Typical Sedona scene as seen from Bear Mountain
Not typical Sedona scene as seen from Bear Mountain
Half-way up, after crossing pass to other side, with canyon below
The city is the tidiest, almost manicured, without being artificial, that we have visited. Add the visuals, mountains and rocks predominantly within city limits, color and dramatic sights abound, visible from almost anywhere. What’s not to like about Sedona. We returned, the second time this year or technically speaking, the third—we interrupted our first visit for 4 days during May. We are at our timeshare which provides wonderful amenities—however, anyone wanting it, is free to have it for next to nothing. You may gather, we are not in awe of the concept of timeshare.
Is it Wilson or Bear Mountain that we find the best hike in Sedona? We’ll have to wait until we do Wilson again as we could not decide. What we did conclude is that all our arguments should be as innocuous as this one. Suffice to say, each time we hike this 2,000 feet climb with a rate of better than 1,000 feet elevation per mile , we know it has been an experience of wonderful hiking with outstanding views. The weather, as has been the case all week, is close to perfect unless you want to swim or tan.
Feeling on top of the world with Sedona's 'blue icons' in the distance
On hike-about we often meet interesting and fascinating people. On our last visit to Sedona we were most fortunate to meet Michael Dean on a Sedona Rock—he had taken a group of yeshiva students for a hike to Cathedral Rock—talk of religious pluralism. Last evening, we dined with Carol and Michael at their beautiful home before going to the theater to watch a podcast of Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. Thank you, Deans.
Bear Peak only comes into view well into hike
At the summit of ‘The Bear’ we met Bob R, a resident of Flagstaff. What a fascinating person. He recounted a few adventures experienced over the years including filming the underground life in Las Vegas. By that we mean the literal underground. Apparently, the city is built above tunnels because of drainage issues—could it be for draining punters of their money. An interesting aspect is that there are many people living in those tunnels, living underground. He told us of people he has met and experiences had below the city while filming, including studying the paintings/graffiti on the walls. One guy has lived there for 7 years and would not wish to return to the surface.
Fascinating stuff. We don’t know that we are ready to ‘go under’, at least not until we get rid of our claustrophobia.
Looking down from the Bear Peak
A final view of the peak
Steamboat hike
There are not many things we can state without fear of contradiction. One is the bonding that arises when two people, even more so, when in love, help and support each other while descending or for that matter, ascending cliff faces and other tricky edges and ledges. It truly supersedes most other feelings. It also helps when the boots bond well with the surface, too—we take all the help offered. We enjoyed a few of those situations as we climbed Steamboat Rock. There is no trail or path—one finds one’s own way up about 1,200 feet. We discovered new parts to the boat today, or more likely, its berth. We went behind the scenes and viewed rocks that we have not seen before.
Bonding, boot with slick rock, an unlikely couple
Editor stepping it up over first hurdle
We did stretch it a little and in one or two places, the adrenaline flowed quite freely although we should admit that we have no idea how it actually flows. However, there are parts of the mind that get a little excited and try to destabilize one, or perhaps more accurately, warn one away from danger. Nevertheless, for a first short outing back in Sedona, we could not ask for more excitement or better visuals and a safe return.
Not the most elegant position but hiker was at a high point on a 12 inches wide ledge. For the turn, took it it on the safe side (extra '2 legs' helps) looking down 1,000 feet
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
From Bear Peak, the San Francisco Mountain range in Flagstaff. 2 days earlier, we stood on Humphreys Peak, the left peak in picture, we humbly state. (It was rather special). The snow only covered the north face.
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