Munds Wagon Trail

DAY 10:

View of Sedona in the Valley

After a steady rain the last couple of days, we were scheduled to have a break in the weather.  With this information, John and I decided to get a hike in first thing in the morning, before the sun rises over the canyon walls.  If we thought we liked the trail hike around Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte a few days ago, then this was ten times better!  Yes it was muddy, but hey, we're here only a few days.  It 's now or never???  The Munds Wagon Trail is a wilderness trail that zig zags across Oak Creek's dry river bed in numerous areas, except it wasn't dry today.  The creek was filled with running water creating waterfalls and areas that we had to traverse through.   Yes, we got wet but we had so much!!!  The dogs loved the trail too especially having drinking water available as needed.  We turned around after a 1 and 1/2 hour hike one way as we did not know for sure how long it would take to continue the trail all the way around one of the red rock mesas.  The hike back took a little less time probably because we did not stop to take as many pictures.

Forging through Oak Creek

Morning mist

When we got back to the rental car we had to clean the dogs before we could load them up.  Thank-goodness we had thought of brining a bucket with fresh water to put their paws in to clean them up a bit.  We also had plenty of doggie towels spread out on the back seat.  Then, when we got home, we took Da Boyz into the RV shower one at a time to clean them up completely.  Pippa, being a little taller, did not need a shower as her height kept her from dragging her belly in the red clay.  Only after we cleaned the pups did John and I get to shower.  Our red clay-coverd shoes are still sitting outside the RV waiting for their turn.  The washer and dryers at the camp do not permit shoes in the machines, and I understand why! We also found out that the marathon that was scheduled for today was cancelled due to the flooding of many sections of the trail.  Only the half marathon, the 10K and 5K were run.  Apparently this was a very unusual and sizable rainfall for this neck-of-the-woods.

Cathedral Rock

By 12:30 we were on our way to Jerome, a revived ghost town known for its copper mining the first half of the 20th century.  After WWII it was discovered by hippies who have claimed it and have turned it into an artisan town.  John enjoyed going through the museum while I walked the pups.  On our way back to Sedona we stopped  at the infamous Cathedral Rock to get a closer look.  It is supposed to have some beautiful trails around it as well but due to the rain we just didn't get to it.