Yearn to Wander

Black-tailed Jack Rabbit

Woods Canyon Trail was different from any other hike I've taken in the Sedona area.

As usual, it was warm and sunny, in the high 80s F (30+ C). But the old jeep trail wended its way through a wide, open canyon whose sides were covered with low vegetation such as Mesquite, Prickly Pear Cacti, grasses, and occastional pines and junipers. Mesquite and its small leaves told of water nearby, as did the increase in wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife, but I never saw it. A scruffy horse, perhaps a wild horse, darted fearfully across the trail, and a Black-tailed Jack Rabbit hiding next to a yucca raced away. The mystery, though, was the dramatic change in soil. The first mile was red, typical of the area. Then came a dry creek (arroyo) filled with cobble and boulders across the trail. Immediately after crossing it, the soil became light brown or pale gray. Geologic processes from millions of years ago were the likely cause. But what were they? Guess I have more digging to do, again. Back to "Roadside Geology of Arizona."