After the second Wilson hike, we decided on a filler and tried something new, the highly regarded West Fork, a little north of Sedona. We crossed the creek twenty-six times in just over 6 miles—the trail builders sure have a sense of humor—we should have brought our ‘cozzies’. When it comes to swim wear, Americans are very formal—hence, bathing suits. The trail meanders through semi-forest with huge slabs towering above. With the sunlight reflecting off these monstrous rocks, the viewer receives a treat while feeling insignificant in size. Sedona is often under-rated for the large and high mountains it has; it is not only about red rocks.
Now for a real tester, the religious experience. A few years ago, we parked at an hotel outside Sedona and headed towards the peak of AB Young, a hike that is 5 miles return with an elevation gain of 2,300 feet, that is, after going above the normal trail end. This makes the rate of ascent at close to 1,000 feet per mile. We never made it on our first attempt. Not because our editor is lazy, although she was still an editor-in-training at the time, but rather because she had an altercation with a snake. We tried to explain to her that she should pick fights with animals and reptiles her own size, or at least, make sure she wins. It was a tough period but she came through it in fine form. When she mentioned we try the hike again, we were excited because we had decided not to suggest it. We are not completely insensitive although often challenged on that point (many others, too).
This time, instead of parking at the hotel, we found a spot in a campground, the correct place; using the hotel’s property is a bit of chutzpah. The instructions were interesting: ‘Go south-west.' For us, this is a challenge. It hardly seems appropriate to be carrying a compass in Sedona, just near the town. ‘Down the steps and make your way to the river. Find a place to stone-step across it. Fallen tree trunks are useful, too. Look for a ravine when across the water, climb above it while searching for overhead wires, bearing right as you go. Count two poles and you should find the trail marker.’ Wonderful! Now we were ready to begin the hike. We don’t know what they call the initial part—fore-hike? We prefer to do it another way, though. Rather than all the instructions, we suggest if you are Catholic, say a few ‘Hail Mary’s’, if Jewish, undertake to give up a vice or two and ask Hashem for help; agnostic, ask either of the aforementioned to pray for you and for the atheists, time to let your beliefs lapse and convert. If desperate, wait a few hours in the event that someone else comes along and can help.
Interestingly, the first couple we saw today was when we commenced our way down the mountain. We then met a second at the beginning of the hike (our completion); they had crossed the river and were beginning to pray—they knew the right thing to do. The reason we mention these couples, one from Illinois and the other Mesa, Arizona, is because we stopped to speak with both couples at the previous day’s hike in West Fork. Only four people on the mountain for a tough hike and we had met them the previous day.
Fortunately, Jenni was not in the least bit aggressive today and so we let the snakes and other animals alone. We did argue occasionally with the cactus plants that hug the rather narrow path. All in all, it is a great hike or as one of the guidebooks mentioned, a stair-master for an extended period. The views were superb, too. The additional hike on the rim, where we happened to find some rocks, did not go wasted. We loved the whole experience which concludes our visit to Sedona, a truly wonderful place. Before closing, we had the pleasure of visiting Elsa and Peter Gassner, East Coasters who now reside in the city. Peter, a professional photographer since retiring, made a poignant comment about the picture view from their sitting room. 'I live in the painting.'
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
No comments:
Post a Comment