Getting to Devil's Bridge

 Yesterday we tried to get to the Devil's Bridge trail head via a dirt road. (The dirt roads, which the we were told, are very different from the gravel roads that we were used to.  Um, yup, they were correct.) Our sweet little Tahoe did the best she could but we finally had to turn around when the rocks required to traverse just got too rough.  Not to be lead by what other's say, Brad scours the maps to find a new way to Devil's Bridge.  We will climb over Brim's mesa, back down the other side, down a forest service road to the Devil's Bridge trail head.  Ok, here we go...

Brim's Mesa is about a 600 ft climb in elevation on the first mile of the trail.  This beautiful trail is one of my favorites so far.  

On the back side of the mesa you follow a mostly dry creek bed with those beautiful red rocks all around and nice shade from the warm sun.  We stop often, hoping that we brought enough water.  

The trail is a little over three miles, where we pick up FS 125.  Another "dirt road" where we meet some nice people from California out exploring.
We will see them again on our way back. Outback hikers share a bond and seem to immediately be friends.  

The day is warm and the sun bright as we hike down the road.  It gets rough in spots.  We are on the same road as yesterday, just entering from a different direction.  Finally reaching the trail head, I am feeling tired.  We are about five miles into this hike and a big climb ahead of us, not to mention the return trip.  We are being very stingy with our water, saving the last few sips of the first bottle for the end of Devil's Bridge.  

The climb sure seems longer than advertised and the rocks and other hikers are starting to irritate me.  We stop to take a break, get a snack and a sip of water.  Rested, we push on.

We made it- well almost.  At the top we can still smile, but I am worried about getting down and back.  It has been a long day, already many hours logged today.  

Brad promises a rest on the big flat cool rock at the river bed where we stopped  on our way here.  That thought keeps me going all the way down, and back down the dirt road through to the trail head. 

Grateful to be back at the cool rock, we take off our shoes, rest, snack, open our second canister of water and I take a nap.  So quiet, so peaceful.

Feeling much better, we start our return trip with lighter hearts and a refreshed spirit.  This really is a beautiful trail.

Before we begin our climb down the mesa, we stop to take one last look.

Oh my, what a day.