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| Hiking | 9.34 Miles |
2,659 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.34 Miles | 6 Hrs 40 Mns | | 1.56 mph |
| 2,659 ft AEG | 40 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | My first time up this trail. Hard to believe I have never done this one.
Knowing that parking is limited at Midgely Bridge, we arrived about 630am and got the last spot.
The weather was nice on the way up. The trail starts with a series of switchbacks and then moves along below the saddle area. After a mile or so, the next set of switchbacks starts, and the elevation gains really start kicking in. The top of the mountain (bluff?) is ever present looming what seems like far in the distance, but with each switchback it gets a little closer.
The views on the way up are really nice. Steamboat Rock and the outcrops above it were looking so beautiful in the early morning light.
Once you make it up the first little saddle, you can see there’s a little more climbing up to accomplish. After another series of switchbacks, we finally made it to the junction giving up the option of going across the mesa to the north viewpoint or to the left going up to the top of the mountain and the view to the south. We opted for the southern view area and started the last little climb.
We made it to the end of the cliff and the views did not disappoint. Most of the eastern and southern parts of the red rocks are visible. It was a little hazy, so the views were less than stellar for photos, but amazing to behold.
We took a little break up top and had some snacks and hydrated. Then it was the long slog back down.
We came across 3-4 groups going up and about the same going down. We just missed a snake according to one fellow we passed on the way down. We did get to see a really beautiful collared lizard. Lots of
flowers are still blooming. That was a treat.
The last mile was starting to hit home with my bad hip, but we did ok. The clouds blocked the sun enough to make the warmer temps bearable. We made it back to a zoo at the parking area. Loaded with touristas milling about.
This was a really nice hike. One I will gladly do again. Next time, I will keep hiking down as far as possible to get some different views. One of my new favorites in Sedona. |
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"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."
instagram: @andydilling |
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