Sedona has some beautiful places to hike, and Doe Mountain ranks right up there with some of the best vistas in the area.

The Amblers group of the Sedona Westerners hiking club did our usual sign-in, carpool and meetup, and from there proceeded to the Doe Mountain parking lot and trailhead off Boynton Pass Road.

As we started our trek up the north side of Doe Mountain, our hike leaders Terri and Jon Petrescu shared a cute story about a family they encountered on the trail during their scouting outing in preparation for the actual hike. The kids in the family were especially excited about what they called The Magic Staircase, leaving those of us who had not done the trail before wondering just what The Magic Staircase was, and what wondrous special powers we might find there. We were soon to find out.

The Doe Mountain trail is pretty much straight up the side of the mountain, via rock steps and some switchbacks. You feel like you are gaining elevation rapidly, and we paused several times along the climb trail to look back and appreciate how far we’d come. The ascent is a fairly steep one — at least by my standards — with an elevation gain of approximately 500 feet. There are some areas where it was necessary to hold on to the rocks to make your way up the mountainside — a minor rock scramble. Our hike leaders were excellent at explaining and employing hiking best practices when minor assistance was required, such as by showing us the proper way to hold a person’s wrist when helping them ascend a rock.

We discovered The Magic Staircase just before the trail ascent ended. The Magic Staircase turned out to be a short section of rocks stacked like steps that went through a narrow chute before emerging onto a rock ledge, which in turn led to a large, flat, open area that is the top of the mesa. I concluded that the special powers involved are the hikers’ own strength and spirit leading them to a successful climb to the top.

The top of the mesa is a special feature of the hike and quite unlike other trails given its size and flatness. It is the reward for the climb. Simply put, the mesa offered incredible 360- degree views and provoked many gasps as we hiked along the rim before making our way back down. Before we left the top, we stopped for a snack break on the flat rocks at the top of the trail. The break was memorable not only for the views, but because our hike leader, Terri, brought a delicious homemade pumpkin bread that she shared with all of us. The pumpkins and the apples for the applesauce, which she used for sweetening, were grown in Terri’s own garden. So we had not only red rocks but also green thumbs and an excellent baker at work making the hike pleasurable.

A few folks were on their first hike with the Westerners, and in talking to them afterwards, it was gratifying to hear that their experiences were positive. One hiker said that “the most memorable moment was on the mesa looking panoramically across the red rocks … it was just spectacular … a perfect day for a hike, sunshine and cool temperatures.” Another hiker new to the Westerners mentioned their appreciation for “how cohesive the group seemed — friendly, non-competitive, helpful to each other and the professional leaders set a nice steady pace that all added up to an enjoyable experience.”

On most Sedona Westerner hikes, along with jaw-dropping beauty, there is usually a botany lesson or two, a few hiking tips, a little history and sometimes the chance for good works.

The botany I learned on this hike is that when trees grow in a spiral, their twist is clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

The hiking tip of the day came when the Amblers boss asked how many folks had Osprey backpacks and if we knew that some of the models have a built-in whistle on the chest strap buckle.

Seeing the transition where Boynton Pass Road changes from paved to dirt led to a discussion about the history of why the road was paved to begin with — about 15 years ago to accommodate housing development — and of what used to be in the area before development — a Christmas tree farm.

The good works were evident when a couple of specially-trained veteran Westerners, who knew what they were doing, took the time to document and clean some unsightly graffiti from the rocks on the top of the mesa. Kudos to them and how wonderful it will be when the day comes that this is never necessary.

Above all, the hike along Doe Mountain trail provided an opportunity for a whole lot of connections with nature and with other people who share a love of the outdoors. Rich rewards indeed.

The Sedona Westerners always welcome new members, and we have hikes multiple days of the week for all abilities. If you are interested in joining the club, please visit our website at sedonawesterners.org. You will find an interesting history, the whole season’s list of planned hikes and a handy membership link. It only takes five minutes to sign up and start your new adventures here in the Red Rocks.

Sedona Westerners, written this week by Lisa Critchlow, appears every Friday in the Sedona Red Rock News.