Introduction:
What? :
The Subway Cave
is considered to be one of the most popular “Instagram” locations in Sedona,
and there is good reason for that, unique cave opening reminding Subway or a huge
imaginary keyhole.
The hike is not
too long or difficult and you will be visiting the nice and photogenic Subway
Cave.
This is a 4.75-mile-long
hike with almost no climbing (except the cave itself) and it took me 2 hours.
When there are
many people climbing the cave and waiting in line to take their picture plan
for at least 30 min at the cave.
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Where? :
The parking lot
for this hike is located on Boynton Canyon Road, near the intersection with
Boynton Pass Road. This small parking lot can hold about 25 and it get filled
early in the morning.
Overflow
parking is located on the sideroad of Boynton Pass Road, west of the
intersection with Boynton Canyon Road. You need to park out of the road and
still need to display on your window a Red Rock Pass in your vehicle. From here
you need to walk to the trailhead.
Google Map Link
When? :
Year round
The best time is
spring and late fall when the weather is the best.
On summer day,
when it can be VERY hot, you must start as early as you can, most of the pass
section of the trail is exposed to sun, come prepared.
At Winter month
it can get cold and rainy and even days that the trail is covered with snow.
In hot summer
day I do recommend starting your hike early, in the morning the trail has shad
and it a lot less hot + you may avoid the crowd.
Due note 1: As in most of
Sedona hiking and trailhead parking lots you need to display on your dashboard Red
Rock Pass (there is a ticket machines in the parking lot that accept credit) or
by presenting America the Great pass.
Due note 2: There is a pay
machine and toilet in the parking lot.
Due note 3: The parking is
getting full early in the morning, try to come before 8am.
Due note 4: If you want to
be the only one in the cave, try to start your hike at sunrise, there where literally
hundreds of people going up the trail to the Subway cave when I was walking
back to my car.
Due note 5: The climb into
the cave may be challenging for some but if you will walk slow and get help
almost anyone can do this.
My thoughts:
This is a relatively
easy hike without a lot of climbing and the cave view is indeed unique and
photogenic.
I was glad that
I started my hike early in the morning so I can enjoy the cave, on my hike back
I saw many people hiking to the cave.
The visit:
It was a long
weekend when I visit Sedona and there where many visitors in town. I decided to
be here as early as I can and try to beat the crowd.
I took few early
morning (sunrise) pictures of Cathedral Rock and drove to the trailhead.
When I was here
at 6:45 the parking lot was half full so I manage to find parking, I saw more
cars getting in so you need to be here around 7am if you want to park near the
trailhead.
I set my America
the Beautiful cart to the car window and start my hike.
It was clear
cold April day, not freezing, and I expected it get warmer soon.
You start your
hike in the forest heading the direction of Boynton Canyon. After short walk
you can see the side trail to Boynton Pass Vortex and Boynton Vista, I did not have
the time to visit there.
In the first section of the hike, you need to pass the large Enchantment Resort complex.
The
trail climb to the right side of the creek and once it passes the resort it is returning
back down to the creek level, this will be 1.3 mile from the trailhead.
Keep walking on
the clear trail that is now following the creek.
After exactly
1.9 mile from the trail head, you will see a clear and wide entrance to a side
trail on your right.
I do not know
why but there is no sign marking the trail to the cave.
Another
indication that you arrive to the turn-out is that you can find on the left
side of the main trail a large tree that mark the trail junction.
When I was here
there was a large arrow made of woods pointing right.
From the trail
junction it is about 0.4 miles, one-way, to get to the base of the Subway Cave.
Start to hike
the narrow side trail and you will get into a dense forest of trees and shrubs.
At some point
the trail is taking strong right turn, if you are hiking straight, you will
pass a small creek, turn right. At this point you need to pass below the fallen
tree branch and turn right.
Soon after this
turn you will reach the base of the cliff; a good indication you are in the
right path will be small sign indicating historic site with ancient ruins.
From here short
and easy climb will bring you to the cave base.
Here you have 2
options:
1. Walk up the cave opening rocky sloop directly into the cave.
It looks challenging but the grip by
the red sandstone help to scramble up and climb this short section.
2. Turn to the left and climb through the trees to the cave level, this is a short climb.
Here you need to turn
right on the rock ledge to the cave. This is not very high ledge but a fall
from here is not fun.
The rock ledge
getting narrow as you progress, at the point you need to pass the corner and get
into the cave it is relatively narrow so walk slowly.
I was here
early in the morning and there were only 2 other people in the cave, once they left,
I had the cave to myself, so I manage to take pictures without people.
Before leaving
another 2 people got into the cave so this was excellent timing.
On my way back I
so many people going up the trail so if you are not here early you will have
many other in the cave and taking pictures will consume a lot of time, waiting
in line for classical “Instagram” picture.
You exit the
cave over the ledge to the right (from within the cave), be careful at the
corner where the ledge is narrow and there is high drop-off cliff.
After this
section the ledge get wider and soon you can see the small stone wall Indian
ruins in the cove.
From here you
need to take the trail climbing down to the point below the cave entrance.
From this point
you need to walk back the same trail you came in; this will be 2.4 mile all the
way to the parking lot.
The relatively easy
5 miles out and back, and the view of the cave, making this trail as one of the
popular and rewording hikes in Sedona area.
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