It’s the middle of a hot Utah summer, but a few grandkids talked us into hiking the Y. For those of you who have done it, you know that it is no pleasure walk. For those of you who haven’t done it — you probably should, but it’s OK to think twice before you do.
The last time I made the climb was six years ago. I vowed then to never do it again — but granddaughters have special powers.
So, up the hill we went around eight in the morning when the air was still cool, and the face of the mountain was shaded from the sun. The hike isn’t long, but the elevation changes quickly and it can hit hard when it does.
Feeling like we were making some good progress on those 13 switchbacks, I offered up a grandpa-like pep talk.
“A couple more turns! We are getting close!”
My wishful prodding was overheard by a woman coming down the trail. She looked at me and shook her head, “No.”
I chose to ignore her, but deep inside my soul — I’m pretty sure I started to cry.
She was right. As it turned out, we were more than a few turns from the top and the hardest part was still ahead. I’ll be honest, her honesty was defeating. Honestly. Nor did it help having to step out of the way of the younger athletes who chose to run up and down the route.
In time and with grit and willpower, we made it to the top.
The view up there is just like BYU’s 1984 football team — still undefeated.
Resting on the bench that lines the top of the Y — with a personal “thank you” for whoever put them up there — you can almost see forever. Such a view changes perspective.
For one, Utah Lake is so much bigger than I give it credit for. Second, Utah Valley truly is an amazing place to live, and third, even as it sits empty, you can’t look at LaVell Edwards Stadium without seeing the amazing things that have taken place there.
The treasure trove of memories includes Jim McMahon beating UTEP 83-7; a left-handed quarterback running like a running back; a perfect season; upsetting No. 1 Miami; Austin Collie wide open on 4th and 18; Taysom Hill’s Texas two-step; Tyler Allgeier’s “punch-out”; and last season — when there was “A bear on the loose in Provo” as Bear Bachmeier bulldozed through the Utes.
The ground-shaking noise generated in those moments is a far cry from the calm quiet that resides at the top of the Y — unless there is an F-35 flyover before kickoff. On those loud days, both places can feel some thunder.
Just like a punt, what goes up must come down and after our respite at the top, it was time to gather the girls and head back down the mountain. Along the descent, and aware of the challenges, we encouraged those who were climbing up — hikers young and old.
“You’re almost there!” we said.
“Just a few more turns!”
“It’s so worth it!”
“You can do it!”
“If we can do it — you can do it!”
I watched as the unsolicited pep talk from our gang produced a smile and boosted morale for each person we passed. I couldn’t help but think — life is like hiking the Y.
Initially, it doesn’t look that hard. We start with energy and enthusiasm and then, as the terrain and altitude change, many of us tire and wear out and even consider giving up and turning around.
These are the moments when help is needed from others along the trail. It is when an encouraging word can become as refreshing as a cold drink of water, or as saving as a paramedic.
- “You are almost there” might not mean anything to you but said to someone who is nearing the end of their cancer treatments — it means everything.
- “Just a few more turns” can bring great comfort to a student who has run out of gas but still has a few more credits to take to earn their degree.
- “You can do it” are important words to hear as we accept a new assignment — or marry a guy who works in sports full time.
- “It’s so worth it” might be what an exhausted parent needs to hear as they wrestle on the church bench with a brood of active children.
- “If we can do it, you can do it” are nine powerful words spoken by those who have hiked the trail before. They can talk the talk because they have walked the walk.
Our downhill discussion with the grandkids turned to the pioneers and how they trekked across the plains, cut their own trails, crossed rivers and maneuvered through mountains in covered wagons and pulled handcarts while burying loved ones along the way. Their journey almost defies description — but they did it.
Our challenging 2.4 mile hike to the Y and back was on a prepared path. At the end of it, we climbed into an air-conditioned car, drove straight to Wendy’s and ordered ice-cold lemonades. Then I went home and took some Ibuprofen and a nap — hardly a pioneer moment, but a memory maker that was made possible by those early pioneers.
There are a lot of things that can help tweak our perspective as Utah approaches another Pioneer Day. Hiking the Y is one of them.
Sitting at the top, with gratitude and a little imagination, you can almost hear those valiant voices from the past — “You’re almost there! Just a few more turns! You can do it! It’s so worth it! If we can do it, you can do it!”
I think I also heard one of them say, “Go Cougs!”
Dave McCann is a sportswriter and columnist for the Deseret News and is a play-by-play announcer and show host for BYUtv/ESPN+. He co-hosts “Y’s Guys” at ysguys.com and is the author of the children’s book “C is for Cougar,” available at deseretbook.com