Often described as the most beautiful town in America, Sedona is also a wonderful place to play. Cheryl will lead this trip - after 16 years in Sedona, she knows all the best places. With the outdoors right at our doorstep, we’ll hike the trails affording the most spectacular views at the most advantageous time of day. Our week will include a collection of easy and moderate hikes and a massage to pamper any overworked muscles. We’ll visit Sedona’s vortexes and learn an appreciation of what they’re all about. Our jeep trip across the red rocks is great fun – you won’t believe how they climb. The Indian ruins we explore are well preserved and provide us with a fascinating peek into an ancient culture. There aren’t many small towns that have such a vast collection of good restaurants and we’ll take full advantage! While still an active trip, this is more relaxed and a little shorter than most Canyon Calling schedules – there’s even time for shopping!
Monday
Meet at 3pm in Sedona at the shuttle drop-off point (Super 8) and check into cozy White House Inn. Our introductory hike to Devils Bridge (2 miles) is the largest of the natural arches around Sedona. Walk out on the arch if you’re brave enough! Your Guide will teach you the geology of these beautiful formations. Watch the sun set on Airport Vortex and see if you can feel the energy that Sedona is famous for. Dine tonight at the home of Canyon Calling’s founder.
Tuesday
Oak Creek Canyon is considered one of the top ten drives in America. This morning, we’ll explore this canyon and learn of the pioneers who made this their home with stops at Slide Rock State Park and a hike on West Fork Trail. You’ll be amazed at all the fauna changes in this transition zone. We’ll lunch at Sedona Memories, the best sandwich shop in Sedona, before our jeep trip on the legendary Broken Arrow Trail. Who knew jeeps could climb rocks like this! There’ll be time for exploring all the great shops before our dinner at local favorite, Heartline Café.
Wednesday
Breakfast at Coffee Pot restaurant, founded by actress Jane Russell. Drive to Palatki Indian ruins and hike to well-preserved homes of Sinagua from 1200AD. We’ll also walk the rock art trail seeing petroglyphs and pictographs from ancient ones through to the modern Yavapai. Hike up to Doe Mesa and enjoy a picnic lunch on the rim – what a view! This afternoon we’ll drive 20 miles south to the village of Jerome, formally the largest copper mine in Arizona and the wickedest town in the west! Today it’s an enchanting artistic community and a fun place to wander and shop. Dine at Wild Flower Restaurant with great views of Snoopy Rock.
Thursday
The Chapel of the Holy Cross is an amazing blend of sculpture and architecture sprouting right out of the red rocks. The serenity inside this church is as splendid as the views from outside. Our hike up Cathedral Rock is a trip highlight. It’s a short, steep climb that can be both daunting and thrilling - we’ll take our time! This is a major vortex and rocks are perfectly placed for meditation. The views from the saddle are extraordinary and there’s plenty of time to soak it all in. We’ll circle one of the spires on our way back down and likely hear coyotes call. We’ll lunch in the Village of Oak Creek where wagon train scenes were shot in cowboy movies in the 50’s. We’ll take a short walk on Bell Rock, Sedona’s most famous landmark, and another vortex. After all this hiking, your body deserves a treat so massages are arranged for this afternoon. We’ll dine this evening at the Javalina Cantina.
Friday
After a sleep-in and lazy breakfast, we’ll hike down the Old Post Trail to Red Rock Crossing where the best photos of Cathedral Rock are taken. There’s time to relax and sun ourselves on the red rocks and listen to the creek. We’ll lunch at Pizza Picasso, another local favorite. There’s another hour to explore the wonderful shops uptown. Then we’ll drive up Schnebly Hill and hike on Merry-Go-Round Rock enjoying the views above Sedona as the afternoon light conjures up super photo opportunities. We’ll say farewell to this special week with a dinner at world famous Enchantment Resort. The sun going down on the red rocks will stay with you forever.
NOTES:
How do I get to Sedona?
Arrange your flight into Phoenix in time to catch the noon shuttle van. It takes 2.5 hours to drive to Sedona where your Trip Leader will meet you at the Super 8 drop-off. Arrange your homebound flight after 12 noon on the following Saturday. You need to make shuttle reservations (928) 282-2066. The round trip fare is $90 which you can either pay for in advance or bring cash to pay in Phoenix.
