This is the first of two essays I’ll be writing about hikes I’ve done in Sedona, Arizona.

Sedona, Arizona is so beautiful that only pictures can really tell the story. You will see the most magnificent rock formations and some of the oldest exposed rocks on earth. When people told me they “had to go to Sedona” I pictured a forest; a state park. I didn’t realize that people actually could live in this beauty all the time.

Sedona is known as a spiritual Mecca. Some people think it is one large Vortex; they come from all over to be in a place that is more alive and healthy than any other. It is a fantastic spot for hiking. I highly recommend the four-mile roundtrip Broken Arrow Trail, which begins one quarter of a mile past a road called Morgan Drive, where you must sign in and sign out.

Broken Arrow Trail is not for everyone and, as usual, going up was much harder than coming down! I’m over fifty and we had a dog, and I found that this trail, which is listed as moderate to strenuous, lived up to its reputation (especially in June, when it is very warm). There was very little shade, although we did find some on the trail. Jeep tours are popular here (they don’t drive on trails, but on rocks). The end of the trail is called Chicken Point. This is a great place to have a snack. You will be on top of the world!

This was a tough climb, but actually much of the difficulty was the heat, so bring lots and lots of water. You’ll find a lot of rocks and red dirt; some steep ascends and descends but you won’t be doing any rock climbing.

We lost the trail once, so be careful. There are well-made cairns (rocks piled on one another surrounded by metal in this case) that are staked down, so they can’t be moved. If you lose the cairns, turn right around and you will find them again.

Getting back always seems easier than going. You’ll find some tree roots to make your way over. You’ll also see gorgeous huge leaf cacti and beautiful views all the way down. As we walked and the sun changed the colors of the sky, the rock formations changed colors as well, making amazing shade patterns.

As always take only pictures, leave only footprints and kill only time.