I’ve been wanting to check out some desert canyons, so I finally made it happen last weekend. I started my day pretty early, you know, to beat the heat and the crowds.

First, I drove out to the area, it is about a two-hour drive from where I live. I packed a bunch of water and some snacks. Because I knew it was going to be a long day. Once I got there, I slapped on a good amount of sunscreen, then I put on my hat and grabbed my backpack, and hit the trail.
The first part of the hike was easy, it was just a flat walk through the desert. But then I got to the entrance of the canyon, and things started to get interesting. The walls closed in, and the temperature dropped a bit, which was a nice break from the sun. I started climbing over some rocks and navigating through some narrow passages. It’s like some scene from movies but I was right there in it. It was amazing to see those towering walls of sandstone with so many colors, layers, and shapes that nature has carved. It’s wild to think how long this has all been here.
I took a ton of photos, trying to capture the colors and the scale of the place. It felt like I was walking through a natural maze. Every turn brought a new view, a new formation, and I couldn’t stop snapping pictures.
Some details about my hike:
- Started early in the morning to avoid the worst of the heat.
- Spent about 4 hours exploring the canyon.
- Walked around 5 miles in total.
- Encountered only a few other hikers, which made it feel even more special.
After a few hours, I found a nice spot to sit down, have a snack, and just soak it all in. It was so quiet and peaceful. Then, I headed back, feeling tired but happy. That was such a great experience. The desert is a truly magical place and I love it!