The Best Hikes in Sedona

 After hanging out all day at Slide Rock and some local businesses, we decided to visit the caves. There was one parking spot available (out of five). Perfect weather. Nobody else was in the caves, as the occupants of the other vehicles were all down at the creek, so we hung out in the caves for a while, then went down to the creek, which was very peaceful, with only the sounds of the birds and the horse across the way. Then we climbed back up and headed out. Nice way to finish the day.

 Hangover hike with the Harem! I usually drive up Schnebly Hill road to Cow Pies trailhead, but the road condition was so bad, that we about 2 miles past the end of the pavement and jumped on Munds there to do the loop. Nice not having to hike all the way back to Cow Pies at the end. Lots of hikers out this morning, no bikers on the trails. Sun was super hot by lunch time. Gas prices were $3.75 in Oak Creek, incredible!

 I took the day off work to spend with my wife on our 32nd anniversary. We ended up heading to Sedona for a short hike on the Broken Arrow trail to Chicken Point and back. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. At least for me. I stopped to find a geocache on the way back and my wife continued. I made it back and she wasn't there. That was a bit disconcerting; who wants to lose his bride on their anniversary? There were a fair number of mountain bikers on the trail. I don't think I'd want to walk it on the weekend.

 Starting from Sedona's Baldwin trailhead, I hiked east to the Templeton trail along Cathedral Rock. The trail to the top reminded me of old pictures of the Chilkoot trail with a steady line of hikers. Continuing east I caught the Slim shady trail, then south to the High Line, then back West to the Baldwin trailhead. Total 9 miles per Route Scout. Overall not too busy except for a few crazy mountain bikers.

 Part two of my Monday day-off. Having completed a trip to Boynton Cyn, I was still feeling the draw of the red rocks, so I picked an easy looking trail with a couple of geocaches to get my geocache fix for April. Got to the top pretty quickly and proceeded to try to walk the top counterclockwise. I lost the trail pretty quickly... picked up another... then another, and ended up blocked by manzanitas. I decided to just hit the geocaches, which I did and that made up for my earlier random wandering around on top of the mountain.

 Took a rare Monday off from work to get in my Sedona fix. Boynton has been on my list forever, but parking has been a pain and I've just put it off. I finally was able to visit today. Got up early early and drove up to find a nearly full lot at 7am (and by the time I finished people were parked quite a ways up Boynton Pass Rd. I made a side trip to the Subway Cave, since that's such a darling of the Insta crowd and then went up to the end of Boynton Canyon. I considered trying to head up the "backyard" canyon, but I got busy watching the sand fall of my shoes and missed the turnoff. Maybe next time.

 I love Secret Mountain Wilderness. I've explored Secret Canyon from Sedona before, and I couldn't wait to explore more of Secret Mountain via Loy Canyon. It's taken the last six months for this hike to materialize. Each time I'd plan a trip to Sedona, the weather would turn for the worst and I'd have to cancel.

Finally, with ideal spring weather upon us, I made an impulse decision to do a Saturday trip up to Red Rock Country.

The road out to Loy Canyon TH isn't bad at all, which is surprising after the wet winter we've had. It's maintained dirt/gravel, and the utility poles that follow the road remind you you're not far from civilization, remote as it may feel out there.

This hike begins in Red Rock Country, which gives way to beautiful old-growth forest. Then it gets less pretty as you emerge from forest into desert scrub and sandstone. This section is the switchbacks that ascend up to Secret Mountain. Definitely watch your footing in here, as the trail is a shelf in some sections. The views of Secret Mountain and the canyon are breathtaking.

Once through the switchbacks I reached the saddle and junction with Secret Mountain. I first went to the south, but the trail gave out quickly. Massive trees have fallen, and the trail is not only blocked but tore up with huge gashes that are impassable. The elk are certainly enjoying this area of Secret Mountain. Whatever's on top of Secret Mountain may have to wait for another day (doubtful as my understanding is this section isn't being maintained anymore).

I opted to go to the north and hiked over to the Secret Mountain TH. I was actually impressed to see this is a semi-developed TH. I put down my pack here and had lunch. The creeks in the lower elevations of Loy Canyon were bone dry which is unexpected after this wet winter AND there's patchy snow on Secret Mountain. However, in the higher elevations water is still flowing. I first heard and then spied two beautiful waterfalls across the canyon. I also heard, but did not see, what was most certainly a rock slide somewhere in the canyon.

