Cookstove Hike

On Friday, we hiked up the Harding Springs trail in Sedona. We camped on top of the ridge and then hiked down the Cookstove Trail.

Harding Spring is named for O.P. Harding, a pioneer. He came to Flagstaff in 1884 and worked in construction. In 1889 he moved to Oak Creek, homesteaded, and planted hundreds of fruit trees. He brought his fruit to Flagstaff using this trail. In 1910 the Flagstaff newspaper reported that Harding, age 76, had walked from Oak Creek to Flagstaff. At his death in 1915, it was learned that he had been a distinguished Union General in the Civil War, a face he kept hidden during his life in Arizona.

We saw lots of scat from black bears during our hike, but never saw a bear. After our hike, the boys played in Oak Creek for several hours. Everyone had a fantastic time.