Red Rock Dreaming

Connecting With Nature on the Trail

The next morning, I wanted to get an early start ahead of the day's heat. It was forecast to be well over 100 degrees, so I drove out to state Route 18 for the short hike to Whiterocks Amphitheater. Making my way along the sandy trail, I admired the rock formations and trekked across the slickrock to marvel at the natural amphitheater.

Part of the 62,000-acre Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, Snow Canyon State Park is just one part of the larger ecosystem, which provides important habitat to a number of rare species. The park’s residents include 14 protected species, including gila monsters, peregrine falcons and desert tortoises. The park brochure contains helpful, step-by-step instructions on how to help a tortoise cross the road (one crucial tip: “don’t tip it from side to side”). I didn’t encounter any reptiles in need of a crossing guard, but I was relieved to know what to do if I came across one (and delighted the park took the time to educate visitors).

Heading back to my car, I drove to the Hidden Pinyon Trailhead and began exploring the 1.5-mile route with interpretive signage and an accompanying booklet pointing out basalt flows and plants like Banana Yucca and Purple Torch Cactus. Before long, a friendly man wearing a shirt emblazoned with “Trail Steward” stopped to chat, making sure I knew where I was going and wishing me a nice hike.

The park has signs posted at trailheads advising people not to hike between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the summer season, and I noticed it was already past 10 a.m., so I opted for one more quick morning hike. The Pioneer Names Trail is a half-mile walk which lets visitors see names written in axle grease by early travelers dating back to 1881. I wondered what their experience was like. What did they wear? What did they say to each other when they were writing their names on these rocks? Where were they going and how long had they been traveling? Did they refrain from travel between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.? The questions were almost endless. I wondered where their descendants were today as I hiked back to camp to relax and find some respite from the midday heat.

Wellness and Adventure Among the Sandstone

After a couple days exploring Snow Canyon State Park on my own, I was ready to experience the area in a different way. My next stop was Red Mountain Resort, which is located right on the edge of the park. I would be trading in my peaceful solitude for pleasant companionship in a guided retreat format. While the scenery and landscape were quite familiar, I was going to interface with the environment in a very different way. Instead of joining lizards for a “just add boiling water” style of campsite meal, I would be dining with travelers from all over while enjoying gourmet cuisine and conversation. The resort offers a variety of wellness retreat options focused on well-being and adventure. I signed up for the Red Mountain Essential Retreat which provides opportunities to sample many different types of experiences.

I checked in and scanned the huge list of on-site offerings like meditation, Zumba, yoga, pool workouts and off-site excursions ranging from a full day trip to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to a day-long trek through the Narrows of Zion National Park.

I then tried a Chi Ball Stretch class, using small balls infused with essential oils to massage and stretch using a variety of methods. Then it was time for lunch — coconut chicken, brown basmati rice, and grilled pineapple salsa, among other mouth-watering buffet offerings.

After lunch, I met Dave in the gazebo for my QiGong class. First, we chatted about QiGong, and I learned about the energy centers of the head, heart, and gut. He held a singing bowl in one hand and softly tapped it with a mallet to create a beautiful vibration, while setting intentions for our time together and acknowledging the universe. He showed me different types of breathing and we practiced a variety of movements using the arms, legs, and body. I made a mental note to look into QiGong classes when I returned home.

Next, I headed to Intro to Meditation where my fellow students and I learned about meditation techniques and how to best meditate with tips like avoiding caffeine and alcohol and selecting the right time of day. Our instructor walked us through a few different techniques, such as focusing on your breath and visualizing yourself in a peaceful place. When I tried to visualize my favorite beach, my mind went into vacation planning mode, wondering when I could find the best deal on tickets and when a good time to plan a trip might be. I kept trying to bring my mind back to the meditation, but I wasn’t always successful. I learned that quieting the mind can be a challenge.

That evening, I enjoyed another delicious meal at the community table, where my dining companions and I again shared our day's adventures. We each had our own reasons for being there, but we all shared a connection with the land and energy. We were drawn by the red rock desert’s inescapable pull, and it was empowering to connect with fellow travelers who could relate.

I relaxed for a while and then headed to the evening Sound Bath. I took a spot on a mat and our instructor told us about Himalayan Singing Bowls and then began creating beautiful vibrational sounds. As I lay on my mat, I felt vibrations through my body and began to meditate. After class, I swam a few more laps in the pool and fell into bed to sleep soundly.

In the morning, it was time to begin my long journey home. I felt relaxed, refreshed and inspired after a week among the red rocks, proof that this wellness travel journey provided the calm I was seeking. I was ready to go home and spend more nights, with intention, under the stars, spend a little more time off-screen, make infused water, and learn more about Himalayan singing bowls. And hopefully spot a few more shooting stars.

Additional tips and recommendations for prioritizing self-care and wellness on your Utah trip.