This year, 2020, I’m not doing any New Years resolutions. This year I’m doing something different…. something I’m pretty sure I can accomplish. Something that will spark joy in me all year long.
It’s the 52 week hiking challenge.
Have you heard of this? It’s a challenge where you gain physical fitness, mental well-being, make new friends, explore new places, and connect with family, friends and yourself through nature. What’s not to love about that?
This is the perfect year challenge for me.
HIKE NUMBER ONE
So this morning I gathered all my hiking gear and headed up to Flagstaff to hike the Sycamore Rim trail. It’s an 11 mile trail with a waterfall that’s rated moderate on the AllTrails App. I’ve seen pictures of the frozen waterfall on Instagram so I know people have been up there sooo fingers crossed I will be able to hike it.
So that was the plan. I thought more people would be out exploring than the 3 cars I saw and I underestimated the snow situation. I had to park on the main road and hike the 2 miles to the trailhead, in the snow, in the ruts the 4 wheel drive vehicles had made. They were fresh tire tracks so I was still hopeful someone may be hiking the trail.
Although my hike wasn’t going as planned the scenery was still beautiful. I was surrounded by pine trees dusted with fresh white powdered snow and blue mountains in the distance.
Two miles in and I reached the trailhead – not a soul in sight. Not a footprint in the beautiful white snow. Apparently I’m the only adventurer out today; everyone else is probably watching football drinking bloody mary’s.
I wouldn’t call today a total wash. I did hike 4 miles in a winter wonderland, but I’m going to have to come back in the spring when the snow is thawed and try it again.
michelle in the wild 