Sedona Trip Report *Pics from mjk's trip added to pg 2*

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dgrant
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Sedona Trip Report *Pics from mjk's trip added to pg 2*

Postby dgrant » Thu Dec 27, 2007 6:54 pm

I can definitely say I've never bonded with a place so much.

The great thing about Sedona is that it's such an unspoiled playground for outdoorsy people (especially those without fears about height). I loved the fact that you see (and photograph) these incredible canyons and
redrock formations from 3km away, but an hour later you're right in them or on them. And things are still raw and wild... kind of like going to Niagara Falls if there were no buildings and no walkways or guardrails. If you're careful and nimble there's no overwhelming danger, but there's also nothing to stop you from falling 400ft into a canyon, so it gets the heart pumping for sure. We bought a book simply called "Sedona Hikes" and it was invaluable. Over 150 hikes with descriptions, photos, and directions to the trailheads.

I found the altitude did affect me a fair bit, and many of my runs turned into run/hikes because of the terrain and shaky footing. I also did a fair bit of running in blue jeans, because the cacti seemed to really take a liking to my shins.

Although we seemed to get a particularly cool and wet week for the region, I would still recommend going in the winter. It was perfect temperature for running, we rarely saw any other hikers at all, and you don't need to worry about rattlesnakes.

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The path toward Bell Rock. The little fence only extends a couple hundred metres to keep people off the rehabilitated vegetation... then there's no sign of human activity at all.

The difficulty of the running terrain really varied from route to route:
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A view from inside Boynton Canyon

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My bro and me at Montezuma's Castle (aka Cliff Castle), a 500 year old ruin of a Sinigua tribe dwelling built 200 feet up the side of a cliff. There were signs there warning visitors to avoid the squirrels... BECAUSE THEY CARRY THE BUBONIC PLAGUE!

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Coffee Pot Rock on the far right.

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Photo from the Thunder Mountain Trail (not sure what that formation's named)

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From inside a cave where we found native ruins... and I do mean found. I guess because they're pretty high up a cliff, and ruins are fairly plentiful, there were no markers or signs for them. It was only later that we realized what we'd stumbled upon.

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The sandstone looks really slick sometimes, but it's actually really "grippy" and you can easily walk up some pretty steep angles.

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The Vultee Arch. A cool trail, but it doesn't actually take you right to the arch. For a better arch "experience", the Devil's Bridge Trail is a good one.

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The view from the end of the Vultee arch Trail. This is one of the most remote trails, and is much more densely forested than most of the surrounding area.

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A 4x4 is a must to access most of the trailheads.

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One of the local watering holes makes martinis out of the prickly pear cactus.

I would recommend Sedona to any trail runner. It's an easy drive north from Phoenix, it's big enough to have the amenities you'd want (a grocery store, plenty of restaurants, even a movie theatre for rainy days), but it doesn't seem nearly as touristy as it is. They obviously work well to keep it classy and humble. I loved it so much we're going right back in March!
Last edited by dgrant on Sun Nov 02, 2008 11:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Postby trixiee » Thu Dec 27, 2007 7:41 pm

Awesome, Dave. Thanks for sharing! :)
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Postby BJH » Thu Dec 27, 2007 7:41 pm

Great photos Dave. That looks amazing.

Dave the germaphobe vs bubonic plague squirrels :lol:

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Postby Kelodie » Thu Dec 27, 2007 7:53 pm

Wow! This looks like a very nice place, no wonder you fell in love with it.

I missed the reason why you went there, was it for work or for fun?
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Postby Nicholas » Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:05 pm

Nice place!!!! Was there in 1973.
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Postby scrumhalfgirl » Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:11 pm

Stunning! Thanks so much for taking the time to post these.
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Postby dwayne_runs_far » Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:19 pm

Amazing photos Dave! Looks like an amazing place to spend some time exploring.

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Postby seuss » Thu Dec 27, 2007 9:59 pm

gorgeous! thanks Dave.
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Postby turd ferguson » Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:10 pm

Amazing Dave.

I ran in similar stuff in Scottsdale and I totally get the "blue jeans" thing - if you're Canadian and used to just crashing through branches and underbrush, that does NOT work in Arizona.
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Postby eme » Thu Dec 27, 2007 10:59 pm

Amazing!

Definately one place now on my 'someday' list.

Thanks for sharing.

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Postby IronColl » Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:41 pm

Cool! Great pictures.

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Postby RA. » Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:49 pm

Dave, those pics bring back pleasant memories! I am glad you had such a good time.
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Postby Ken B » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:25 am

Fantastic photos, Dave. Now you know why Mrs. Tortoise and I consider Sedona as one of our top destinations! ( tied for first with Maui!! :lol: )

Thanks for thread!! :lol:

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Postby Kristi » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:34 am

I love Sedona! Those are awesome pics!

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Postby Dani » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:42 am

I went with some friends when we were in Arizona. Next time I would like to see it without having run a marathon 2 days before.

It was stunning!

Did you get to the church in the mountain? That was quite a place.
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Postby Jo-Jo » Fri Dec 28, 2007 7:51 am

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing Dave...you and Lisa will have lots of fun there in March :D
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Postby dgrant » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:11 am

Kelodie wrote:
I missed the reason why you went there, was it for work or for fun?


Just for family fun. None of us had ever been there, and my Mom's friend offered her an unused timeshare week.

Dani wrote:Did you get to the church in the mountain? That was quite a place.


Not this time, but I'd sure like to. We spent 6 days there, yet I feel like there's so much more to see. That's the sign of a great spot!

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Postby CeilidhOnTheRun » Fri Dec 28, 2007 8:14 am

Looks like a fantastic trip!!!!
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Postby La » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:03 am

Gorgeous! I love that photo of you jumping across the stream! I'd love to go back someday as I didn't spend enough time there in 2003.
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Postby MINITEE » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:08 am

WOW... absolutely stunning scenery Dave... makes me think that Arizona needs to go on my "list"...

Glad that you had a great time with your family..

I did get a giggle about the squirrels though... surprised you weren't in a haz-mat suit. :wink:
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Postby drghfx » Fri Dec 28, 2007 9:36 am

Very nice pictures. The place looks beautiful!

I hear the bubonic plague takes days, if not weeks, to present itself. It starts with sore quads, hamstrings, ankles etc. Don't worry, I'm sure you never ran over squirrel scat where most of the germs reside and then took off or put on your running shoes with your bare hands. :wink: :twisted:
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Postby Strider » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:00 am

Thanks for the pictures - Such breathtaking scenery. Make me want to run Utah even more.
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Postby Hermes » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:25 am

Those red rocks, trails, cliffs, canyons, gullies, passes, arches, pinnacles, landscapes.... really are gorgeous.

We keep going back, year after year. Sedona in particular is lovely... especially in the spring, but winter's nice too.

Love that look on your face near Montezuma's castle. Don't pet the squirrels... :)

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Postby braveheart » Fri Dec 28, 2007 11:01 am

simply gorgeous
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Postby rundmc » Sat Dec 29, 2007 8:04 pm

Great pictures Dave! Thanks. I love Arizona.
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