Winter Magic in Oak Creek Canyon

Went out to go hiking today, and thought I'd try one of the lower trails south of town where there was almost no snow. Alas, the paucity of snow was accompanied by an abundance of mud! Signs advised against travel, and they were right...the day was sunny and mild, but the track was a crimson quagmire of sticky red goo. So, I changed direction and went north of town, up Oak Creek Canyon, and found...a winter wonderland. About ten miles north of Sedona, at the junction of Oak Creek and its west fork, at an elevation of around 5500 feet, there was nooooo mud...just a foot of snow and a totally cleansed, pristine landscape. What a treat! Here is the West Fork, mostly frozen. I had to ford the creek three times but it was no problem on the ice.

Although the snow had stopped falling five days ago, the trees were still loaded with it, creating an impressionist scene throughout the canyon.

The red rocks were coated with powder. On south facing slopes, much melting had occurred; but the northern slopes retained the dusting administered last week.

On the southern exposure slopes, daytime melting and nighttime freezing have created empires of icicles!

Though I don't live in snow country...and am happy to see greenery and flowers year round...I still love the clean, pristine aura of a countryside cloaked in white. On a day like today, with clear, dry roads and mild temperatures, it's a delight to tromp around in the snow.