Yesterday after sight-seeing about, an REI shopping spree, plus the next destination drive, I was ready to hit a trail today. I was still not quite back to normal after Monday's big day, so wanted a good distance hike with little elevation & loads of scenery. Sedona was hot when I arrived yesterday and even hotter today when I landed at the trailhead for the Bell Rock/Courthouse Butte/Llama Loop.
It was time to get down and dirty in that red soil that I love so much.
The trail was very, very quiet. It pays to get going early. The colors seems crisper and it's peaceful. Bell Rock at the end of this trail, is a vortex. I tried to feel it but no luck. I'm not sure what is suppose to happen to you or what you feel but all I noticed was that this was absolutely a gorgeous sight and I took time to appreciate the beauty.
This so called "Big Loop" takes you behind Courthouse Butte.
It's an opportunity to get close.
The trails were well maintained and marked. They were narrow at times, lined with cactus here and there, red dirt everywhere, soft to hike along and a pleasure to experience. This is Sedona's version of a trail marker. I realized too, these were a great spot to rest your pack. I was warned to be sure to examine the pack carefully if I choose to place it on the ground.
blooming cactus
Right around the corner, like out of the blue, there you have a slickrock mound.
I could not help admiring the red stone against the blue sky.
today's shadow shot
They say the deeper in you go, the more chance of feeling whatever it is a vortex offers up. I was deep within this hike, along the Llama Traill, well behind all formations, away from everyone so I took the opportunity to try and go deep. No luck! All I noticed was that this was absolutely a gorgeous sight and I took time to appreciate the beauty.
By doing this Loop, I got to admire Bell Rock from many angles.
It was pretty no matter which way I looked at it.
A friend says this looks like an asparagus.
I agree.
As I was nearing the end of my hike, which was just on the other side of Bell Rock ahead, I was quite content with the distance and elevation gain, given the heat and my reeling from Monday. My hiking shoes were red as were my socks and the bottom of my pants. That's the sign of a great time!
Sedona is such a beautiful place. I still wonder about those vertex places though. I won't give up there has to be something to them. What I have noticed so far, where there is a vortex, there is a pretty sight!
Finishing a bit early today allowed me time to savour scenery from the terrace at my front door.
My view!
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