Hiking Day One

Our goal this week is to hike "Bear Mountain".  The first line of the trail description reads, "This is a strenuous trail and not suited for many hikers."  Yikes, if I was not nervous enough.  We will begin the week getting ready by doing some more moderate trails.  We have been told that the altitude can be a real problem.  At 4,500 feet Sedona is  a little higher than we are used to.

Day One activities begin with getting our "Senior Parks Pass".  For $10, anyone over 62 can get a Lifetime pass to ALL National Parks.  So COOL!  Driving out of Sedona on 179 10 miles takes us 25 minutes.  Fast compared to those stuck in traffic going the other direction.  This little town is SO full of people.  The traffic circles are all but stopped as cars line up for MILES to work their way through the intersection of 179 and 89A loving referred to as the "Y".

The nice man at the desk at the US Forrest Service , from Roseau MN, by the way, helped us pick out some hikes to fill our week.  Today we hike the Baldwin Loop trail which takes us along Oak Creek and near Cathedral Rock. This is an easy 3-4 mile hike with little vertical climb. 

 Cathedral Rock is the most photographed place in all of Arizona.