Tag: #arizona
Sedona

Sedona

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Sedona

Sedona, AZ, is one of the adventure hotspots in the wild wild west. The town itself is nice and cute with a number of art galleries and fine dining options around; however, the area surrounding the town is a haven for hiking and mountain biking which draws a multitude of adventurers here. Sedona lies in the middle of red rock country with an abundance of hiking and biking trails that take you to some amazing vistas and magnificent rock formations! This abundance of trails can be overwhelming, so do your research and decide where you want to go and what you want to see, then get yourself a good map (click to request map) and plan your route carefully to get the most out of your time in the area. My advice to you is to combine multiple trails together to form a hiking loop which will allow you to explore multiple places at once…So lets start:)

As I had only one day in the area, I designed 3 hiking routes, by combining trails together, to visit some amazing and iconic places and rock formations and they were all, to a great extent, easy hikes and all having their trailheads along State Route 179.

The 1st hiking route was designed to visit Cathedral Rock, one of the iconic monuments of the wild west. In order to witness this amazing feature, I combined both the Easy Breezy trail and the Cathedral Rock trail. This route isn’t a loop, instead, it is an in-and-back one. As I mentioned, all THs lie of 179, and from the moment you start driving along this route, you’ll realize the beauty of this red rock country and can’t wait to get out of the car and start exploring. Starting on the Easy Breezy trail, as the name suggests, it is an easy trail and will allow you to explore vast areas of this red rock country. However, you’ll only hike 0.3 miles on this trail and then switch to the Cathedral Rock trail, which is another 0.3 miles trail. Throughout your hike, you’ll be enjoying magnificent panoramic views around you, so don’t go too fast and take your time to admire this beauty.

Before you know it, you’ll arrive at the viewpoint of the Cathedral Rock and it’s a view to behold for this wild west icon.

  

The 2nd hiking route was aimed at visiting Courthouse Vista, but to make it more interesting, I designed an extended route and visited Bell Rock along the way. This is a bit of a long route, a total of 5.7 miles, but it is also easy hiking. For this route, you start at the Bell Rock Pathway TH near Oak Creek village and start by taking the Bell Rock Pathway (west) for 1.2mi until you reach the junction with the Bell Rock Loop. At this point, you can make a detour and visit Bell Rock via a 0.2-mile loop, then continue 0.7 miles till you reach Courthouse Vista.  

All along these trails you’ll be blessed with beautiful country around you, so why not extend this route and enjoy the area more? And that’s what I did:) After admiring Courthouse Vista, take Llama trail for 1.4 miles, then combine it with Bail trail for 0.4 miles. After that, you’ll take Bell Rock Pathway for 0.5 miles till you reach the section you hiked at the start of this route and hike back to your car for 1.2 miles.

Lastly, the 3rd hiking route will take you to the most breathtaking rock formation around Sedona…THE DEVIL’S BRIDGE!!

Similar to the 1st route, this is an in-and-out route with a total length of 4.8 miles. You start by taking the Mescal trail for 1.4 miles, which is a bit tough, but the amazing views around you will make up for it! 

    

The last part of this route will be along the Devil’s Bridge trail for 1.2 miles to the unbelievable naturally-carved rock formation of the Devil’s Bridge!! How nature perfectly carved this bridge is astonishing and will leave you to admire it yourself…SO ENJOY:)
Glen Canyon NRA

Glen Canyon NRA

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Glen Canyon NRA

When you are in the area around Kanab, UT or Page, AZ, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA) might be overlooked for some of the other more famous wild west landmarks in the area; however, for me, this NRA is a must-see, not only if in the area, but in your life!! Although its not much of an adventure to visit the stunning places in Glen Canyon NRA, as it is mostly done via a road trip and short hikes, the bizarre landscape that you can see here is unmatched elsewhere in the wild west.

There are a lot of places to wander around in this area; like Hanging Gardens, Horseshoe Bend, Lone Rock, Buckskin Gulch, and the Toadstools…among others. However, since I was lucky and got the permit for The Wave🙂 I only had half a day to spare in the area so I had time to visit only three of those amazing landscape features; which are: The Toadstools, Lone Rock, and the jewel in the crown:) The Horseshoe Bend, which are all located along US 89 (click to request map).  

