6 Mile Hike: Cathedral Rock

Sedona is such a beautiful place, you have to hike

and climb into the majestic rocks to really get a feel for the place. I stress FEEL because many people believe that Sedona's red rocks are Vortecies. The vortexes of Sedona are named because they are believed to be spiritual locations where the energy is right to facilitate prayer, mediation and healing. Vortex sites are believed to be locations having energy flow that exists on multiple dimensions. The energy of the vortexes interacts with a person’s inner self. It is not easily explained. Obviously it must be experienced.
So on our 3rd day in Sedona we decided to really take it all in. We had a hearty breakfast in town and then headed to one of the many trailheads that take you on and up into the rocks. We chose to discover Cathedral Rock. The hike up to the base of the rock was very fast, and fairly easy. One we got to the base of Cathedral Rock we looked around, inspired by the views of the valley - you couldn't even see the already forgotten tourist town. Paige, who amazes me in new and different ways every day, pulled out a journal, sat down, and began to write. I didn't even know that she had brought the journal. She asked us to wait for a few moments while she did this, and I couldn't decide what was more inspiring... the view... or her. So I took out my camera and snapped a few shots of our surroundings, and Paige described what she saw, heard and felt at the base of Cathedral Rock. As soon as she was finished we went up a little further under the rock and found another trailhead. We had 2 choices. Climb up Catheral Rock... or hike down behind it into the canyon. We had such a gorgeous view already, we decided to hike down into the canyon for a different perspective on things. It was about 2 miles down into the canyon, and the trail was worn well. There were a few times we veared off the beaten path... like when Cole found a lizard to chase down, or when Robert felt an energy pulling him in another direction. The hike down was pretty easy, and the sites along the way were amazing. Once we got to the bottom of the canyon we were greeted by a clear and cool watered creek. I can only guess that we had stumbled upon Oak Creek, for which the canyon was named. The water was very refreshing to walk through in our bare feet, and next to it was the perfect place to enjoy our picnic. The kids took multiple trips back and forth across the creek, attempting, but failing miserably at not slipping on the rocks and falling into the shallow, rushing waters. And as if the beauty of this canyon and creek weren't enough, there was a giant, GIANT tree that boasted a swing. The swing jetted out over a big sandy area and hung probably 8 feet off the ground. It was popular you could tell, and our kids were no less excited than anyone there to try it out.

After an hour or so passed we decided it was time to make the climb back up the back of Cathedral Rock. Our concierge at the hotel told us that there is a Petroglyph site on the back side of Cathedral Rock. He said it would be a steep hike to get to it, and not many people can find it, but if we do, it'd be worth it. While the kids were playing in the creek, Robert took off to try and find the petroglyphs. When he re-emerged, he was very excited to show us. So on our way back up we again, detoured from our path and hiked... no scratch that... climbed our way to the petroglyph site. It was nerve racking and strenuous for me and the kids, but we made it. And this is what we saw:

The energy and healing properties are said to be significantly higher when you are right on the rock itself, but we could feel them throughout the entire hike. However, we definitely felt a significant difference being up on Cathedral Rock itself. After that exciting moment in the day, we completed the more difficulty ascension back to the base of the rock, taking in more beautiful sites and Paige and Cole growing collectively more tired. We headed back to the car, wobbly legged and sweaty, but seemingly at peace and rejuvenated. Here are some more photos from the hike.