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| Red Giants Sedona, AZ December 2011 Photo: Scott Clark |
Showing posts with label Hiking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hiking. Show all posts
Roving Pic: Red Rocked
Roving I Recap: Cathedral Rock Cairns
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| Cathedral Rock Cairn Sedona, Arizona December 2009 |
In December of 2009, I had never heard the word "cairn." The landmark markers were known to me only by their photos, not by their name or purpose. As we began our hiking day on the flat and easy Cathedral Rock trail, we were already completely captivated with Sedona. Beauty was everywhere - from the massive Red Rock sculptures to the laid-back Southwest spirit. So I shouldn't have been surprised to discover unbelievable beauty in an elegantly stacked pile of rocks.
We came across one early on the path. It was simple, at most five stones. But the creator had taken the time to add a certain level of visual interest to it by placing a smaller stone underneath a large one. Despite its gravity-defying design, it stood proud in the pre-snow air.
When the trail opened up to a dry creek bed basin, we quickly realized that the first stack was only a preview of the feature presentation. Hundreds of cairns filled the basin. Stones were carefully stacked everywhere - on the ground, in trees, on fallen branches and on other stacks of stones.
The invitation sent, we quickly accepted, grabbing available stones to leave our own marks on the already over-landmarked landscape. It was great fun stacking and unstacking stones to build soaring, but precarious structures, others that were small and stocky and "mixed media" creations that combined smooth stones with natural elements including leaves, shells and twigs. When it was time to make our way to our second hike, I was sad to leave my new contemplative playground.
I later learned that cairns are left on hiking trails to help passers-by find their way. On that December morning, we found ours, in the shadow of a Sedona legend.
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| Cathedral Rock Sedona, Arizona December 2009 |
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| Cairn Central Sedona, Arizona December 2009 |
Roving Pic: Sedona in the Snow
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| Sedona, Devil's Bridge December 2009 Photo: Scott Clark |
Roving I Recap: Snowdona
When planning a winter trip, snow, ice and cold are extremely low on my wish list. I aim to go somewhere with an average temperature at least twenty degrees warmer than our hometown of St. Louis, MO. Sedona, Arizona seemed like a safe bet. It's in the middle of the desert, offers endless places to hike, dine and explore and it has an average snowfall of a mere nine inches per year. Sold.
When we arrived in Sedona two days after Christmas in 2009, in a holiday haze, it was dark - desert dark. As we approached town, we could make out silhouettes of sleeping giants when the headlights hit them on turns. It's was an incredibly tantalizing sight and we wanted more.
The next morning, we were not disappointed. Coming from the flat, green, corn and soybean-covered Midwest, the Sedona landscape was foreign and fantastic. The sleeping giants from the night before awoke as burnt orange, cream and brown rock formations. They provided a buffet of spectacular views in every direction. We were in absolute awe, enjoying every last morsel of the surroundings until we got wind of the approaching cold front.
Knowing snow in Sedona is a rare event, we set out to hike expecting a chilly but dry day. However, our expectations failed to line up with the weatherman's. As we pulled into the parking lot for our second hike, Doe Mountain, the sky was filling with flurries.
The flurries quickly turned to fluffy flakes and proceeded to playfully smack us in the face as we made our way up the trail to the top of the mesa. About halfway up I was struck by the realization that this was actually a perfect day for hiking in Sedona. The trail was deserted, aside from a few hikers on their way down. The landscape was covered in snow, a truly unique state for this dry terrain. And the sky, peaks and plateaus provided endless opportunities for our breath to be taken away. And it was with every step.
The snow in Sedona gave us more than just incredible photo opps. It gave us time alone with Sedona, time to see its hidden, softer side, and time to fall in love with the place. I know we'll be going back, probably in a more temperate time of year, but I'll be hoping for that impossible dusting of snow to bring back a little of the wonder from our first snowy visit.
When we arrived in Sedona two days after Christmas in 2009, in a holiday haze, it was dark - desert dark. As we approached town, we could make out silhouettes of sleeping giants when the headlights hit them on turns. It's was an incredibly tantalizing sight and we wanted more.
The next morning, we were not disappointed. Coming from the flat, green, corn and soybean-covered Midwest, the Sedona landscape was foreign and fantastic. The sleeping giants from the night before awoke as burnt orange, cream and brown rock formations. They provided a buffet of spectacular views in every direction. We were in absolute awe, enjoying every last morsel of the surroundings until we got wind of the approaching cold front.
Knowing snow in Sedona is a rare event, we set out to hike expecting a chilly but dry day. However, our expectations failed to line up with the weatherman's. As we pulled into the parking lot for our second hike, Doe Mountain, the sky was filling with flurries.
The flurries quickly turned to fluffy flakes and proceeded to playfully smack us in the face as we made our way up the trail to the top of the mesa. About halfway up I was struck by the realization that this was actually a perfect day for hiking in Sedona. The trail was deserted, aside from a few hikers on their way down. The landscape was covered in snow, a truly unique state for this dry terrain. And the sky, peaks and plateaus provided endless opportunities for our breath to be taken away. And it was with every step.
The snow in Sedona gave us more than just incredible photo opps. It gave us time alone with Sedona, time to see its hidden, softer side, and time to fall in love with the place. I know we'll be going back, probably in a more temperate time of year, but I'll be hoping for that impossible dusting of snow to bring back a little of the wonder from our first snowy visit.
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| Scott in Snowy Sedona December 2009 |
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| Scott standing on Devil's Bridge Sedona, AZ December 2009 |
Roving IQ: Keen to Hike
From climbing virtually vertical trails in Red Rock Country to early morning wanderings around a sleeping volcano, while half asleep, hiking has been on the itinerary on five of my last six trips. When we reach our destination, we hike as much as my patience allows, and sometimes more. And while I enjoy the fresh air and change of scenery, the act of hiking can be a daunting task for a known concrete diver. Having the right footwear is an absolute must.
When I discovered the Keen Voyageur hiking shoes, I knew I was saved. With the breathable and lightweight design, cushioned foot bed, wide toe box and aggressive tread, I can remain comfortable while remaining upright. If only I could wear these to dinner instead of heels, my knees might actually stand a chance.
When I discovered the Keen Voyageur hiking shoes, I knew I was saved. With the breathable and lightweight design, cushioned foot bed, wide toe box and aggressive tread, I can remain comfortable while remaining upright. If only I could wear these to dinner instead of heels, my knees might actually stand a chance.
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| Photo: REI |
The Keen Voyageur is available for Men and Women at rei.com and keenfootwear.com. Average price: $100.
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