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When I think of Sedona, I think of the beautiful, tall red rocks that just grab your attention as you drive in from the south. I will be in Sedona in a few weeks and I was wondering what the best sunset hike would be. Something not more than 4 miles. Something that would give us a kick-butt view of the reds and the oranges and purples of this amazing area. Any suggestions?

Also, I'm looking for suggestions on other hikes too but I'd really like to start off the trip with a really great sunset hike.

Best,
Patricia

Cathedral Rock is in the middle of it all
http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=28026
Doe Mountain might be a good one too as I think you want to be south away from the rim.

Timing is key. The best sunset hikes are in July when the puffy clouds break off the rim during monsoon season. Actually June may be the best as the clouds build up without storming.

I think Bell Rock/Courthouse Butte are sweet at sunset. I've only seen them from the road, but that would be a great sunset hike as well!

joe bartels wrote:Cathedral Rock is in the middle of it all
http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=28026
Doe Mountain might be a good one too as I think you want to be south away from the rim.

Timing is key. The best sunset hikes are in July when the puffy clouds break off the rim during monsoon season. Actually June may be the best as the clouds build up without storming.

Well, best is relative. I think sunsets are best with pollution to give a nice deep red hue to the sun. I'd pick a nice day with a fire to the west to watch a sunset through the smoke of a fire. If its really clear otherwise it can be neat to watch the sky change color as the sun goes down. Sunsets in winter with clear dry skies aren't as nice to me as a sunset with filthy,moderately humid skies. Not too much humidity or filth, though, as that can obscure the sun before it crosses the horizon.

Filth! Filth! Filth!

The following post contains technical data which you probably didn't intend when you asked the question. Sorry!

The date makes a big difference on where on the horizon the sun sets (and subsequently what mountains or other obstacles may obscure the view of the sun setting from any given trail or point).

On the spring and autumn equinoxes, (on or about March 21 and September 21) the sun will set due west, that's 270° on your compass. During the winter solstice (about December 21) the sun sets toward the southwest, at 246.5°, and during the summer solstice (about June 21) it sets toward the northwest, at 293.5°. That's a range of more than 45° of the western horizon.

Right now, in the end of October, the sun will set about 13 or 14 degrees south of due west (256°), so keep that in mind.

As for the actual color of sunset, I agree that haze and humidity help a great deal, along with pollutants such as smoke or smog. But I also like the effect of very high thin clouds too.