text: > Look around
  Behind the waterfall is a narrow space protected from the splashing by a rock shelf overhead. You've barely enough room to stand, half hunched and awkward. Blocking your view southwest is the waterfall, whose icy needles sting when they strike. To the northwest is a watery tunnel leading into the mountain itself.
  
  At waist-level is a bird's nest on the cliff face among the mosses and ferns, hidden from all eyes but yours. From what you remember, this looks like a dipper's nest.
  
  > go northwest
  Splish splash. Splish splash. Splish splash.
  
  Your eyes slowly adjust to the darkness to reveal a tunnel filled with icy water. The walls are cold and wet, and close in as you move deeper, blocking the little light that bounces in from the opening southeast. A cold breeze blows in your face from the west, but you can see nothing in that direction.
  
  > Go west
  Splish splash. Splish splash. Splish splash.
  
  You move farther into the darkness to a cavern of unknown size. An ancient wind from the depths breathes cold in your face, and your eyes strain uselessly to penetrate the dark.
  
  It is pitch dark in here!
  
  > Light match
  You strike the match and for a flickering instant, the flame catches. But the cold wind from the depths of the cave is strong, and the match goes out, leaving you again in the dark.
  
  > Go west
  No doubt there are crevices and tunnels for exploring, but you're unequipped for spelunking and the hour is getting late.
  
  > go to the east
  Splish splash. Splish splash. Splish splash.
  
  You are in a dark tunnel filled with icy water. The walls are cold and wet, and move apart as you head southeast toward the light. The cold wind from the cavern to your west blows against your back.
  
  > go outside
  Bracing yourself against the sting and the cold, you step out through the falls. The cold water fills the bucket. It also soaks you from head to toe.
  
  Splish splash. Splish splash. Splish splash.
  
  Ferns and mosses of luscious green hang from the walls of this cozy grotto into which a misty waterfall plunges some 60 feet. Spray fills the air to mix with the wall of rising steam from the west, almost hiding the thermal waters of the hot spring. A narrow fissure leads through a crack in the rocks to the southeast.
  
  You can see a shirt, a pair of leather work gloves and some shorts here.
  
  > go west
  You look longingly at the hot spring, but the time feels early and there's still much to do.
  
  The dipper flies to a mossy rock, then disappears behind the waterfall.
  
  > wear the gloves
  (first taking the leather work gloves)
  You put on the leather work gloves.
  
  > Smell
  The faint smell of sulphur hangs in the air.
  
  > Go east
  You can't go that way.
  
  The dipper, so fast you almost don't notice, ducks behind the waterfall and disappears.
  
  > Go southeast
  You gather your clothes as you leave the grotto, and are now wearing some shorts, a shirt and a pair of leather work gloves.
  
  Splish splash. Splish splash. Splish splash.
  
  The way is narrow here, walls of rising stone to either side, and water pours in behind you. You have no choice but to wade, the current swift and powerful. Overhead, a small slice of the sky is visible between the two cliff faces, covered with ferns that thrive in the dark moist environment here. The crevice runs northwest to south.
  
  > look at the ferns
  The walls of this canyon are pinkish granite, the geological layers exposed beneath a few clinging ferns.
  
  The American Dipper emerges from below the surface of the stream and stands, bobbing in place, at its edge.
  
  > get the ferns
  That's hardly portable.
  
  > look at the sky
  Overhead, you can see the bright midday sun, warm and welcome.
  
  > go south
  Rugged and narrow, the ledge you walk follows the rim of the canyon north and south. Below, you see and hear the roaring stream as it makes its way south and turns a corner. As you move south, the willows become more and more dense, the path harder to follow.
  
  You can see a faded wooden sign here, half hidden among the willows.
  
  > Go south
  This beautiful spot is a staging area for many ventures into the mountains, as evidenced by the national forest sign before you. A dense thicket of willow surrounds the landing. A wooded trail heads southeast.
  
  Beside you, a trolley sits suspended from a steel cable.
  
  You can see a national forest trail sign here.
  
  > go southeast
  You start up the Mirror Lake Trail, a fairly easy grade. It's wide and smooth, and winds pleasantly through the conifers.
  
  > Go southeast
  The trail turns a slight bend, and you lose sight of the trailhead behind you. Somewhere in the distance, a squirrel chatters.
  
  > go southeast
  Hiking has always been a favorite pastime of yours, and you pride yourself in your excellent physical condition. The pitch of this section increases slightly, but you hardly even notice. Through a break in the trees, you can see the canyon to the west, and beyond the canyon, parts of a boulder field.
  
  > Go southeast
  Roots. Where did all those roots come from? The going becomes more difficult as you slow to carefully place each step. You begin to wonder if you missed the turn to the hot spring.
  
  > Go southeast
  The grade lessens here, and the trail becomes a bit wider. To the north, you catch a glimpse through the trees of the mountainous landscape. You marvel at the beauty and breathe deeply of the clean crisp air.
  
  > Go southeast
  The sound of water becomes louder now, you suddenly realize. You're not sure when you first heard it. The trail turns a bend, but the general direction is still southeast and up.
  
