Chimney Rock, Capitol Reef National Park, UT.
Sacred Land
Last week I celebrated my birthday in Sedona. I never feel the desire for lavish celebrations—I’m just happy to explore nature and make memories.
And that’s exactly what ended up happening.
A couple friends and I decided to explore some ancient ruins on the outskirts of Sedona.
This required a hike on an established trail, followed by a climb up a tiny, unmarked trail that slowly wound up the cliff face, where the ruins are located.
Although the ruins were small and simple, it felt like an honor to visit them.
This place was special enough.
But thanks to the higher vantage point we gained by climbing up to the ruins, we could see a large cave off in the distance.
We only had an hour before sunset, but we had food, water, flashlights and a sense of adventure, so we set off towards the cave.
It took us a while to find the best route, which ended up looking more like a deer trail than anything, but it led us up, down and around steep and impressive rock formations, over a large, flat and curiously circular rock that could easily pass for a helicopter pad, past small caves, more unexpected ruins, and finally, after some climbing and steep scrambles… to the cave.
Or, rather, caves.
We ended up in a large, bowl-shaped canyon, open on one side and tall cliffs surrounding the rest. And at the base of the cliffs are a series of caves, punched into the rock like Morse code—some small, some large, some shallow, some deep.
And, to our delight, at the entrance to each cave were remnants of ancient civilization—rocks expertly stacked on one another, like bricks, to form exterior walls to protect the cave interior from the elements.
We were in what could quite possibly have been a tiny village at one point.
It was incredible to witness.
Calm.
Quiet.
This felt like sacred land.
Before long the setting sun began to cast a warm glow across the red Sedona rocks.
So special.
We eventually had to leave, but not without a profound experience and a powerful memory none of us are likely to forget.
“And while I stood there I saw more than I can tell, and I understood more than I saw; for I was seeing in a sacred manner the shapes of things in the spirit, and the shape of all shapes as they must live together like one being.”
-Black Elk, Oglala Lakota Sioux