I started with The Toadstools, as it is the furthest from Page, AZ, and the one that involves the longest hike. The Toadstools is located at MP19 on N89. The length of the hike actually depends on your schedule and how much you want to see in the area, but at least it’ll involve 2 miles each way. The start of the hike feels that you are entering through a door to the wilderness! It involves walking along a narrow canyon until it opens up.

When the trail opens up, you’ll continue your hike along a small creek that breaks the arid desert landscape around it.

Then as you venture deep into the wilderness, there will be locations where you’ll have to cross this creek multiple times to reach your destination, which is pretty fun:).

     

After hiking for 2 miles, you’ll start to see the bizarre Toadstools themselves which are rock formations that resemble the shape of a chimney! There are a lot of these shapes in the area, so you can venture as deep as you want till you get your fix of them and head back the same way.

The next stop in this NRA is Lone Rock which is located at MP3 on N84. As the name suggests, this is basically a lonely rock in the middle of the reservoir, which looks very intriguing:) You park near the road and hike for half a mile or so till you get to the river banks, but you’ll start getting a glimpse of this lonely rock along the trail and, believe me, you’ll spend some time admiring this view.

Saving the best for last is the Horseshoe Bend!! This is an amazing, one-of-a-kind, earthly feat and is one of the famous wild west landscapes. It is something that you’ll have to see with your own eyes to believe that it exists. Again, the hike from the parking lot is almost 1 mile or so, but you’ll be running along the trail from the anticipation of what awaits you:) & it is this view that awaits you:)

How did mother nature create this amazing natural feature…I really don’t know…It is the perfect bend that you’ll find anywhere. You can try to understand what created this bend as nothing can stop the mighty Colorado River from following its course, or, be more pragmatic, and interpret it as earth standing tall and strong in face of the river! Either way, it is out of this world sight, so ENJOY, ADMIRE & RELAX and take a lot of pics:) 
The Wave

The Wave

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The Wave

Have you ever wondered if the pictures you see as screensavers on your PC, tablet, or phone are real or not? Well…They Are!! And it is a privilege to be able to visit one of these places during your lifetime as, in these places, you’ll truly appreciate the beauty of our planet. I was lucky enough to have this privilege and this blog will be about one of these natural gems…THE WAVE!!

The wave is the unofficial name of this majestic rock formation that is located in the middle of nowhere on the borders between the states of Utah and Arizona, yet the official name of the area where it is located in Coyote Butte North!

This is a wilderness area that is well protected; hence, you won’t find the exact location of The Wave on any map as there are no trails that lead you there, only natural landmarks that you’ve to use to navigate your way till you reach it!! Not only that, but in an effort to preserve this unique landscape from mass tourism, there is a strict permit system in place that only allows a handful of adventurers to visit this stunning rock formation per day; and only if you are lucky to get a permit, these landmarks will be revealed to you by the rangers! So, in an effort to help in preserving this natural beauty, I’ll not reveal, in this blog, how you can reach The Wave, I’ll only explain to you the permit process in an effort to help you plan this adventure of a lifetime; and, of course, I’ll show some pictures that are out of this world:)

There are two ways through which you can get a permit to visit The Wave, and both are based on a lottery format. The first is to apply online on the wilderness area website to get a permit up to four or five months in advance (click to request info) and you’ll enter a draw, and if you win, you’ll be notified. Unfortunately, this permit is in very high demand and your chances of winning are not that high; so, try to be flexible with your dates and apply for a number of dates, and hopefully one of them will win. The second way is to apply in person at the visitor center in Kanab one day prior to your planned date of the adventure as there are few spots reserved for last-minute adventurers…Like me:) When you apply in person, the lottery will be conducted at the visitor center at the same time of the application and you’ll spend 15 nervy minutes hoping that your number comes up:) If you are extremely lucky, then you’ll win a permit for the next day. Of course, the first way is more convenient as you’ll be able to plan your trip in advance; however, as it is easy to apply online, you can expect a large number of applications and a limited chance of winning. On the other hand, although the second way of applying for a permit isn’t the perfect way, in terms of planning, not many people drive all the way to Kanab, UT, without a permit, so you can expect far less competition for the permits; albeit, it is still hard to get.

I personally had to go for the second option as I planned late for that trip but to increase my chances, I chose a date that I expected very few people to be there at the visitor center and apply for the permit, I chose Thanksgiving Day! And guess what…I Was Lucky and won the permit:) I can’t deny it, but winning this lottery almost feels like winning the real one, with money:)

After getting your permit, the ranger will give you a small map and explain to you the landmarks that you’ll follow to reach The Wave, as well as, a permit to carry with you while hiking as rangers are there to check it on your way to this majestic place. Also, remember that your permit is for the next day, so you have a free day in the area, so click here for things to do on that day.

