Monday morning saw us sleeping in until 5 am PST (8 am EST) and were out the door to go hiking by 6 am PST.. We had planned to hike along the Oak Creek Canyon trail,. Since the trail follows the river we thought it would be shaded and we would not get overheated.
Well you know what they say about the best laid plans. Even that early, the roads and parking lots of just about every place along the river was full of visitors anxious to stake out a spot for the day along the cool stream.
Trail entrance from the parking lot
he only open parking we could find was beside a bridge that carries vehicles traveling on 89A across the deep gorge of Oak Creek Canyon. From the parking lot, one takes a steep set of stairs to the narrow boulder hopping trail which clings to an even steeper precipice.
And I do mean steep. In most places the drop is nearly straight down from the trail.
Fortunately, the worst parts have metal handrails for safety.
Unfortunately, those handrails offer no protection from the blazing sun .
So as beautiful as the views were, after walking a mile or so on the fully exposed trail, we opted to turn around and go back to the car.
So as beautiful as the views were, after walking a mile or so on the fully exposed trail, we opted to turn around and go back to the car.
Perhaps the next time we come, it will be in cooler weather when the kids are in school and we will be able to walk the creekside portion of the trail.
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