"Wilderness"

I just finished writing for my ENV 301W class, It will also be adapted for one of my PHI 331 journals.

This paper is in response to the question: Ever been in "the wilderness"? Where? What did you experience there?

Zane Ioli

ENV 301W

10/8/10

Reader-Response – “Wilderness”

I would have to say that last time I experienced the wilderness was just at the beginning of the semester.  A friend and I decided to take a hike up Kendrick Peak in the Kendrick Mountain Wilderness of the Kaibab National Forest.  This area is definitely subject to being titled “wildness” for a handful of reasons.  The road to the mountain was dirt, yet very well maintained, this being a sign that we might not be the only people experiencing this wilderness.  Upon arriving at the trailhead we discovered a nice parking lot, and even a restroom.  It seemed that while this may be a designated wilderness area, the “solitary” aspect that we presume of wildness was not accurate here.  Nevertheless I was still very excited for this hike, it had been a great deal of time since my last hike in what I imagine is “wilderness”.  There were a great number of other hikers on the trail.  A friendly smile or hello usually constituted our interaction before being back on our own.  The trail itself was quite a bit more intense than I had suspected.  Just over 8.6 miles round trip was quite a work out, not to mention a 2,718 foot elevation gain!  Quite frankly though, the different ecological zones we passed on our way up was incredibly fascinating, and the views were breathtaking.  From the peak of the mountain at 10,418 feet we could see all of the San Francisco Peaks to the east, we could see the edge of the Moguillon rim to the south, and we could see a faint line that is the Grand Canyon to the north.  In the saddle between to of the peaks of Kendrick Mountain we stopped and had a small packed lunch.  It was incredibly relaxing to rest for a moment.  However even more satisfying than that was feeling “alone” in this wilderness.  To see the vast expanse of land in every direction, all the green tress and native grasses was a extremely refreshing experience.  While I know that the area isn’t even what I would consider true wilderness, it was an experience in wilderness that was extremely memorable and much needed from my day-to-day life.

A photo I took from the fire lookout tower – 10,418 feet – Looking north-east