Hiking Through History Among the Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona

The Trip

Our excursion though time will start with a hike through a canyon of the 280-million-year-old Schnebly Hill Formation. This red sandstone that makes up most of the landscape is descended from a vast ancient desert of sand dunes. The striated cross-bedding seen in the red rocks is an echo of its otherworldly past. Eons of erosion have resulted in magnificent formations -- some of which we will visit and one we can even choose to climb most of the way to the top. 

Oak Creek Canyon and the surrounding area is a frequently visited tourist destination. However, mid-week in April we will avoid most the crowds and witness the wild flowers of springtime in this gorgeous playground for people of all ages. Watch carefully and you might see ravens soaring like sailplanes, as these intelligent birds play in air currents along the canyon walls. But it hasn’t always been a place just to come and play. In the past 6,000 years, when hunters and gatherers first entered the area, it has also been a place where people have come to make a living and raise their families. As we hike through wilderness into canyons and onto mesas, we will also take a walk through history. In the evenings, there will be discussions of man’s historical relationship with nature, including environmental factors that may be relevant to the fall of the Sinagua civilization.

Day 1: You will be picked up at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and transported to our accommodations in Sedona, Arizona. Once you are settled in the Sedona accommodation, we will meet for an orientation happy hour followed by dinner and a trip preview meeting.

Day 2: We will hike the Templeton Trail to Cathedral Rock (seven miles, 250 feet of elevation gain), which offers outstanding panoramic views. You will have the option of either hiking a very steep route up Cathedral Rock or stay with the group electing to stay at the bottom. We will then be on our way to Montezuma Castle, the ancient Sinaqua’s stunning work of architecture built after 1100 A.D. If time allows, we will visit Montezuma’s Well, which reveals the incredible technology behind the Sinaqua’s watering of crops.

Day 3: Plans are to hike Boynton Canyon (6 miles round-trip, 700 feet of elevation gain). This trail travels through a forested canyon with views of high red- and buff-colored cliffs. Pueblo-building Sinaquas arrived in the first millennia to build cliff dwellings that are still visible. In the afternoon we will travel to Jerome, located half-way up Mingus Mountain, which is a turn-of-the-20th-century copper mining boom town that later became a ghost town. It has since had a revival as a popular tourist destination. We will visit the Mine Museum, which details the history of the industry and people of the area. 

Day 4: Today we will hike Brin’s Mesa Loop (6 miles round-trip, 700 feet of elevation gain). After starting in gently slopping foothills, the trail climbs a mesa that is almost entirely enclosed by walls of the canyon with amazing 360-degree views.  It’s easy to see how a place that has a creek running through it would appeal to early settlers.  In the afternoon we will visit an old homestead that is now the Sedona Heritage Museum.  

Day 5: The West Fork of Oak Creek, which Zane Grey described in “Call of the Canyon," is a Sedona area favorite (7 miles round-trip, 300 feet of elevation gain). This trail follows the perennial West Fork of Oak Creek through towering cliffs, pines, and firs. It includes a dozen easy stream crossings. We will explore the ruins of the Mayhew Lodge where Warren Harding, Clark Gable, and Carol Lombard once stayed, and enjoy some stream-side time along Oak Creek. 

Day 6: Today we will visit Fossil Creek, which is a Wild And Scenic River fed by warm springs of mineralized turquoise water, with an easy 2.2-mile round-trip hike to a waterfall. There you will have the option of taking a dip in a large pool if the temperature is warm enough to swim. We will then go to Verde Hot Springs where it’s always warm enough to take a dip. From there we will visit Fort Verde State Historical Park, which was occupied by U.S. Army troops from 1870-91 and is the best preserved Indian Wars site in the state.

Day 7: We will say goodbye to our Sedona adventure with an easy walk around two famous rock formations, Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte (4 miles round-trip, 400 feet of elevation gain). The last afternoon will be on your own as you explore the tourist mecca of downtown Sedona.

Day 8: After a final breakfast, we will check out of our accommodations and head for the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Note: While every attempt will be made to adhere to this itinerary, it is subject to change based on weather, participant fitness, and other conditions.

Getting There

Fly into the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport no later than 2:00 p.m. of day one. You will be picked up by mini-vans and transported to lodging in Sedona (two-hour drive from Phoenix). Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will stay at Sedona Paradise, which is a lovely home surrounded by fantastic red rock views. It was once owned by film star Jane Russell. Covering more than 5,000 square feet, it has six bedrooms and four baths. Outside, there is a large swimming pool with an attached hot tub. The kitchen is furnished with a refrigerator, gas stove, oven, microwave, filtered water system (RO), and all small appliances. The leaders will provide all meals. Trip participants will share in food preparation and cleanup. Our goal is healthy food that will sustain and delight you. The meals will be vegetarian friendly. We can discuss special diets.

Trip Difficulty

This is a moderate trip. We will hike every day Monday through Saturday. The hikes will be up to seven miles and up to 800 feet of elevation gain.  To be ready for this trip, you should be comfortable hiking with a day pack for five hours. The trails in this area are generally rocky and often uneven, so they may be more difficult than you would expect based on distance. There is also poison ivy along some of the trails.

Equipment and Clothing

To enjoy our hikes, you will need good hiking shoes that are well broken in. Most people will appreciate boots with ankle support. You will need adequate sun protection—a wide brimmed hat and good sunscreen for sure. Many people prefer to hike in long-sleeved shirts and pants made of a lightweight material. Hiking poles are a good choice, due to the uneven terrain.

This is a desert, and we will not be drinking from streams. So you need to be able to carry two liters or more of water. You also need a day pack large enough to carry your water, food, and extra clothes.

We expect mild, sunny days, but it can still rain. So bring a rain jacket. For evenings and mornings on the lodge grounds, you may want a sweater or jacket.

All towels, linens, and eating utensils are provided.

References

Books:

• Stone, Robert, Day Hikes Around Sedona, 100 Great Hikes.
• Ranney, Wayne, Sedona Through Time, A Guide to Sedona’s Geology.
• Schnebly Heidinger, Lisa and Janeeen Trevillyan, and the Sedona Historical Society, Sedona, Images of America.

Conservation

The Sierra Club has been active in Northern Arizona for more than 50 years, primarily focused on protecting and preserving Grand Canyon National Park.  

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.