I go to West Fork when my soul needs soothing or whenever I need a refill of pure, refreshing energy and unmitigated beauty. I have been here in the summer with the girlfriends, on a lazy Sunday when we picked blackberries near the onset of the trail then ignored the path and hiked through the water. How awesome to feel the creek rushing around your ankles, and later, lying on the flatrock bottom of the creek, flowing through your hair! We snuck back deep into the canyon where few venture, and we did a prayer ceremony in this sacred and beautiful space.

I've been here in March, wearing shorts, only to discover that there was eight inches of snow and slush on the trail while the new plants thrust green shoots upward to catch the precious rays of sunlight. I've hiked in the Fall when the maples blaze in fiery glory and the trees thin out enough for you to see the fading blue sky. And in the winter, even without snow, a sugar coating of ice forms on the creek and you can see the water trickling along underneath. How fortunate I feel to know a trail so intimately.

West Fork has been healing during difficult times in my life. I came here once during my divorce, with my former husband and we did a short ceremony to release one another, washing our rings off in the creek and asking for help in forming a new friendship. I've come here with friends, with family, and with all those I love to share the beauty and the bounty of this glorious canyon, and there are still side paths, and byways to be explored.

Funny how a hike can be like a best friend, always changing and creating more to be discovered. I give thanks for the beauty and the serenity offered by this little slice of heaven on earth.