On the next day, your lucky day:), you’ll drive all the way to Wirepass trailhead, park your car and start your adventure from there. My advice to you during this unusual hike is to keep aware of your bearings and be very alert to your surroundings as your map will show you the way to the wave and not back, and believe me, the scenery changes when you head back and you’ll need to be alert to the route you traversed and always check the other direction.

When you set your first sight on the wave, you won’t believe yourself, it is Out-Of-This-World, and the adrenaline will be pumping in your veins and you’ll feel like a kid in a playground:).

     

What is more amazing about this majestic place is that it reveals a different aspect of its beauty whenever you look at it from a different direction and each view is special! So, take your time, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity…SO ENJOY:)

Grand Canyon NP (All the way to the bottom)

Grand Canyon NP (All the way to the bottom)

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All the Way to the Bottom

It is a place that needs no introduction! It is a world-famous natural wonder that truly earns all the rave reviews about its majestic and grandeur landscape. It is the Grand Canyon!! This stunning place is perhaps the most recognized landmark of the Wild Wild West. Even if you are not an adventurous person, you have to visit this out-of-the-world place at least once in your lifetime, and it will take your breath away.

I first visited the Grand Canyon NP, in my younger days, in 2008. At the time, I wasn’t the experienced hiker/adventure that I’m today and it didn’t even cross my mind that I can hike down the canyon, all the way to the mighty Colorado river. During that trip, I did a self-driving day trip to witness this stunning place with my own eyes, and it didn’t disappoint. In that trip, I planned a road trip along the south rim’s all viewpoints and had the time of my life, without really doing any adventurous stuff; so that is why I urge you to go visit this place even if you don’t fancy hiking down the canyon.

Fast forward 7 years, and in 2015 after a lot of hiking adventures around the World, I decided that I’m ready to tackle this seemingly impossible feat and hike all the way to the bottom of the canyon and, of course, hike back up:).

When attempting such a difficult hike, preparation, both physically and logistically, is the key to its success, as any mistake might lead to serious injury or even death. So, before getting into the hikes themselves (up & down), I’ll first go through the major planning items that you need to consider before you decide to go down and you can do all On Your Own!

The first thing you need to plan is when to do this hike? There are two options here: summer, which is more popular, and winter. Although the summer heat is the number one killer when hiking up from the river, there are some advantages that come with hiking in the summer. First, there are water sources along the major trails, up and down the canyon, which means that you don’t need to carry all your water from the beginning and can be a lifesaver. Second, the weather at night is warm so no need to carry a heavy sleeping bag or even a tent as you can sleep under the stars. Yet, you have to be aware of the heat, its no joke, and time your hike up perfectly to avoid the hottest hours of the day. On the other hand, in the winter, obviously, heat becomes less of a problem and the hike becomes a bit easier. Also, as it is less popular, it’ll be easier to get the permit to spend the night down. However, there won’t be any water sources along the trails as the supply is shut down, so you have to carry all your water for 2 days with you from the beginning! Also, you’ll need a tent and a heavy sleeping bag as it gets cold at night and this adds to the weight that you are carrying. So, assess your abilities and decide which season is better for you…we did winter:)

After deciding on when to hike, now its time to get your permit. You can’t hike all the way to the Colorado river and back in the same day, its not allowed and rangers along the trails will send you back up. You can’t also camp anywhere along the river as this is a fragile environment and the number of campers allowed per night is limited and controlled by the NP. Hence, you have to get a permit which comes with a camping spot reservation. The process of getting the permit is straightforward, but its in high demand, even in the off-season. Also, you can get this permit neither online nor in advance, so you have to go to the park’s backcountry office the day before your planned hike and get your permit. The permit system is based on first come first served, so you have to go very early to be one of the first people there when the office opens at 8am.

Got your permit! Now its time to plan your supplies. This is a very strenuous and long hike up, so you’ll need plenty of food, water, and drinks to give you energy along the way i.e. both salty and sweet snacks. But remember! You’ll have to carry all this stuff on your back, so, don’t overdo it and pack food that doesn’t take much space. Fruits are also important as they are highly nutritious and gives you a much-needed psychological boost when you are tired. You can find the detailed list of my packing items here (click to request info).     

