Adventurion

Introduction

The day began with a sense of anticipation and uncertainty. After a day of heavy rain, we decided to cancel our original plan to hike one of the mountains ⛰️ from the Saranac 6er challenge in Adirondacks. Instead, we picked the trail to Owl’s Head Lookout for no particular reason—maybe because it was relatively close to our B&B where we were staying for that trip, or because I had added this trail to my “to-hike” map 🗺️. Regardless, we decided to give it a try. Who could imagine that we will be rewarded with double rainbow on the summit. We had studied the forecast over and over, each report offering a different story – some with the promise of clearing skies, others with a continued downpour.

Preparing for the Journey

The decision was certain. We had already wasted the whole day due to the non-stop 🌧️ and couldn’t spend another day indoors. Although our B&B had a nice playroom with a pool table and ping-pong, we weren’t here for that. We had to go out.

Shoes, rain jackets, spare socks 🧦 – everything needed to be ready for the unpredictable weather waiting for us in the mountains. Up there, the weather can change so suddenly, and we had to be prepared for that.

The Ascent

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” — Confucius

Finally, we arrived at the trailhead. To my surprise, there were already a few cars parked in the parking lot. This was a good sign—it meant that the trail was most likely walkable.

After a quick stop to check in and adjust our hiking poles, we started the ascent.

The trail itself was not difficult. My only concern was the conditions after the rain and how the weather would change during the day. According to the map, one-third of the trail goes along a spring, which could be problematic, but we decided to keep going.

It seemed like the trail was not very muddy, which was a very pleasant surprise. But soon it started zigzagging, crossing the springs. Although most of the crossings were not hard, they definitely slowed us down.

All the way to the summit, the trail goes through the forest, so it was hard to see the sky and get an idea of what was coming. But we saw a few rays of the sun, which was very encouraging.

Then the trail suddenly turned almost 90 degrees to the left, and we had a glimpse of the sky. Unfortunately, I didn’t like what I saw—a big cloud was moving in our direction. We needed to speed up. Easier said than done. The last section of the trail is the steepest. Nevertheless, it was too late to turn back. We decided to continue the ascent.

Reaching the Summit

“Never lose hope. Storms make people stronger and never last forever.” — Roy T. Bennett

The summit welcomed us with strong winds and drizzling rain. The hikers who were already on the summit started quickly packing and descending. I felt very disappointed—all this hike up just to turn back right away?

We had just climbed up and wanted to spend at least half an hour before leaving the summit. Would the weather allow it?

While taking a break and sheltering among the trees, we realized the sky had cleared. Without wasting another second, we emerged to take in the beautiful views from the summit. It was quite spectacular—the rocky slopes of Owl’s Head Lookout contrasting with the vibrant fall colors of the leaves and the majestic peaks in the background. It was a true reward.

The Double Rainbow at Owl’s Head Lookout

“Rainbows remind us that even after the darkest clouds and the fiercest winds, there is still beauty.” — Katrina Mayer

Then, suddenly, a big rainbow appeared. It felt so close that we could almost touch it. I couldn’t believe my eyes. As if that wasn’t enough, another rainbow showed up right behind the first one. Seeing double rainbow at Owl’s Head Lookout was so magical – like Mother Nature was welcoming us and encouraging us to never give up. It seemed we could stand there forever. I was so happy that, despite all the weather conditions, we had chosen to go out and explore.

The Descent

Unfortunately, all good things eventually come to an end. I looked toward the mountain from which the first cloud had arrived, and there was another, much bigger cloud emerging. We quickly finished our snacks with some hot, warming tea and started our descent.

The fact that the weather was changing again didn’t spoil our mood. We were very happy with the result. Such hikes prove again and again that unpredictable weather shouldn’t stop you from enjoying nature. You definitely should be ready for any outcome, but potentially bad conditions shouldn’t deter you. Just embrace challenges and find beauty in unexpected places.

Conclusion

Our adventure to Owl’s Head Lookout was a reminder that sometimes, the most unforgettable moments come when you take a chance on the unknown. The unpredictable weather challenged us, but it also rewarded us with something truly magical—a double rainbow we would have missed had we decided to stay indoors.

I hope this story inspires you to go out there and explore, no matter the uncertainties. Nature has a way of surprising those who embrace its challenges and beauty.

So grab your boots, pack for anything, and take that path you’ve been considering. You never know what wonders are waiting for you just beyond the next turn.

After all, the best stories come from unexpected journeys. Get out there and chase your own rainbow 🌈🌈!

Video

For those who prefer the visual story, please check out the video: