A Slippery Good Time

In an almost soothing way, water trickles down a stream several feet wide. In both directions, the stream winds in random patterns, preventing any sight around the bends. The rocks at the edge of the water are uncomfortably warm, while the stream itself is ice cold. The area demands exploration, and the energetic swimmers jumping of the looming cliff-face helps fuel the fun. This is Slide Rock, a state park near Sedona, Arizona.

                Slide Rock State Park was originally known as Pendley Homestead, named after Frank L. Pendley who acquired the land under the Homestead Act of 1910. Due to his farming skill, he was able to create an irrigation system that is still used in the park to this day. With this system, Pendley planted an apple orchard in 1912. Since then, the park has been focused on agriculture. The park itself is named after Slide Rock, a creek next to the homestead known for being slippery. Arizona State Parks officially purchased the property from the Arizona parklands Foundation on July 10^th, 1985. The site is also important due to how it helped the development of the tourism industry in Oak Creek Canyon. The completion of the canyon road in 1914 and the paving of the roadway in 1938 helped increase traffic in the canyon. Seeing this, Pendley followed suit and built cabins for tourists in 1933. Since then, it’s been a popular tourist attraction. The area has even been used for movie scenes when it was first opened. These include "Broken Arrow" (1950) with James Stewart, "Drum Beat" (1954) with Alan Ladd and Charles Bronson, "Gun Fury" (1953) with Rock Hudson and Donna Reed, and a scene from "Angel and the Badman" (1946) with John Wayne. Admission to the park during any non-summer season is $10, and current park hours are 8 am to 5 pm.

                I have been to this wonderful place more times than I can count, and each time, I leave with the same fatigue and satisfaction that I have come to associate with the awesomeness that is Slide Rock. Even though it was originally an apple orchard, the park is known for the slippery creek that runs through the canyon. Located right next to the park itself, the creek is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the parking area, down a fairly steep slope of stairs. Once you traverse the steps, you end up in an area about halfway down the entire creek. The creek could, essentially, be divided into three separate sections. Closer to the canyon, the cliff-side is higher and the water is deeper. This area is a popular spot for people to jump off of, into the water below.  The water then gets a bit more shallow, and the cliffs less step. This area is perfect for hiking along the canyon above, or just exploring the overall area. The final area is the shallowest of all.

When I was about 14, the water level only reached to my knees. This areas is essentially the wading pool, and attracts the most tourists, it is surrounded by a large area of rock where beach towels and blankets can be laid out for relaxation. A peculiar part about this area of Slide Rock is the varying temperature of both the water and the flat stone section that people use for lounging. The stream itself is known for being bones-chilling cold. Any part of the body submerged in it becomes numb within minutes. In comparison, the rocky are on the side of the stream becomes almost uncomfortably hot during the summer. It is near-impossible to sit on without laying down a blanket or towel. The contrast and minor discomfort actually make things more fun in a strange way.

                Although it is primarily popular because of the swimming spots that are available, Slide Rock Park also offers other activities, similar to other parks. Just adjacent to the swim area, there is a cliff-top nature trail that is about a half a mile long. The trail head is right next to a fruit packing barn that was in use back when the focus of the park was agriculture. The barn marks the end of the Pendley Homestead Trail, the central road of the park that stretches from end to end. North of the trail sit the original apple orchards. To the south, a large collection of antique farm tools are on display, a throwback to how things were done last century. The original tourist cabins are also still standing, a classical alluring sight to anyone that walks past them. A modern market and volleyball court were recently added to increase both revenue and entertainment.

Slide Rock is one of my all-time favorite places to go with my family. We’ve been there a total of 4 times, but the place never gets old. When family or friends come from out of state, it’s the first place we recommend going to. The second time I went was both the most fun and the most painful. I was 16 years old, and my mom’s brother and kids had come down to visit from Illinois. The drive to the park took us nearly 3 hours, each minute filled with anticipation. When we finally arrived, my cousins and I nearly sprinted for the water. I took a step in the frigid stream, immediately slipping and falling directly on my butt. I was nearly in tears when I attempted to stand; the only reason I wasn’t in any true pain was because the water numbed all feeling I had. Afterwards, I laid out on the rocks to recuperate. When I had recovered, I began to hike alongside the water’s edge. I traversed nearly the entire river, eventually stopping when I lost sight of any people. After a small period of catching my breath, I went back to where the rest of my family was, with all of my previous pain forgotten. That day, I left the park feeling both proud and excited to return. I have that same feeling every time I go. Slide Rock never gets old, and it’s just an overall fun place to be.