Apparently there was a major windstorm that ripped through this area of the trails some years ago. This was the tallest remaining "tree" left in the stand, the rest having been ripped out or snapped off pretty much at the roots. The swath of devestation was incredible, but made for easier laying of a hiking trail.

This is the inlet to McGillivary Lake as seen from a path branching off from the top of the stairs.

Going up

This stairway didn't quite go to heaven, but it did take us through a decent hiking trail. I wish my GPS had been working I'd have been able to share the track with you folks and geotagged this photo. Sometimes the most interesting stories are those told without a specific location however.

Herzog gets shot.