I drove up to Flagstaff from Phoenix and met a friend at the Elden Lookout Trail at 8:30 AM. The peak was visible from the highway because it's covered with microwave towers, and the peak is close to the road, only 2.5 miles away. That meant that it's a very steep hike. It was full of tight switchbacks, though. It was cool and a little overcast in the parking lot as we set out. After we crossed over Fatman's Loop trail, along the bottom of the mountain. the hike became a steep climb for the next 1.5 miles, even with the added switchbacks.  The relief came in the groves of Ponderosa pines, which also scented the air, and further up the mountain, groves of aspens, which shimmered in the Sun. The wind also picked up the higher we climbed. My friend, who went to college in Flagstaff, said that the area is always windy. Today, it cooled us off. We talked about the concept of “forest bathing”, allowing your body to be ‘bathed' in the healing and calming environment of a forest, absorbing the shade, scents and fresh air. It felt very restorative after an hour of climbing. Pause to a while and enjoy the benefits! We encountered a little rain in the clouds just below the summit, and when we arrived at the fire tower, the Sun was back, illuminating the 360 degree panorama of mountains around us.  A great day!