From the Archives : hiking without a trail into the sacred Aravaipa canyon

It was August 2020 in Arizona. Covid is still raging on, and so I am seeking far away, outdoor retreats so I do not need a mask. I find a canyon that requires a permit to enter, Aravaipa Canyon. It runs from Winkelman in the West to Safford in the East, a total of 26 miles one way. There is no designated trail, as the canyon is narrow with a river that you can follow. Many walk in the river itself. I see no one else around as I enter. My senses are on heightened alert for bears, snakes and cougars. The power of the canyon and the haunted Indian souls that lie within mess with my mind….

Entering the sacred Aravaipa canyon