Of all the ways to experience the western states, hiking is the immersive option. Whether you’re exploring national parks or enjoying regional secrets, hiking serves every age.
That doesn’t mean it’s safe, exactly. Engaging with nature means venturing beyond civilized conveniences. All you have is what you bring, and who you’re with informs how far you go. Four seasoned hikers can summit Quandry Peak and be back for dinner, but for those of us accustomed to ample oxygen and the occasional trip to the attic, we’d need to bring a tent.
We once led a youth group hike up a winding canyon. The elevation gain was moderate, and the trail featured all the hiking highlights. Crossing a brook on stepping stones, weaving through the woods, cooling off under an eight-foot waterfall, and even a bit of rock climbing up to a series natural pools. It was relaxing until it wasn’t.
Half the group chose soaking in the pools, while the other half climbed to the ledge overhanging the pools. Within minutes there were rocks raining into the water. The desired effect was to startle and splash, but the side effect was a rockslide of scree, some the size of softballs.
A few nasty clunks and a score of near misses shut that good activity down in a hurry, and thankfully no one attempted a high dive. All in all, we made it back with bandaids left over.
Equally successful, yet more sobering, was a canyon hike up to Hutch’s Pool near Tucson. For those visiting the southwest from the Great Lakes states, it’s difficult to comprehend desert heat and aridity. Forty minutes into a hike you’re wishing you’d brought two water bottles, or maybe four. And, though there’s far more natural beauty lining the trail than you’d expect given the heat, there are also creatures normally kept behind glass at the zoo. You quickly learn not to grab a walking stick without checking both ends.
By the time we reached the pool, our water bottles were dry, our clothing caked in salt sweat, our legs scraped and scratched, and no one was surprised when the emergency helicopter zoomed overhead on its way up the canyon.
Still, all was forgotten when we reached Hutch’s Pool. It was wet, cool, and full of happy hikers. We floated about, sharing stories of where we were from and what we’d seen on our way up. The scrapes and bruises were forgotten, it wasn’t raining scree, and being cool and wet was better than any ride at the amusement park.
It’s important to remember the pools up top when life’s journey leaves us sweaty and scratched. Dodging thorns, avoiding snakes, and watching the emergency chopper fly by is real, but so is the pool. The story of our lives is about the camaraderie of journeying with others and soaking in the beauty of God’s Creation at the summit. That’s the part of hiking none of us should miss. The hike of life is often rough, but we get to choose its destination. The Bible puts it this way: Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.1 That hike includes the pool up top, and also the camaraderie along the way.
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