Can you imagine the thrill of viewing such grandeur for the first time?! Such are the rewards sometimes granted those hiking in the Olympic backcountry. It was my first trip to the High Divide, a spectacular ridge top between the Sol Duc and Hoh Valleys. I cannot describe the wonder I felt that morning as I topped the ridge and saw this scene laid out before me. While I was setting up the equipment, a black bear climbed up out of the draw below and waded out into the middle of the small pond and sat down. Both the bear and I earned our rewards that morning!