34°51′36″N 111°47′21″W – Sedona is located in Arizona’s High Desert just below the rim of the Colorado plateau. It’s a bustling tourist town that has its fair share of shopping and is also known for its arts and culture community. The areas just outside of Sedona are popular for shooting movies and commercials. Sedona is also home to several politicians, movie stars and retirees. With high temperatures averaging in the 70s annually, Sedona is known primarily for its draw for outdoor adventure seekers and hikers. Jeep tours and guided spiritual vortex experiences top the list of things to do.
Discovering ancient Indian ruins, hiking to Cathedral Rock and a hike to Chicken Point will be our destinations in Sedona.
To beat the crowds at a popular hiking spot, we’re starting off with an early morning hike to Devil’s Bridge. Devil’s Bridge is located just outside town about 3 miles toward the town of Cottonwood. Dry Creek road leads you to Forest Road 152 which is a rough dirt road, so a vehicle with high clearance or slow driving is recommended. Stay on the dirt road for 1.3 miles until you reach the parking area on your right.
Devil’s Bridge is the largest natural stone arch in the area. Reaching the arch is a fairly steep 1 mile trek one way with some moderate climbs toward the top. The trail will split ¾ of a mile into the hike. One trail leads to the top of the arch, the other goes below the towering structure. If you decide to take the high road, there are no guard rails to keep you from going over the edge. The terrain can sometimes be loose which can make it easy to lose your footing. If you’re afraid of heights, the low road beneath the bridge still offers some awesome views.
Devil’s Bridge is typically a heavily hiked area, but definitely worth the effort to visit. Getting a start near sunrise will ensure you of a much quieter experience before the crowds start pouring in.
We headed further down the road to Forest Road 525 to visit the Honanki Indian Ruins. Again, you’ll be driving on some rough unpaved terrain, so please make sure you have reliable transportation with high clearance. Ancestors of the Hopi, the Sinagua indians lived at these particular ruin sites from around 1100AD until 1300AD. Cliff dwellings and rock art remain a visible part of their habitats today. The site was named Honanki, which means “Bear House” in the Hopi language. Honanki was the largest prehistoric pueblos in the Verde Valley area.
The ruins are not managed by the US Park Service, so you are free to move around the ruins site without being guided. The hike around the ruins site is about ¾ miles along a looped path. The ruins site is easily accessible and is open 7 days a week and is only closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Next we headed to hike Cathedral Rock for an early morning hike. Like the other hikes, this one is located just outside of town. The trail head is located 3 miles south of Sedona on Back O’Beyond Road, which is off route 179. Cathedral Rock is steep and somewhat challenging but is only less than a mile to the top for the best views of the Sedona area. You get an awesome 360 degree view of red rock country and Verde Valley. It’s important to bring sturdy shoes and plenty of water because the first portion of the hike is in complete sun if you start the hike midday. The trail eventually leads into the saddles or gaps of Cathedral Rock. The towering rocks keep this area of the hike shaded offering a great break from the sun. Cathedral rock offers great panoramic views of the surrounding Sedona area. With some effort and a slow pace, it’s a truly rewarding experience when you reach the summit.
Next, we hiked Little Horse Trail which gave us access to Chicken Point. Little Horse Trail is located off highway 179 just outside of Sedona. A paved parking area marks the trail head. The hike to Chicken Point is 2.2 miles to the vista. Our hike back continued on Little Horse Trail and took the trail split to Chapel of the Holy Cross for a change in scenery.
Sedona Arizona is a remarkable place. You can really find solitude even in some of the area’s most popular spots if you choose the right season and time of day. Getting an earlier start is always a good rule of thumb. Be sure to pack lots of water. Even in cooler temperatures, lack of shade and plenty of sun can zap the water right out of you. While Jeep tours and adventure companies can be a fun aspect of your trip, don’t limit yourself to guided tours. You can find your own mini-adventures just by pulling off the road and embarking on a hike of your own.
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Sedona Arizona Photos
