One of the first extended backpacking trips I took with my husband Erik, was to Aravaipa Canyon, AZ.
It was a trip I will never forget. Full of laughter, newness and exploration. The sunsets where majestic and the 10 mile gorge was full of greens, yellows and oranges, all at different times of the day.
It was a place I never wanted to leave. It had a mix of broadleaf riparian forest composed of cottonwood, willow, walnut, alder, and sycamore trees.
Though we did not see any, Desert Big Horn Sheep live there, along with poisonous snakes, insects and plants. We were fortunate enough to have avoided interactions with anything poisonous. However, Erik did almost step on a rattle snake.
There are no real trails and it’s been known to have flash floods; we were lucky not to end up lost or in the middle of any storms. Instead God blessed us with an amazing experience.
We were exposed to the difficulties of traveling through different terrain, and to an interesting animal know as the Coatimundi.
The Coatimundi is part of the raccoon family and native to hot and humid Amazonian rainforests or even cold Andean mountains. Their geographical range extends from the southwestern U.S. through northern Argentina. We weren’t able to get a picture of one, however, we did actually watch one cross the river on the day we packed out.
Since this trip Erik and I have taken many backpacking trips. Each one has been special in its own way. All have acquainted us with new creatures, plants, rock formations and even people. We have a deep appreciation for the outdoors and the need to seek it.
Exploring new places takes guts, and it also takes planning. In my next few blog post I plan to tell you tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your backpacking trips and make them enjoyable!
Please enjoy the photos from our amazing trip:
Have you ever been somewhere similar? If so, please share in the comments below.
Kellie C. Lee 