How I Found Myself While Lost
The trail disappeared. The trail was well-marked and clear, but then it was not. I turned around and saw the trail I was on, but it left into the desert, as if it was no more. It was a loop trail, so I knew this was not right. With no service on my cell phone, I walked back and forth, reconstructing my steps carefully, looking for clues for the continuation of the trail. No footprints were in sight to help guide me. I was at a pivotal point: should I just wing it and walk where I think the trail should be or go back?
As I was driving to my next hike, the Elephant Trail in Cave Creek, Arizona, I was super stoked up for this hike. I felt prepared and ready to do this moderate to difficult hike, commending myself as a solo woman hiker. I took preparations seriously, such as plenty of water to carry, snacks (important), shoes on snuggly, tissue, cell phone (very important), walking sticks as this was a steep hike, and brought a lunch that I left in my vehicle for later.
Hopeful beginnings at the start of the trail!
The day started out sunny with blue skies and a few clouds. There was a chance of rain later, but I knew I would be done long before the rain would come. It was early fall, still a little warm out, but some of the intense heat of the summer had started to wane.
As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed it was wet outside, a possible storm passed through here, but not too wet for a hike. The moisture would help keep the day cool for me. I secured my vehicle and walked to the trailhead. The trail has a wash near the beginning which is usually arid and dry, but not this day. Even though there was water, it was only ankle deep, but a lot of mud. I hopped around any dry land I could find, or soft mud, if you can call it soft. But my shoes had caked on mud. You know how hard it is to walk with mud on your shoes? It can be quite heavy.
After I wiped the mud off, I was ready to proceed on the trail. One thing that I like about hikes is when you start off with the harder part first. Basically, going up hill, to me, is the harder part. Just get the hard part over with and then it is smooth sailing after that. There was a steep hill before me, and using my hiking sticks to help, I went up.
Going up hill, huffing and puffing, well maybe not that much as I hike a lot, but still my heart was pumping pretty good. The highest point to climb up for this particular hike is around 1200 feet. What I like to do is stop to not only catch my breath, but to take a look at the nature all around me. The higher I climbed, the prettier it got! I went on a series of hills, up and down, great for my glutes and legs.
The further I got on this hike, I noticed the signs were disappearing. You know how you see a sign to tell you what trail you are on, or how far you have hiked, or where the next trail is to take after your trail ends? Well, the signs disappeared when I went into a dry wash (no water this time). However, some kind people put a pile of rocks in different areas to direct you where to go. Otherwise, I might have had to turn around and go back and that would have been a real bummer.
As I was getting closer to getting to the top, my excitement definitely increased!
Who isn't excited when they can accomplish something that is difficult for them to do? The views were getting really pretty as I was getting higher. Although there were times I doubted where I was, as I haven't seen any signs for some time now, but the trail was there and I knew I was headed in the right direction.
Elephant Mountain in all its glory!
I had to stop for a moment as I drank in the beauty before me as I rested. I refreshed myself with water and a light snack. It was so quiet around me, almost eerie like, but peaceful. That is a part of the reason I like to hike. It is so peaceful, away from the daily stress of life and kind of relaxing. Sure, you have to work at it, but you go at your own pace and pick the trail YOU want to walk on.
Well, moving forward, I was walking along and all of a sudden the trail disappeared. I usually do not get lost, and this was very unnerving.
There is always a first time and this was it: I was lost. I had to make a decision.
Should I scale the rock, or go back? I really didn't want to go back as I knew this was a loop trail, and I hate giving up. I retraced my steps a few times and looked around, desperately trying to find the trail.
I like to read reviews of trails, and I don't remember anyone mentioning they got lost on this trail, and I didn't want to be the first one! I looked at some large rocks to climb up on (no scaling) and decided to see if the trail was over there. Yep, I found it!! The trail kind of ended, but the rocks were deceiving and didn't tell me where to go. It was like the rocks were blocking a clear way to the trail, hiding it from someone to complete the trail, having a sense of accomplishment.
Remember how I mentioned the lack of signs? Absolutely no signs here! Nothing to say, “Go around these rocks to finish what you started.”
I basically made it to the top with Elephant Mountain before me! I wanted to shout at the mountain top, “I made it! No one could have stopped me now!”
I was so happy I could have hugged myself. Feeling frustrated before, not thinking kind thoughts, but now I was rejoicing that I made it.
As I was standing there taking photos, I noticed a cool breeze. I quickly looked up and realized the clouds gathered up to a point where I heard thunder. That was my cue to go.
Elephant Mountain up close and personal!
But before I left, I paused for a moment, feeling thankful for accomplishing this trail. I knew after this hike that I could do it. I could hike a trail even if the trail disappears, but I need a good dose of patience and confidence.
Going down was at a careful and slow pace to avoid sliding or stepping on jumping cactus pieces!
I proceeded forward on the loop. Honestly, I don't know what is harder, going up or going down. Me and my sticks went down carefully as there were a lot of jumping cactus (or cacti) around. It was a pretty walk down with unbelievable views of the desert area and a small town nearby. This was a long, long walk. I didn't realize how far I had come up till I went down.
Looking down at the town of Cave Creek, Arizona.
Guess what? I saw my first sign after walking down for some time! The trail was going a different direction and another was one was starting, so a sign was placed there just for that, plus a bench. I try not to sit down as I might not want to get up for some time again.
The clouds were coming closer and my sticks and I started to walk at a somewhat fast pace as I didn't want to get caught in a storm.
I even saw some people just starting on the trail. It was getting late in the afternoon, and I was ready to be done. I love to hike, but when I am getting close to being done, I am ready for that. Going back was so much easier. That was why I like to start hard at first, get it over with, then go back easier and just enjoy the slower pace.
Fast moving storm almost on the trail!
Even though I was trying to move a little faster to avoid a potential storm, it was a nice pace I took. Do you ever get achy feet from hiking or even blisters? I felt a blister or two starting to grow on a foot. One thing I try to take with me are band-aids, which I forgot to this time. I know they don't help blisters, but to protect them from the constant rub of the shoe on your foot.
Time for another decision: should I walk in the water or not?
Normally a dry wash, today it was wet and refreshing as I plunged in with my shoes on socks on!
I am tired and hungry and my vehicle is just on the other side, with a lunch packed, waiting for me to eat it at such a late time in the day. So, I walked in the water with my shoes on, which I thought was so refreshing! I should have walked in it the first time around instead of wasting time trying to find a dry area. The walk to my vehicle was a feeling of thankfulness, thankful I didn't get lost after all, I completed the whole loop trail, and I didn't get rained on. But it did start sprinkling as I was walking to my vehicle. Narrowly missed a storm that was approaching rather quickly!
How I found myself while lost is my way of persisting, even with the odds against me. Sure, I could have given up and went back the way I came, but I did not. I knew there was better, something better for me to see or do, and indeed there was. I found I had the courage to keep trying to find the lost trail, maybe a few bad words, but the point is, I did it. I found who I really was while lost: a woman who persists no matter the difficulty or challenges. You can too. Try it sometime.
Elephant Trail is located in the Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area, Cave Creek, Arizona, a beautiful site with trails for all fitness levels, with desert views, birding and a peaceful atmosphere. There is a small fee to hike in this area, I believe at $3, but worth it to maintain the trails, clean porta potties and picnic areas.