The hiking group is back to Hell's Half Acre; a series of narrow spiraling canyons that weave through Bear Creek. We hit some places that we have to help one another down, pass packs and retrieve falling water bottles and hiking sticks. I am so impressed over and over at the couple in their seventies and the eighty six year old leader that make their way knee to elbow along these slippery rocky ledges. I freeze midway on the slope of one wall and this woman with her hiking stick stands off to the side and talks me into one baby step at a time till I make it to a flat area or at least something I could dig my heel into. I feel so happy for her help in the form of just staying with me until I take that step since I feel like I am in one of those dreams where you try and run and nothing happens.

We have a few more descents that are challenging but we arrive at the sandy creek bed and the light begins to shift and shape the rock formations into ancestors and sculptures as we make our way back to our vehicles. There is a birthday cake waiting for two of the hikers and I made a batch of chewy chocolate chip cookies. I did not know gator aide could taste so good at the end of a hike.

So after about twenty up and down crossings of the creek and three gates we drive up and out of the canyon onto the plateau and to the little town of Gila. It is magical to enter the earth's tunnels and caves and witness the vast beauty that is just out of view or behind the scenes.