The Window Trail

Simply calling this a hiking trail is minimizing what it really is. It would be better characterized as a spiritual experience. The start of the hike is within a peaceful desert meadow. The sense of solitude instantly puts you at peace.

It was a cool crisp morning hike, chilly enough that our hands were cold. But it was the perfect day for this hike, as most of it is in the open. We were the only ones on the trail until we got close to the canyon and the infamous “window”. The solitude was briefly interrupted by a “pack” of middle aged New York women hackling. No disrespect to New Yorkers (some of my favorite people) but you know what I mean. We patiently waited for the pack o dissipate and retreat to the meadow. The sanctuary was now all ours.

This part of the trail was a bit more challenging, navigating large boulders and doing some climbing. Suddenly it was like the heavens opened up and the window became visible, an opening in the canyon wall revealing a vast openness and some far away mountain formations. It made you stop in your tracks, but also pulled you in to get closer. Well, it actually might have been telling Shannon, “that’s close enough”.

The opening (window) made you realize just how high you were, as it seemed to drop off the edge of the earth from the other side. As Shannon hung on tightly to whatever rock was in reach, I ventured to a small cubby within the window. I felt it was safe from falling over the edge because it was sunken down slightly. I could have sat there forever. The sense of peace and solitude in the spot is like no other. It was hard to leave, I felt like I was leaving a part of me behind.