I took a week-long trip to visit my good friend Diego who lives out there. He showed me around, recommended some awesome day hikes, I caught some epic sunsets, and even managed to intercept an AT buddy who was thru-hiking the Arizona Trail.
Airport Loop Trail, 2.2 miles.
Diego lives just down the street from the Bandit Trail which links up to the loop trail atop Airport Mesa. We went up hoping to catch sunset, but soon after getting to the viewpoint of Cathedral Rock, it started to rain.
Boynton Canyon + The Subway Cave, 10.3 miles.
The Boynton Canyon Trail stays in the valley floor and below the trees before treating you to one nice view at the end. Instead of doubling back down the trail we decided to do some route finding along a ledge in the canyon wall. Then we took the spur trail to the Subway Cave.
The Hangover Trail, 8.5 miles.
Diego had to work this day so I borrowed his bike and rode 1.5 miles to the trailhead. This loop had some spectacular views and I went off-trail for a bit to scramble up some mesas. I also took a lunch break to watch some rock climbers scurry up “Queen Victoria” When I got to the 4x4 road, I was beat, and had an uphill bike ride to get home, so I hitchhiked down the final two miles to the trailhead in a Jeep with a couple who was from Maryland.
Airport Mesa for sunset, 1.2 miles.
I first drove to the Airport Overlook which was slam-packed with at least 100 people. I didn’t come to Sedona for the crowds, so I went back to the Bandit Trail and ran up to the view point. This time the weather cooperated and I caught a brilliant sunset. I wish I had my real camera for this!
The Arizona Trail, 20.6 miles.
My good friend White (IG @mountain_brew) was the only NOBO Hiker attempting the AZT in the fall and he just so happened to be passing the section close to Sedona while I was in town. So Diego dropped me off at ??? and White and I crushed 20 miles over a day and a half. I then attempted to hitchhike back to Sedona from Flagstaff but had no luck for three hours so I took a $50 Uber ride.
BELL ROCK
And on my final day in Sedona, I climbed up to the top of Bell Rock, one of the most famous spires in town! I tried to outline the route to take to get to the summit, but be warned:
PEOPLE GET STUCK ALL THE TIME! So do not attempt if you’re not an intermediate climber.