Introduction:
Where?
: Northern part of Arizona where hwy 179 end at 89A, 1 hr drive south of Flagstaff.
Google Map Link
What? :
A major tourist attraction town, it has it all both for the hot summer days and
also for winter visit. Surrounded by the amazing red-rock mountain landscape it
offers excellent hiking, biking and off-road driving adventures and also art galleries
and spiritual centers.
When? :
Year round although summer can be very hot. Expect snow storms during winters.
Due
note 1: My recommendations is to plan this visit at list for 3 days so you can
enjoy what this town has to offer. Unfortunately, last trip we visit here we had
only one and a half day here + we got hit by major snowstorm, so we did not visit
all what we planned.
Due note
2: You can combine this visit with your Grand Canyon trip.
My thoughts: A must visit place even if it is for one day only. The view and the landscape
is unique even if you do not have time for a hike.
The
visit:
Sedona
is known for its many and different types of tourist attractions:
1. Art community: galleries, boutiques, art stores and spiritual centers.
2. Hikes: There
are more than 200 hikes options, different level of difficulties, all are in
the surrounding wonderful red-rock formation.
3. Many
rent/guided off-road drive options: Jeep, ATV, and more.
4. Mountain-bike
rides: Sedona is one of the best mountain biking destinations in Arizona, make
sure to find a good map in local bike store.
When coming
from the Grand Canyon on hwy 89A going south:
Oak
Creek Vista: just before the road start to go down sharply into the canyon you
can find a nice vista point over the deep Oak Creek Canyon below.
Midgley
Bridge Picnic Area: a short stopping point on the way with a nice arch bridge
over the running river below.
Uptown
Sedona:
This is
the old center of Sedona where you can find many of the famous tourist attractions
like art galleries, boutiques, stores and many dining places. You may find it
difficult to find a parking place, especially at weekends.
Sedona
Airport Scenic Lookout:
One of
the most beautiful viewing points in Sedona, the parking is right by the viewpoint
so no hike. This Mesa is a tabletop mountain looking out over the entire area,
the airport, Lodge Resort and a nice restaurant are at the end of the road.
From this
high point you see the new Sedona and all the mountain surrounding the valley.
Very nice
at sunset or early sunrise.
There is
another viewing point located on the middle of the road going up, you will see
a small parking place on your left and a short hike will take you to the
viewpoint.
Cathedral
Rock:
Probably
the best hike in Sedona, some climbing involved (no need for ropes) but the amazing
view from the ridge top, right in the middle of the Cathedral rock formation, is
rewording.
People
say this is one of the nature earth energy Vortexes locations, not sure I felt the
Vortexes, but it was definitely excellent hike with an amazing view.
Start
at Cathedral Rock Trailhead on Back O Beyond Rd., this is a small parking lot
so better be early morning or at late afternoon.
The short
half mile trail is going down and cross the small river and then climb up the
east side of Cathedral Rock. Some sections are quite steep and need hand
holding but if you take this short section slow it is not difficult.
After additional
uphill climb you will reach the end of the trail, a rock ledge between the
mountains. There is a short trail extension following the narrow ledge on the
right side, it will take you to cliff-adage lookout point, be careful when
walking this short trail, falling from here is not recommended 😊.
The
most “classic” remote view of Cathedral Rock is from the valley below at Red
Rock Crossing Park, at the Crescent Moon Picnic Site.
Broken
Arrow Trail:
This is
one of the most recommended hikes to do near Sedona, overall 3.5 miles in and
out.
Be
aware of the 4x4 trail for jeep, you can be annoyed by the noise done by the 4x4
rides that are doing the adventure drive near your hike.
The hike
starts at the end of Morgan road, where you can find a small parking lot, from
this place the 4x4 starts.
Follow the
hiking trail that is going south, this hike follows a nice canyon where the red
rock mountain peaks are watching from all sides.
Eventually
the Broken Arrow Trail will lead you to an opening in the rocks with nice viewpoint
to the valley below, this placed called Chicken Point Overlook. From here you
will hike back to your car or continue for longer hikes.
There are
few others connected hiking trails that are crossing the small mountains to their
other side and even options to create a longer loop trails, but we did not had
time to explore this option.
Yavapai
Vista Point:
A recommended
Vista Point to stop when you are driving south on hwy 179.
Nice view
of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte and the mountain range to the east.
Chapel
of the Holy Cross:
One of
the most impressive architectural sites in Sedona. You can see it from viewing
points near the road or get all the way and see it up close.
Bell
Rock:
This
bell-shaped formation is just south of Sedona, along the Red Rock Scenic Byway
(hwy 179), is one of the first notable red-rock formation you will see on your
right when approaching Sedona from the south.
Easily
accessible just off the road, this is a popular stop for tourists.
Other recommended
places near Sedona I did not visit yet:
· West Fork Trail: one of the recommended
hikes options inside deep canyon
· Slide Rock State Park: recommended at
summertime for called water swimming in the natural pools.
· Grasshopper Point Swimming &
Picnic Area: recommended at summertime.
· Schnebly Hill Vista Observation
Site, Merry-go-round Rock, Schnebly Hill Vista Overlook: off-road drive that
will take you to high viewing points, hiking trails and other nature attractions.
· Devil's Bridge rock: A nice recommended
hike, it is 4 miles round trip and you will find rewording red-rock natural
bridge at the top. This hike is very popular and small parking lot so try to
come as early as you can.
· Soldier Pass Trailhead: you can
find here few interesting places like: Seven Sacred Pools, Devil's Kitchen, Soldier's
Arch and Soldier Pass.
· Palatki Heritage Site: well-preserved
ruin and one of the largest Sinagua villages in the area.
· Boynton Canyon hiking trail: remote
place to explore, offer longer hike options.
· Crescent Moon Picnic Site: Come and
enjoy the creek on a hot day, one of the iconic photographing points of the Cathedral
Rock.
· Red Rock State Park: A small state
park, not sure it is a must visit place.
Additional
Pictures:
Comments
Post a Comment