Sedona - 2018
In January 2018, Ric & Kathy visited Sedona, Arizona. We hadn't been here in over 30 years!
January 2
Left Meadview early, and stopped at Rainbow Diner for breakfast. Recommended by our friends Frank and Robyn. Delicious omelettes!
Getting our kicks on Route 66, between Kingman and and Seligman
Giganticus Headicus - who's that?
There he is! On the corner of Route 66 and Antares Road (the dirt road that leads to Pierce Ferry & Meadview.) We met Mr. Headicus one other time and had to stop again!
It was like re-acquainting with an old friend. Look at that smile on his face!
Giganticus' friends Scooter and Herbie
A few miles down the road - the Hackberry General Store
Outside, the place is full of automotive history...
...inside, you can find great stuff like this Route 66 shirt Kathy bought last time we were here
On the road again - this stretch of Route 66 is very pretty
Oak Creek Canyon, just a few miles north of Sedona. This is Slide Rock Park and the Pedley family apple orchard.
The slide at Slide Rock Park. In the summer, it's packed with folks sliding down the river
I imagine the water level is much higher in the summer
Not sure where the "slide" starts. Wouldn't think you'd go over these parts
Such beautiful red stone
Long panorama - the creek does not curve like that
Our AirBnB home. This is a single wide trailer. The hosts live in 2/3 of it, and have put up a wall and built a studio in the other 1/3.
Living, eating & sleeping areas
Our AirBnB sits at the base of Chimey Rock. The Thunder Mountain Trailhead is a block and a half away. There's still daylight, so Ric will hike the 2-mile Lower Chimney Rock Trail
The chimneys. Fascinating rock formations everywhere in Sedona
Zoomed in
The trail was easy and circled a small mountain south of Chimney Rock Mountain
Prickly Pear
A nice afternoon stroll. For dinner, we visit Dellepiane, owned by an Argentinian. The hamburgers are among the best ever!
January 3
The view from Airport Mesa, looking north. On the left: the eastern end of the short Thunder Mt range. To its right is Soldier Pass.
The Thunder Mountain range
We start out on our morning hike - the Baldwin and Templeton trails, out of The Village of Oak Creek, south of Sedona. In the background is Cathedral Rock
Kathy was having a lot of trouble with her knee - she was a real trooper
We broke off Baldwin Trail onto Templeton Trail, which led us to Oak Creek
On the other side of Oak Creek is the Cresent Moon Park and Trail. You can only reach that side from west Sedona. We might do that later this week.
So peaceful
Colorful, even in the winter
Back up Templeton Trail to Baldwin Trail
Kathy will retrace our steps on Baldwin to the car...
...and Ric will take the rest of the Baldwin loop, about 3 miles
The trail cuts through a saddle, with views of Cathedral Rock on the left
Cathedral Rock
A fairly easy hike
There are the cathedrals!
Still ascending, ever so gently
One last view before it is blocked
Met this interesting fella along the way
The trail was like a cactus garden. Prickly pear...
...and ocotillo
The hike is done - one last view of Cathedral Rock
On the way back to Sedona, we stopped at Chapel of the Holy Cross. It was too crowded to park. The view from inside must be spectacular
We headed back up to Airport Mesa for sunset. However, the sky is supposed to be clearer tomorrow so we will try then. Off to dinner at Javelina Cantina.
January 4
Woke up to beautiful blue skies. Our morning hike: Soldier Pass Trail to Devil's Kitchen and the Seven Sacred Pools
The eastern end of the Thunder Mountain Range
Soldier Pass Trail pics
Top of the Seven Sacred Pools
You can almost see all seven pools
The top three
The fifth - water! A guide that stopped by said this pool has been dry only 3 times
We'd love to see this in the Spring!
A bit of reflective color!
One of the many Jeep tours we saw around Sedona made it to the Seven Sacred Pools coming up forest road
Return trip
Devil's Kitchen Sink Hole - the tree in the hole is probably 60 feet tall
Devil's Kitchen Sink Hole & Thunder Mountain
For a nice conclusion to our hike. As we were leaving - wild pigs!
Crescent Moon State Park for lunch and afterward a short hike. The park is along Oak Creek, opposite from Templeton Trail we hiked yesterday.
A Pruvit truck drove into the park! Kathy and Ric both use their product for increased health and to help with diet control. This guy lives in his truck.
Starting our hike - Cathedral Rock through the trees
Cathedral Rock
Cathedral Rock & the Crescent Moon Ranch
Crescent Moon Ranch
Oak Creek
Reflections
Cathedral Rock
Buddha Beach, at the end of the Cresent Moon Trail
View to the east toward Cathedral Rock from Upper Red Rock Loop Rd lookout
Back to Airport Mesa for sunset
The mesa has a small parking lot, so we arrived about 1 1/2 hours early; had plenty of time for shots like this
Coffee Pot Rock, at the east end of Thunder Mountain
At the west end of Thunder Mountain. Our AirBnB, and the Thunder Mountain Trailhead, are at the base of Chimney Rock on the right
Color is starting to change
Reds get reddder
There are those guys again. Getting cooler; ski jackets, on
Some views to the west
Back to Dellepiane for burgers!
January 5
The West Fork Trailhead, about 10 miles north of Sedona. The trail crosses Oak Creek on the bridge then makes its way toward the West Fork
Kathy's knee was hurting, so she went back to the car. Ric took the trail across one of the stream crossings, about 1/2 mile back
The trail starts along Oak Creek before hitting the West Fork of the creek and turning into a narrow canyon
An old encampment at the mouth of the canyon
Chicken coop
Cave home
Up the canyon
The one crossing Ric made
The creek cuts under the red stone, carving beautiful overhangs
Panorama - the creek actuall curves the other way
The second of 13 crossings. Would love to continue, but not this time. Maybe some Fall, when the colors are popping!
Lunch at Sound Bites in Sedona
In the afternoon, Ric heads out for one final hike
The Thunder Mt-Upper Chimney-Lower Chimney loop. A bit steeper than the other hikes, but still pretty moderate
These bristlecone pines will grow anywhere
Looking east into Sedona
The chimney
Ascended close to the base of the chimney
West and north of Sedona
Back down the other side of Chimney Rock
We loved our visit, Sedona! We'll be back sometime for the Fall color show!