come with me have no reservations. They laugh at my worries.

We start up the Winsor trail on a cool morning, two days before my 90th birthday. The first part is about 8/10 of a mile steeply up. I set a steady, slowish pace and tell my friends I’ll meet them at the gate. They say the pace is fine. I feel encouraged hiking this first bit without stopping. 

At the gate, which marks the beginning of the wilderness area, we sit on a bench, rest for a few moments then start down, moving more quickly until we reach the turnoff where we start up, then steeply up until we arrive at a meadow where we stop for a snack. I tell myself to focus on enjoying the moment, all too aware of the steep climb awaiting us.

The next part of the trail is not only steeply up, it’s relentlessly steep. It’s also eroded so we hike on roots and rocks a good part of the time. I tell myself I can do this. I keep repeating my mantra: one step, one step, slowly, slowly, thank you, thank you. I feel a surge of relief when the trail becomes less steep but the last part is up up up. En route, one of my friends says, “I’m outing you.” He tells the few people we meet that I am 90. Each time I’m greeted with happy birthday wishes—emotional support that gives me the energy to finish the climb.

When we arrive at the lake I feel a deep sense of gratitude—to my body for managing once again to celebrate my birthday by hiking to the lake—and to my friends for their encouragement and faith in my ability to do the hike.

As we walk around the lake, toward a place to have lunch, I overhear a group of young people talking about what a hard hike it is, how they struggled up the steep climbs, I grin, asking one of them to repeat what she said. I’m delighted to know even young people find the hike difficult.

At lunch we share smoked salmon and guacamole on Ryvita and cherries, drinking water, nibbling on chocolate covered golden berries for dessert. 

I feel refreshed and restored as we make our way down down down. I trudge up up up the last mile before the gate. A couple sitting on the bench hears about my birthday hike and wish me a happy birthday. So many strangers offering birthday wishes makes the hike extra special.

The last 8/10 of a mile is downhill. I lead the way as if I’m dancing, so filled with joy my feet barely touch the ground. It’s the best birthday hike ever.


How old is old?