Sedona, Arizona
I had heard that Sedona, Arizona is a great place for hiking. We were originally planning to spend a few days at the National Parks in Utah, including Arches and Canyonlands, but decided to head South to avoid a snowstorm.
I googled “best easy family hikes in Sedona” and got a list of about 10 choices. We chose “Devil’s Bridge” because we have loved taking family photos on bridges throughout the trip. The Internet said this hike was “Easy”.
We got the last open spot in the trailhead parking lot when we arrived. We set out feeling energized and ready for a leisurely walk to see the natural bridge. We walked for what felt like about 2 miles and I thought to myself, we should be getting close. We came to a sign that said Devils Bridge ➡️.
From that sign, the trail started a gradual climb for about a mile. My legs started to hurt, and I began thinking about how we would need to return the same distance back. At least the return trip would be downhill, I told myself, as the trail kept going up.
We asked people returning from the end of the trail how much further it would be and they kept saying, It’s a ways further.
What is a ways? I wondered. Please tell me it’s coming up soon.
We started seeing these gardens of stones piled along the trail. It gave us something to look at and put a little spring in our step. It was as if those who had stacked the stones were cheering us on to the finish line.
The last part of the hike was the hardest because it was climbing and scrambling up rocks. I was very impressed by the man with a baby carrier and the couples with their dogs on leashes scrambling up those rocks. It seemed like everyone thought this was no big deal and they didn’t seem the least bit tired. I was slipping and sliding, huffing and puffing, and whining the whole way.
We got almost to the top and there was a stopping point with an incredible view and people were taking photos. I heard a few people say, “let’s just stop here. This is far enough”. I heard that and said “sounds good to me. I’ll just plop down here and let the rest of you all finish the hike. I’ll be here waiting.”
This is typical of me. I don’t like discomfort and I would much rather quit than go all the way, if given a choice. Lately, I’ve been realizing this about myself. I knew that I had to go all the way to the top. We carried on scrambling up all those rocks until we reached this incredible natural bridge where a line of people were waiting to get their photos taken. I immediately knew that to not go all the way to the top would have been a loss. Those last 20-30 feet of climbing was SO WORTH IT! Now I would have no regrets. We will always remember this moment, but especially me because I know that I pushed myself. Ivy’s comment when we reached the top was just perfect. She said,
“You are turning your fear into fun!”
Here are some photos of our family on Devil’s Bridge in Sedona, Arizona.
