The stone figure has gone by many a name over the centuries. In the past, it has been called a chief, the Man of the Mountain, and now the praying Monk. He resides on Camelback. The notorious mountain that I now climb so very often. You can view him on the Echo Canyon summit trail. And this is only the beginning of the trail. The picture is deceiving as one is only getting a glimpse of the stepping stone to the summit. The rest of the mountain is behind and off to the right.It is hot now. And to hike Camelback sanely, one has to do it in the wee hours of the morning (like before 8am). People are already getting there at 5am, I am sure as the dawn and light comes that early now. I am still getting there about 6:30 and the parking lot is piling up with cars as people head to the mountain. And with the temperatures rising well over 90s and now into the 100s, I am going to follow suit and do a local custom. Bring a jug of water and soak/drench my clothes. And by the time I get to the summit, the clothes will be dry! It is the only way to keep hiking and staying cool during the insane temperatures of the desert summer.
The Stone Monk
The Praying Monk has
turned to stone.
Kneeling forever-dark-alone
Upon the mountain side
His offered prayers-
Our prayers and his
for centuries
Rise upward toward the Cosmic Tide,
While he prays alone.
~Sanger-Stewart
