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| NOT A HIKER NOT A HIKER |
I need to preface this by saying I'm NOT A HIKER. Although I'm not terribly out of shape; I go to the gym. I do yoga, I swim laps. But as I learned today, I'm probably not a desert flower that's up to hiking in 90 degree heat. (But who would be in those conditions?)
It started when I hopped on a plane to Phoenix for the weekend to escape the snow and we decided it was time to conquer the outdoors. My partner did some research and heard about the
Devil's Bridge hike at the Coconino National Forest. It sounded like a good way to get outdoors and get some exercise!
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| "Almost to the top, let's take a picture while I'm still cheerful" |
The U.S. Forest Service gives the trail length at something like 1.8 miles round trip, but it's really a little over six miles round trip from the trail parking to the bridge and back. The last section is a nearly vertical climb. Even if it's beneath your sartorial taste to wear hiking boots, at least wear sturdy tennis shoes because you will need them on the last climb.
We woke up early and started for Sedona so we could get outside while it was cool but the sun came back with a vengeance! We were rewarded with some amazing views of Sedona's red rocks and cacti.
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| Me, so cheerful thinking we were close to the end of the trail. So, so wrong. |
My man friend wears a fitbit and I recently bought myself an Apple Watch as a late Christmas present so we were both checking the mileage on our way up. The Forest Service markers and website said the trail was about 1.8 miles round trip we kept thinking we were hitting the bridge but not seeing anything resembling the bridge.
Eventually we talked to some fellow hikers and realized, devastatingly, that we were nowhere near the top- maybe a third of the way there. The moral of the story is to research the
true trail length because it was actually about
three times longer. Had we known the true distance, we would have planned a little better (me-mentally, both of us- water wise).
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| The elusive Devil's Bridge. Worth the hike! |
Despite me nearly having a mental breakdown on the way there, it was a great experience to push myself and spend some time with my partner. We took plenty on rest on the bridge; and the prospect of a big dinner kept me going on the way back. Completing the hike and having the satisfaction of walking out on the bridge is its own kind of reward beyond just a photo. (And the pizza we definitely rewarded ourselves with after that ordeal. The hike back was rough with two tired crabby divas.)
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| Although for the record, we did take a picture on the bridge. |
Challenging yourself mentally (obviously physically) and taking the time to appreciate your surroundings is a perfect storm of vigorous meditation. If I made this a habit, I could definitely learn to appreciate hiking. As long as I don't have to wear any hiking boots.
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