Apparently the Nephites intercepted the Amlicites before they reached the city of Zarahemla because there is no mention made of the city. The Amlicites then fled “towards the wilderness which was west and north, away beyond the borders of the land” (Alma 2:36-37). In relating these directional terms we must conclude that either the wilderness was “north and west” of where the Amlicites were located (on the west bank of the Sidon just short of the city of Zarahemla), or the wilderness was “north and west” of the city of Zarahemla. Whatever the case it would seem to make little difference. Although no mention is made of the distance involved, it might have been within a full day’s journey from Minon (but perhaps longer). Whatever the distance, one might wonder why the Amlicites and Lamanites would flee “west and north” in the first place? How did this fit into their plans to reach safety, or return to their own homelands?
According to John Sorenson, the Lamanites might have wanted to head back to the land of Nephi, but veered west to gain the cover of “wilderness” before circling fully southward toward their homelands. However, if the Amlicites were originally coming from the area of Ammonihah like some have proposed, then the Amlicites would have fled north towards their homeland through the wilderness. [John L. Sorenson, The Geography of Book of Mormon Event: A Source Book, p. 232]
Note* We might find some perspective to this “wilderness which was west and north” in the geographic descriptions of Lamanite and Nephite lands found in Alma 22:27-34. Verse 29 says that “the Nephites had taken possession of all the northern parts of the land bordering on the wilderness, at the head of the river Sidon, from the east to the west, round about on the wilderness side; on the north, even until they came to the land which they called Bountiful.” If we interpret this verse correctly, it might be speaking about the same wilderness area mentioned in Alma 2:36. This wilderness “on the west and on the north” (v. 36) might have gone “round about” from the wilderness at the head of the river Sidon (the narrow strip of wilderness) towards the “north, even till it came to the land Bountiful” (v. 29). [Alan C. Miner, Personal Notes] [See the commentary and illustrations for Alma 22:28-29] [See Geographical Theory Maps]
Alma 2:35 - 3-3 Fig.3-9 [Wilderness] of Tehuantepec
Geographical [Theory Map]: Alma 2:37 Lamanites & Amlicites Are Scattered to the West and North (5th Year)