Many who visit the Shrine of St. Joseph of the Mountains believe they're standing upon the scene of a miracle. Surrounded by the Yarnell wildfire in 2013 in which 19 firefighters lost their lives, the Shrine of St. Joseph survived -- but not unscathed. The fire appears to have stopped at wooden crosses that line the path along the shrine's winding hillside trail.
The shrine lies along Highway 89 halfway between Prescott and Wickenburg. Take Shrine Road west off the highway and you'll see the shrine on the left. A parking area at the base of the hill sets you on the trail at a statue of St. Joseph carrying a young Jesus in his arms. The trail is uphill, with steps hewn out of the granite boulders. The route winds past life-size concrete statues of Jesus during the last hours of his life, crucifixion and burial. Wooden crosses depict the 14 stations of the cross along the way. You'll find a seating area at each feature to meditate, pray or enjoy the view. The trail culminates at a bronze sculpture depicting a resurrected Jesus.
