Six hours up Lone Goat Mountain, and the summit felt nothing like the Instagram posts. No profound moment of clarity. No life-changing epiphany. Just me, wind that cut through three layers, and the slow realization that mountains don't actually care if you're having a breakthrough. The view was stunning—endless ridges rolling toward the Cascades, alpine lakes like scattered coins. But standing there, I felt smaller than I'd expected. Not humbled in that poetic way travel bloggers write about. Just... small. The descent took four hours. My knees screamed. I ate a gas station sandwich in my car afterward and it was the best part of the day. Sometimes the mountain gives you exactly what you need: nothing but yourself to sit with. 🏔️ #Travel #SoloHikingTruth #MountainReality