That's not me there on the peak of that mountain, but that is where I was hiking today. And I did make it to the top of Piestewa Peak, elevation 2,608 feet. Total elevation gain for the summit trail is 1,190 feet in a 1.2 mile (one way) hike.
It was 90 degrees when we started. 90 minutes, two bottles of water and a temperature at 98 degrees, we were back at the bottom.
My tendency when hiking is to keep my head down and my eyes focused on the next place my foot will land. This particular trail has uneven stair like rock formations that sometimes are a real physical stretch without using my hands. With my head down I miss some of the scenery but after about 20 minutes I don't really care. What does matter, though, is that I do look up occasionally so as not to bump into a descending hiker and to know which fork in the trail to follow. I don't want to fall off the edge, either.
Seems there's a lesson in there for all of us.
I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 121
Psalm 121
1 comment:
What a hike!! And what a view from up there! When we were in Phoenix in January, we went to the top of South Mountain...drove up...and what a neat view of downtown Phoenix from up there! I think it was called South Mountain...it's the one straight south of downtown Phoenix. We stopped at the Castle that was built out of recyclables on the way up the mountain. I don't believe I would hike up any mountain in 90 degree weather, though. You did good!
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