Backpacks and Bushwhacks

It was some of the roughest terrain we have ever encountered. Nothing could have prepared us for it. As we hoisted our heavy backpacks over fallen logs, scrambled up boulders, and waded through thorny marshes, I thought back to the beginning of our expedition. It had seemed so easy . . .

After a hectic morning getting seven people out the door, we were on our way to the trailhead, and the swirling grey clouds in the sky around us filled our hearts with sobering premonitions. The infamous thunderstorms of the Wind River mountains in Wyoming are going to hit us on our very first trip. Here we go.

The van bumped its way along the never-ending dirt road to the trailhead. When we finally arrived, the sky still looked foreboding, and rain began to spit. So we donned our ponchos and covered our backpacks. But after we hit the trail, the rain stopped, and a nice mixture of sun and clouds graced our progress as we began our trek—along a lake, into a canyon surrounded by jagged cliffs, and to the end of the trail.

Beautiful views as we start out.

Into the canyon

It was wonderful! Our bags were lighter than our last backpacking trip, we felt much better, and we were making excellent time. This is not going to be as difficult as we thought.

Then, the bushwhacking began. Bushwhacking is the term for trekking off-trail through brush or forest. We knew that we would need to bushwhack in order to make it to our goal—an alpine lake—and we have had a lot of experience with doing this sort of thing. However, this terrain was new to us, and the stroll soon became a slog.

The terrain can open up for a little while along a creek.

“Up we go!”

For the hundredth time, I pulled my leg on top of a fallen dead spruce tree, then plummeted back down as my 40-lb. pack pushed me to the ground. Would this never end? No—it would only get worse. The farther we pressed up the creek drainage, the denser the woods became. Massive boulders blocked our way, forcing us to climb up and around them. So much for our good time.

Big pack for a big adventure!

Then, the thunderstorm struck. Few things in life are as uncomfortable as crouching under spruce trees as wind, rain, and thunder roll above you. And unlike most thunderstorms in the American West, this one didn’t pass quickly. It just sat there, for what seemed like hours.

When it finished, we picked ourselves up and began trudging through wet brush over wet boulders in wet pants. That is, until the second thunderstorm struck. Then it was time for another break which we didn’t really want.

The final obstacle was a rushing creek surrounded by marshlands covered in thorny bushes. If this sounds unreal, it certainly felt like it. Nothing for it, though! We took off our shoes, waded the creek through ice-cold, knee-deep water, and began the barefoot slog through puddles, brambles, and the never-ending fallen logs—all the while with our heavy backpacks weighing down on our shoulders.

Camp was beautiful—and worth the trouble! A deep, emerald-green lake surrounded by granite cliffs and spires greeted our eyes as we finally climbed above a log jam to behold this wonderful spectacle of God’s Creation. The weather was beautiful as we set up camp.

View from our campsite

Cumulus clouds piling up mean an approaching storm.

We had to climb up piles of large boulders to make it up here.

What do you think happened when we crouched below our rain tarp for a much-needed hot dinner in the dark? Another thunderstorm struck. If there is anything more uncomfortable than crouching under spruce trees in a storm, it is huddling under a flapping rain tarp while rain drives into your back as you try to cook your dinner without burning any of your stuff.

Hopefully you are getting the picture by now. Our second-ever backpacking trip was not as simple as we had thought it would be. It started out simple. But unforeseen circumstances turned our experience into one of our most difficult expeditions ever.

As I was hoisting myself over logs, the thought occurred to me that we often have the same attitude when we begin our lives as Christians. Jesus is new and wonderful to us, and we forget that we have an enemy, the Devil, who wants to destroy us (I Peter 5:8). So we are surprised when trials come upon us and we find our faith wavering.

Sometimes it is a huge storm that dashes your hopes and crushes your spirits. Maybe you are carrying around a massive load of guilt, sadness, or stress that makes each step feel like a chore. Obstacles often block your way, and you may feel hemmed in on every side by circumstances you cannot control.

Sometimes there is no glaring trial at all. The Christian life just seems slow, lifeless, no longer interesting. God seems silent. Bible-reading becomes a mundane routine that doesn’t really help you. You make the same mistakes over and over again.

In those times, there is really nothing for it but to keep moving forward in faith—to carefully watch only one step at a time as you train your mind to remember that there is an end in sight. An end of hope and everlasting joy. An end of unimaginable beauty. A hope that you cannot see yet but that your faithful God, Who redeemed you from sin by the blood of His Son, will grant to those who persevere until the last day (John 6:40; Revelation 3:21).

While we were toiling up the route, there were a few spots where someone had placed cairns—small piles of rocks—to mark the best way to the lake. Though few and rarely helpful, they reminded me that someone had gone ahead. Someone had done this before, so we could, too.

In the same way, someone has gone ahead of you. The persecuted prophets of the Old Testament have tried the way and found it trustworthy (Hebrews 12:1). Jesus has walked the path and marked the way (Hebrews 6:20). The disciples have sealed the worthiness of the Cross with their own blood (Revelation 20:4). If they have done it—if they found it worthwhile to follow Jesus—surely you can, too.

Christian, the way will be hard, but the goal will be worth it. Think on God’s promises—let them guide you instead of your feelings and doubts—and press toward the mark (Philippians 3:14). Keep seeking God in His Word. Keep praying. Keep fighting. And watch your step!

“Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall”( 1 Corinthians 10:12).

Trekking out!

Scripture quotations are from the ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Used by permission.  All rights reserved.

© 2025 by Anchor & Fish Ministries. All rights reserved.

Photos by Jenny, Joe, Daniel, and Caleb Venturo