Words That Play

In Sedona , beauty surrounds you, but for up close, personal and jaw-dropping sights created by nature, you’ll want to go off the beaten track. With more than 100 trails covering 300-plus miles in Sedona, it’s easy to find a new path to wander. What’s hard is deciding which path to take. Whether hiking , biking , walking or running, there’s a route for you. Landmark Decisions Check ‘em off on Doe Mountain Trail where switchbacks ascend a mesa with 360-degree views of Bear, Maroon, Mund and Wilson mountains; Loy, Boynton Sycamore and Secret canyons; Chimney Rock and Cockscomb formations. You’ll agree it’s well worth the effort. (1.5 miles; 2 hours) Note: All distance and time estimates reflect round-trip excursions. Meanwhile, Centennial Trail [LC1]   , a paved 1-mile trail, delivers many of the same visual rewards, including the Red Rock Country basin, the Cockscomb formation, Bear, Doe, Mingus and Secret mountains. Go late in the day and watch how the setting sun chan...

“Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.” – Thomas Jefferson Wise words and so true. Walking is easy on the frame. It frees the mind to roam along with the body, and it calms mental chatter—like a reset button for your brain. Walking builds stamina; exerts muscles and lungs on an upward path. Trek far enough and you will go amazing places. In Great Falls , there are many amazing places, and they’re all within walking distance. “One may walk over the highest mountain one step at a time.” – Barbara Walters The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex (commonly known as the Bob) is an outdoor lover’s paradise. This federally preserved 1.5 million acres hugs the Continental Divide and reaches elevations above 9,000 feet. Its trails could be wandered for weeks, though many are just a short drive and a day-hike away. These will get you going: Devil’s Glen via Dearborn River Trail (6 miles round trip). Don’t be fooled by the name, this little m...