Today dawned cold and dark with light rain outside out windows, but no dampened spirits!
In the car park were many cars that had driven in overnight from higher areas that had three inches of snow on their roofs!
By the time we finished breakfast, the rain had stopped and the sky had started to clear. We headed off to the canyon visitors’ centre to meet Winnie and begin our adventure! After visiting the interpretive display and checking in with the rangers, we piled back into the minivan and drove out to the edge of the rim.
As we drove higher, we started seeing piles of snow on the ground with the temperature dropping accordingly!
We piled out of the van wearing every layer of clothes we had and our gloves and made our way to the edge of the canyon.
Winnie asked us to join hands and spoke a prayer for our safety in Navajo and English before we made our way to the start of the trail. The view was simply breathtaking. Sheer red rock canyon walls diving down to a green plain and river below.
Over the next two hours we slowly made our way down the steep path with Winnie pointing out plants and telling stories.
As we descended into the canyon we saw the ancient ruins of Anasazi homes along the walls that were 2,000 years old. Near the ruins we saw pictographs – rock paintings – of hands, horses and people.
Then we were down on the plain and walking through the trees towards Winnie’s camp. After fording a stream we reached the camp and Winnie’s two hogans (traditional houses). The sheer walls of the canyons rose above us as we pitched our tents. Cheryl and Kerrie chose to try out the hogan with it’s fire tonight while the rest of us take to the tents.
After lunch we headed out on a hike along Wild Cherry Canyon. We forded the stream on a rickety bridge the clambered up the bank on the other side. In the canyon we saw more pictographs and stunning views.
Winnie explained that her family used to grow corn in the fields but a dam upstream meant there was no longer enough water. We took a different path back and waded through the stream to reach our camp.
On our hike up Wild Cherry Canyon, Winnie pointed out a site where her father had his sweat lodge. The lodge was dug into the ground with low walls and a roof. Hot rocks would be heated outside then placed inside the door to create the heat, with cedar and other herbs used to line the floor. Entering the sweat lodge was like descending back into Mother Earth. Men and women would use the sweat lodge in separate groups, wearing loin cloths. They would stay in as long as they could, then duck out and roll in the dirt to dry off. Sweat lodges were used to purify and when someone was ill.
Throughout the day the weather cleared and the alternating sun and shade on the canyon walls was spectacular.
This is such a beautiful and peaceful place.
Participant Comments:
This place is truly amazing – the beautiful surroundings and history is awesome. Winnie is a great tour guide and has told us all of many historical events. Crossing the creek bare foot took my breath away. Marion is a great cook. I think we will all sleep well tonight!
Maria
