Ancient Trees and Falling Water
Details
Rating: Two short hikes, 3 miles total hiking, easy to moderate. Climbing will be less than 600 feet total. Hike altitudes are 10,000 and 7500 feet. Mindful aspects to encounter as described below.
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These hikes are in conjunction with Red Rock Hiking.
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This Saturday we are going to travel to the high mountains east of Cedar City, to pay a visit to some trees that I've been living since the days of the ancient Greeks. They are bristlecone pines, rooted 10,000 feet above sea level, and they bear the marks of a very difficult life indeed.
It's known as the Twisted Forest, and it lives up to its name. None of these trees are anything like straight. Each one of them has its own space, set in a much larger, windy space packed with views across huge forested mountainsides and deep canyons.
The trees stand watch over it all, and have done so for thousands of years.
Our passage among the trees is but a single mile, but it seems much longer, with steep slopes, dark woods, high ridges, and airy views in all directions. And there will be a special tree that will be calling just to you.
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After we take our leave, we'll travel down the mountain to a more hospitable altitude, and a wetter attitude. It's known as Hidden Haven, a one mile long trail climbing thru tall piney woods, up to a large rocky cliff that has a small cold stream splashing down over its face. You'll feel a special purpose for this awakening splash today.
This hike will be a bit warmer, so our true purpose will be to reach that purifying flow, stand against that mossy wall, and allow it to wash away all of our cares, leaving us better (and wetter) for the experience.
Mindful Aspects: In short, a day contemplating (your) life. First with the slow, solid, enduring wood; then fast, and exhilarating, with the flowing, ever changing water and new green things all around. There will be some suggested meditations and metaphors as you encounter the patiently evolving twisted pines, and an experience of release and renewal at the waterfall encounter and walk back to the cars. We look forward to sharing these with you all. Bring a camera and small notebook and pen for recording your process in prose or poetry, video or all three!
Won't you join us? :) M+J
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Prep: Sunscreen, sun hat and light clothing for the first hike, along with grippy shoes and leather gloves for the rough bits. 1-2 big bottles of water with extra in the vehicle for refills. And a snack or two.
For the second hike, bring clothes suitable for getting wet in, and light sandals or water shoes for the rocky ground below the falls, if you don't have hiking shoes that can get wet.
Meet: Drive north from St. George on I-15 to Cedar City and take Exit 57, South Main Street. There is a prominent Maverick gas station to the right as you exit. As you turn into the station, there's a small parking lot on the right side of the store.
Carpooling in the more dirt-capable vehicles is suggested from this point.
Drive: From Cedar City, we drive up route 14 to Cedar Breaks, where we'll stop at a couple of viewpoints. Then it's on over the crest and a 4 mile drive on a semi-rough dirt road to the Twisted Forest. Then we take a wider and smoother dirt road for 7 miles down the mountain, finally reaching the paved highway again, close to Hidden Haven. Following that hike it's a 30 minute drive down the mountain to Parowan and I-15, then a fast 30 minutes back to Cedar City.
Questions? Message or text: fore three five three won nine 9 six oh seben.
See you there! M+J :)
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Please Note The Following:
Meetup organizers are not touring guides and are not park rangers. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being.
By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant - including you - at any event.
All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or injury to themselves or their guests.
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