Unable to explore Secret Mountain further, I returned the way I came. I'm so glad to check this one off my bucket list, but I may be back. My understanding is that there are some impressive Native ruins to explore in Loy Canyon.

 Jumped the gun on this one. Fourth year in a row, keep finding reasons to revisit this loop. This year it was for the big flow. Gage down stream by the Verde confluence said 75cfs. Was a lot lower than the 3000+ from the previous two weeks, but to be honest I still have little frame of reference for those numbers. I do understand, however, the provisional data disclaimer on the USGS website after this hike. Ended up fording the creek over my waist twice. Cold water, fast flowing. As the temps warm and the flow subsides, I think it'll prove a great year for Taylor Cabin and this stretch of Sycamore and all its top tier swimming holes.

Casner Trail, if you're thinking of driving it, was super eroded in the last year. There were tire tracks, so somebody managed to do it, but I can't imagine the set up you'd need for a couple of the switchbacks.

Taylor Cabin Trail is very much deteriorated since March last year. The big washouts are now impassible. More of the route is off trail. It's tough. Damage seemed worse this year. Little snow left up top, but what's there was iced over and tough to get across. By now probably good.

Got down to Sycamore and there were a dozen elk on the other side heading to the water. What was once a wide rocky section of the creek is now a deep mud hole. Water was too high, but I didn't want to head back up TC through the burn. Managed to stay dry by bushwhacking along the south side of the creek. Had to climb through some brush and over the flood debris. Got buzzed by a private helicopter flying through the cliff walls some way down.

Had to get wet to mid shin to get to the crossing where Sycamore Basin is still around. After that I realized I would have to cross again to get to the cabin, and it didn't hit me until later the most difficult crossing would be on Dogie sometime down the trail. Entered the creek to the knee on the rocky banks. The middle went above my waist. As the water shallowed up, it got rockier, and I fell into the creek with my clothes still on. Stumbled up and fell again. Got through it, hustled to the cabin. Earlier, climbing Casner, I saw a car drive in to Dogie TH, and I thought if no one was there by the time I got to Taylor Cabin, the water was too high for them to cross. Took off all my clothes and put them out on the line. The cabin, despite now mostly not having a roof, provided nice cover from the wind.

What a nervous several miles it was up Dutch Kid and down Dogie. To memory, a total blur until the Dogie crossing. Where the trail heads it was deep pools and white water, up stream even deeper pools edging out into cliffs. I found a line. Pulled my pack up my back and strapped the waistband around my chest after packing my warm clothes and electronics inside. Pulled a branch out of the flood debris. Rocky knee depth, and then a wide section nearly chest deep. There was a tree bending with the flow but 1/3rd the way out of the water. Climbed on top and after much consideration dropped my pack down my back and jumped to the shallow water several feet away. Scrambled onto the other bank and got rid of my boots opting for the warm sand. Bundled up and after a long while headed up Dogie.

Met one person on the way who had turned back at the crossing. The trail is in much the same shape as it's ever been. The tanks along the way had the most drinkable water I've seen in them. Awesome day. Would never do again. Great year for it, just got there too early.

 First off, the parking for this trail has become an absolute nightmare in the past year. What used to be one of the more quiet areas of Sedona has turned into a spectacle that honestly surpasses the Devils Bridge crowd.

As you drive in you’ll notice cars out in the street, haphazardly parked, flora near the road be damned!

I took the high route into the canyon avoiding the canyon trail because I suspected it would be like Disneyland. Plus I just generally prefer that middle layer of Sedona canyons because you get to see the Coconino Sandstone above you and can peer into the canyon below.

Took our time and climbed onto some cool ledges, a lot of up and down just kinda exploring.

Dropped back into Boynton Canyon about .3 of a mile from the end of trail. Luckily it was dusk when we were heading out but we still ran into quite a few groups asking “is this the way to the Subway Cave?” Le sigh.

 Came out here to check on the Roost and make sure there wasn’t any recent graffiti or destruction. It’s gotten quite popular so multiple groups there when we arrived and everyone had decided to set their water bottles and bags ON the walls. Headed around the butte after and just explored. It drizzled/sleeted for like 30 minutes and stopped. If you visit here please don’t graffiti the walls or leave a trace.