  > go southeast
  There is no mistaking the roar ahead, a waterfall of some size crashing into rocks. The breeze is cooler, and you move forward, eager to see and feel the spray.
  
  Overhead, you can see the bright midday sun, warm and welcome.
  
  > Go southeast
  Ah, look at the falls. A hundred foot drop, it's amazing. Cool mist surrounds you in waves, and your clothes take on the dampness like a sponge. You think again of the hot spring, and wonder if you will make it back before dark.
  
  > go to the southeast
  A small marker appears ahead to the right of the trail, and you take note. It says:
  
  "Mirror Lake 12 miles"
  
  Yes, you've definitely made a wrong turn somewhere.
  
  > go to the south-east
  The trail steepens again, and you breathe harder as you move forward, each step an effort.
  
  > go to the south-east
  Up and up it goes again. Who graded this route? Must have been someone in a hurry.
  
  > Go southeast
  Switchbacks. Never thought you'd be glad to see switchbacks, but after the last bit of up, they're a nice relief.
  
  > go to the southeast
  The lodgepole pine forest you're passing seems to go forever. The trees are a good 75 feet tall with trunks a foot or so in diameter. Cones and needles litter the ground, and the smell is wonderful.
  
  > Go southeast
  You wonder again about the spring. You think he's still waiting?
  
  > go southeast
  The trees give way and you walk along an outcropping. The footing is slippery, the small stones loose. The view to the south is spectacular.
  
  > go to the south-east
  A patch of snow hugs the base of a clump of trees. Come to think of it, you are feeling a bit cold. You did bring a jacket, didn't you?
  
  > go to the south-east
  There is definitely more snow here, even some in the shaded areas of the trail itself. The wind blows briskly, and the little bit of sweat from the exertion of the climb only serves to give you a constant chill.
  
  > go southeast
  The trail descends into a small valley before continuing its almost unbroken rise. Your legs ache, your head pounds, and you think again of a relaxing bath in a hot spring.
  
  > go to the southeast
  You catch a glimpse ahead through the trees of a small lake. Mirror Lake? That would certainly be nice.
  
  > Go southeast
  The trail descends again, the grade steep and perhaps even more difficult going down than ascending. Your knees ache, your head pounds. The altitude is definitely affecting your heart and breathing rates.
  
  > go southeast
  Just a little farther, you hope. The path turns a corner and you can see it ahead. You hurry onward.
  
  > Go southeast
  You step out of the trees, the water before you crystal clear and perfectly smooth. The mountains surrounding the cirque are snow-capped and majestic, rising from the far shore and reflected on its surface. Clark's Nutcrackers gather in the trees to your left, waiting, watching, hoping for a handout or just plain curious. Lenticular clouds form around the highest peak like smoke rings around the mouth of an entertainer in a Vaudeville act. You sigh, breathe a little easier, and sit to take it all in. Life just doesn't get any better, you think. Until you remember who was waiting at the hot spring.
  
  > go northwest
  Step by step, root by root, you retrace your way back to the trailhead. Mirror Lake would be a fun destination, but you have more important things on your mind today.
  
  This beautiful spot is a staging area for many ventures into the mountains, as evidenced by the national forest sign before you. A dense thicket of willow surrounds the landing. A wooded trail heads southeast.
  
  Beside you, a trolley sits suspended from a steel cable.
  
  You can see a national forest trail sign here.
  
  > enter the trolley
  You climb into the trolley which swings and bounces unnervingly.
  
  You pull on the cable and the car slowly moves away from the tower and over the edge of the gulch. As the ground drops away, your stomach nearly goes with it, the bouncing and swaying of the trolley exaggerating the feeling of height. Hand over hand you pull, and eventually find yourself at the other side.
  
  You get out of the trolley.
  
  You're on a shelf overlooking a small canyon, apparently carved by the nearby stream and 20 or 30 feet deep. A rocky path enters from the west beside a tangle of blackberries, and dead ends at a ledge overlooking the stream below. Above you, granite walls continue to rise, the pink stones a beautiful contrast to the clear blue sky. An animal trail leads up, too steep to walk, but you might be able to make it in a scramble.
  
  Behind you, a trolley sits suspended from a steel cable.
  
  > Go upwards
  You are at the edge of a large field of pink granite boulders. Lichens in various colors pattern the rocks. A narrow gravel road, overgrown with weeds, leads off into the distance to the north. You could also scramble down into the canyon where a fast-moving stream rumbles and flows.
  
  The moose breaks into a trot, head lowered directly at you, and rapidly closes the distance.
  
  > Bugle
  The moose looks at you and sniffs. He's not sure whether to take that as a challenge or as an offer.
  
  The bull moose, sensing your indecision, moves quickly, lifts you with an antler, and tosses you easily onto the sharpest boulder in sight.
  
  > Go west
  You can't go that way.
  
  The bull moose, sensing your indecision, moves quickly, lifts you with an antler, and tosses you easily onto the sharpest boulder in sight.