The Training

For 6 weeks now I've been working out religously in preperation for the upcoming expedition. Unfortunately living on the surfaceof the sun, it doesn't allow for "real life" outdoor training, so I'm succumbed to using weight vests on treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bikes and the like. Although this is a good way to get into shape, nothing really replaces strapping on a backpack and getting out on the trail in the open fresh air. Unless you want to jeopardize your health and walk a tight rope of getting heat exhaustion or even worse, heat stroke, you really have no choice but to head north to the red rock and pine trees.

So, this last weekend I decided to do just that, get out in the open blue yander. The plan was to head north to Flagstaff and hike the tallest peak in Arizona, Humphrey's Peak. Unfortunately the last 2 weeks this state has been hit with some pretty heavy monsoons, even a tornado resulting in flash floods, mud slides, road closures and several times reported, lightening strikes. As much as I'd like to get my "trail legs" underneath me, I'm not a big fan of a lightening bolt turning my hair white and developing a sudden st-st-stu-stu-studder. I had to make a quick change in plans and found a hike that was marked as "strenuous" and "most difficult" in Sedona. Most people travel to Sedona to visit the many tourist shops, restaurants, pubs and spas. Some will venture out and find a nice 1 or 2 mile hike meandering past a babbling brook, a stroll in the park, if you will. My hiking partner Lindsey, who's originally from the Big Sky country of Montana, agreed that Mount Wilson would be an ideal place to really get the blood pumping, the lungs working overtime and with a hike over 12 miles round trip, climbing around 2500 feet in elevation gain in just the first 2 miles, would create not only a great training excercise but a memorable trip. Mount Wilson it would be and at 4:30 am we hit the road. 101 North to the 17 North and after a couple stops for a wilderness parking pass and some much needed hot caffeine and a breakfast burrito, we were on the trail by 7:00 am

Part of the first 2 miles "the climb" on the exposed side of Mount Wilson. We were fortunate enought to have 65 degrees, overcast with a slight mist, instead of the possible 95 and baking sun beating down on us.

It was magnificent, the clouds breaking around the various peaks of the red rock of Sedona were

too beautiful too ignore and had to stop for a couple more photo ops.

After about 2 miles we hit the first plateau, hiked another 1/2 mile and came to the second part, the direct face of Mount Wilson. We went from exposed desert slope to Amazon Jungle. The trail was not very well maintained and the tree branches, bushes and shrubs with the early morning dew, that drenched our bodies as we pushed our way through, felt very refreshing.

The "climb" up the face of Mount Wilson is behind us and my quads and calves were very pleased with the relief of just a gentle incline.

We came to a fork in the road and decided to head left and check out the Sedonaa Overlook first.

Got to the summit just in time as fast moving clouds and fog were about to block our view. We were able to see the gorgeous red rock canyon for maybe 10 minutes. It was eerie watching the clouds move in so quickly.

After the fog and cloud cover fully blocked our view we headed back to the fork to check out the North Canyon Overlook.

Complete white out. I couldn't help but wonder what it may have been. "Another day, hopefully a sunnier day", I told myself. My imagination ran wild of what was out there.

We were high up in the clouds and got hit with a pretty good rain dousing and fortunately was prepared with the rain gear. Once we got off the summit and hiked back below the clouds it dried out. Looking back it was a memorable hike and if you get the opportunity to go to Sedona, I'd highly recommend checking Mount Wilson, the highest peak at almost 7300 feet.