PHOTOS: Hiking Sedona's energy vortex

View of the Kachina Woman rock formation from Mii amo in Sedona.

Many people who visit Sedona say they often experience an energetic force. The belief is that the vortexes in Sedona are where energy lines come together to create a place of power that helps one to see things a little more clearly, or gain perspective on something they've been seeking.

Mii amo sits in Boynton Canyon, the largest vortex in Sedona, and the people who visit here - and many who live here - take energetic qualities seriously. While you're here you might learn about different spiritual signs driven by the energy of the vortex, many of which come in form of colors and shapes, that are said to help guide you on a healthier path. It's that thinking that makes my journey to the top of the vortex at Boynton Canyon so typical of a city-dweller's mentality.

Three of us started our hike from the back door of Mii amo toward the Kachina Woman rock formation. One of the girls in our group had hiked this path half a dozen times before and was well-versed in the spiritual side of Sedona, as well as the various vortex energies that are present in Sedona. As we arrived the top of the vortex, and sat on the base of the Kachina Woman, our "guide" made a triangle with her fingers, pointed it at the sun, and spent a few minutes staring ahead. When asked what she was doing she explained that Native American's believe that by creating your own "vortex" around the sun and stating your intentions, you'll find peace for those intentions. And so, we all made triangles, stared at the sun and stated our intentions at the base of the Kachina Woman. A few minutes later, and clearly affected by the state of the energy fields, she announced that the vortex was very strong today. Apparently, she was seeing gold and yellow spots in the distance (for those who do believe, gold colors are a strong signal of energy for your third eye). Hearing this, I quickly chimed in with what I assumed was the helpful response...