Hopefully, by now you’ve planned everything and ready for this adventure of a lifetime…so lets start:)

There are a number of trails that go all the way to the bottom of the canyon from the South Rim, so study all the trails (their length & slope) and chose yours carefully. Since I did this hike in the winter, the water sources were not a factor in my decision, and I chose to hike down via the South Kaibab Trail and up via the Bright Angel Trail.

I decided to hike down via the South Kaibab Trail as it is the shortest trail which means it is the steepest and will be tough going up; yet, going down, it is an adventurous trail as in many places you’ll be hiking around cliffs with amazing views of the river. The trail is 7 miles with an elevation difference of -1,457m and takes around 4-6 hours to reach the river. On the day of our adventure down, we took the hikers’ express shuttle from the backcountry office at 9am (latest) to the South Kaibab Trailhead. This is a dedicated shuttle bus for backcountry hikers and you’ve to show your permit before you board. Now we are at the trailhead and the adventure will begin…any last thoughts about going through with the hike have to be dealt with here:) Ready!! Take a souvenir pic & go:) 

The first part of the trail will take you in a zigzag section through some steps and you’ll lose elevation quickly.

I’ve to admit that with every step, fear starts to creep into you as, unlike mountain hikes, after a certain point, you just can’t turn back and abandon the hike! As you venture deeper into the canyon, more and more amazing views of this stunning landscape unveil themselves to you.

The trail will get steeper and windier after about an hour of hiking, so, be careful with every step you take and always take your time while hiking down.

At this point, you start to realize the grandeur of this canyon and that you are now deep into this wilderness with no people around and you’ll stop thinking about any doubts you previously had as your adrenaline will be pumping and all you care about is reaching the mighty Colorado river. Yet, at this point, you still didn’t see the river! However, the first sight of this mighty river will give you goosebumps and a feeling that can’t be described.

Here, conflicting feelings will creep into you… you are getting closer to your goal, yet you are getting further from your final destination! But keep going…you’re born for this.

Now the trail will get flatter and you’ll keep getting amazing views of the river as you go further down…so, enjoy and abandon your fears.

 

Finally, you’ll reach the river and the bottom of the Grand Canyon…it is a very surreal feeling and the degree of humbleness that you’ll feel in this grand landscape is beyond belief. When you reach the river, go to your campground and pitch your tent. Now its time to relax and enjoy.

When night falls, you’ll start realizing the extent of the task ahead of you tomorrow to get out of this canyon…its scary, and like it is written on the signs along the trail “going down is optional, up is mandatory!” My advice to you, distract yourself from these thoughts by keeping yourself entertained and have trust in your abilities and planning skills…So have a good night’s sleep and get yourself ready for the big day.

Hopefully, you’ll wake up refreshed, have a good breakfast, and pack your camping gear and get yourself ready. As I mentioned earlier, I took the Bright Angel Trail up as, although it is longer, its less steep and easier to hike up. Also, this is a popular trail for day hikers who hike down to a certain point and back, which means that near the end of the trail, when you are tired, there will be people around and help will be quicker in case you needed it. So, lets start getting out of this wilderness and my advice to you….Take Your Time…and don’t over exhaust yourself at the beginning by being too eager to go up.

The first steps on your way up, the adrenaline will be pumping as you’ll be scared of what lies ahead, but this part is easy and goes along the river.

Then, the trail will turn left, away from the river, and you’ll start your long way up. From this point, its all Up:) but not so steep. Also, this trail has some vegetation around it which is a welcome sight from the desolate desert landscape.

I know in this part, tiredness and doubt will creep into you, but keep going and always keep hydrated and charge your energy by whatever trail mix you packed with you. In the middle of all of this, don’t forget to look back as this is where the amazing views of the canyon are.

Continue going up and take as many rests as you need, but be wary of your timing as you don’t want to hike up in the dark. Also, it will help if you kept your spirits high by singing or doing whatever cheers you:)

Over the last mile, you’ll start meeting the day hikers and they will look at you in awe which will make you realize the extent of the achievement that you just did.

The last part of the trail is a zigzag section and it can be grueling especially that by now you’ll be completely drained. However, at this point, you’ll start seeing the rim above you and the end of this adventure, which will be enough to give the last needed boost to keep going. You are almost there and when you reach the final step up, savor this precious moment, enjoy, and treat yourself to a nice meal:)

  

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