As we hiked the trail twisted and turned and began to elevate here and there but nothing too challenging until we came around the corner and were greeted by this.
We made it to the top of this obstacle and proceeded along the trail with some truly amazing views on both sides of the mountain.
The dried up path we had been following turned to boulders and to make it to the top of each new section you simply climbed over or around the rocks and boulders. Over and over we completed each new set of rocks until we finally reached the top of Camelback.
Once at the top we took in the gorgeous views, and then began the trip back down.
Trying to keep the children in the packs with as little jostling as possible, we slowly made it down the mountain and were greeted by comments from nearly every hiker we passed about how hard it must have been to complete the hike with kids.
It had been a challenge. We were sweaty, hot, and achy. Carrying a 30 pound child almost the entire 3 plus hour round trip hike was exhausting.
Approaching the initial part of the trail that had scared me, there were hand rails and a chain link fence. The rocks were a bit slick and worn and many of the hikers, including us, were using the fence or railing. Feeling triumphant we realized that the last part of the trail was easy. A real trail. Dirt. A slight decline back to the parking lot.
That is when we saw a group having a great time, talking, laughing, and more importantly moving at a pretty good pace. They were just at the bottom of the rail and fence . . . and most of them had only one leg. Some had crutches. Some had prosthetic legs. A few had both legs and hiked along side their friends. We glanced at them and immediately thought of the trail we had just hiked. The trail we'd slipped on several times. The trail that had no real places to stop and rest. The trail we had heard one woman say was the hardest hike in Phoenix.
I don't know why they only had partial limbs or none at all. I don't know any of them or their life story. They don't know that they inspired me that day on the trail. They wanted to hike, so they did. End of story. No excuses. I don't know if they made it to the top or not. But, they were giving it an effort when it was more difficult for them than any of the rest of us on that trail.
We can do hard things. You can do hard things. Take it one step at a time and you can do it. You will find a way. When it seems impossible maybe it is. Maybe it is not. Maybe it is worth your best shot. All lessons that you hear and see but to be on the trail and watch those men and women start that climb made me want to know them.
Even though I don't know them, I'm sure I'll think of them on every hike I do from here on out. When I'm tired, or hot, or feeling muscles cramp up, I'll think of them and be inspired.
Great day on Camelback Mountain.
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