I have always been enamored by the simple beauty of empty roads. Of course traveling north on I-17 from Phoenix towards Flagstaff on Labor Day weekend, it was pretty much impossible to find an empty patch of highway. After the curves and turns at 70 miles per hour on steep mountain grades that terrify me (when I don't have the wheel in hand), I was more than relieved to get off the highway and head west toward Sedona. I could feel the stress slowly releasing as I took in the majesty of the red rocks, and mentally, I was rubbing my hands in anticipation of the beauty that awaited me on our 6 mile hike on the West Fork trail of Oak Creek, a chance for a little glimpse of heaven. The West Fork Trail of Oak Creek is hands down my favorite hiking trail in Arizona, perhaps in the whole country. The beauty of the area inspired novelist Zane Grey to write "The Call of the Canyon." The pace of the hike was perfect for us "joy is in the journey" types. It is more of an amble, or perhaps a walk. I always feel like I'm living life to it's fullest when I spend time with family and friends, building relationships in the great outdoors, breathing the pristine mountain air, and enjoying and marveling in God's beautiful creation. I relish the chance to step back and regenerate and savor every moment of our hikes.
The trail began with an easy stroll down a paved sidewalk enclosed on both sides with brilliant yellow flowers teeming with bumblebees, over a footbridge that crossed a sapphire pool and across a scraggly grove with a few tough crusty old apple trees. The kids and adults alike played a while amongst the ruins of an old hunting and fishing lodge. The trail abruptly changed to sand as we passed through a nurturing fern meadow unaware of the spectacular views that were about to hit us in the face.
We followed the twisting, turning sandy trail as it took us deeper into the canyon .We rock- hopped across Oak Creek at numerous places on the mossy green rounded stones that glowed gold under the white dolomite and red sandstone walls that rose us and loomed all around and embraced us. Some people hiked through the creek most of the time, across the boulder strewn streambed, sometimes ankle deep, at other times knee deep. At one point, the narrow enchanting gorge required all of us to wade down the creek. This is when the child inside everyone was released. There came a point when you just can't get any wetter. It was a cool refreshing atmosphere surrounded by the lush vegetation; the lichen draped evergreens, towering ponderosa pines, fir, box, elder, oak, willows, maples and cottonwood trees. The dense trees provided a welcome relief from the harsh desert sun that we all have been experiencing throughout the AZ summer. The plethora of boulders, unique rock sculptures, patterns of the canyon walls, the unique cantilevered overhangs were stunning. Some of the kids explored hollows in the cliffs. There remnants of spring columbine, lupine, sumac and wild grapes all along the trail. Butterflies flitted and hummingbirds rocketed around us. Birdsong spilled from high places. One hawk even held a two way conversation with some of the hikers. We trained ourselves to look for the rock cairns perched precariously on boulders and marked the trail. The aroma of wood rot, vanilla, and pine drifted through the canyon.
It wasn't long before the monsoon rain deluged us. The rolling, rumbling thunder in the canyon juxtaposed with the gentle musical sounds of the water flowing through the forest glades and spilling over the smooth red rock was a treat for the senses. The water made wonderful geometric designs in the water. The fog creeped up on us, gently penetrating the pine trees on the cliffs. Before long, the rain became a gentle, but incessant companion, the creek flowed a little harder, and the plants responded with a lavish explosion of color as we neared the end of our hike. After a welcome change into dry clothes, and a fabulous Mexican dinner we were treated to a blazing sunset as we drove out of Sedona through the dense fog that enveloped and shrouded the red rocks and made us feel like we were driving in the clouds.
That's what happens when the journey is the destination, a little glimpse of heaven.
