Sedona Trip Report *Pics from mjk's trip added to pg 2*
Sedona Trip Report *Pics from mjk's trip added to pg 2*
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.
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:
A view from inside Boynton Canyon
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!
Coffee Pot Rock on the far right.
Photo from the Thunder Mountain Trail (not sure what that formation's named)
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.
The sandstone looks really slick sometimes, but it's actually really "grippy" and you can easily walk up some pretty steep angles.
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.
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.
A 4x4 is a must to access most of the trailheads.
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!
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.
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:
A view from inside Boynton Canyon
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!
Coffee Pot Rock on the far right.
Photo from the Thunder Mountain Trail (not sure what that formation's named)
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.
The sandstone looks really slick sometimes, but it's actually really "grippy" and you can easily walk up some pretty steep angles.
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.
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.
A 4x4 is a must to access most of the trailheads.
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.
Awesome, Dave. Thanks for sharing!
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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?
I missed the reason why you went there, was it for work or for fun?
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"Have a little faith in yourself and watch the magic begin" - Ironboy
Plans for 2014:
Run for Women 5K, May 11
Ottawa Race Weekend 10K, May 24
Nice place!!!! Was there in 1973.
Last edited by Nicholas on Tue Jan 01, 2008 8:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Events in 2018
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Events in 2018
Walking, Yoga, Soccer scrimmages and whatever else I can do
Hip replacement on September 10....now doing a variation of the None to Run plan
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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.
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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Amazing!
Definately one place now on my 'someday' list.
Thanks for sharing.
Definately one place now on my 'someday' list.
Thanks for sharing.
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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.
It was stunning!
Did you get to the church in the mountain? That was quite a place.
I used to run. All the time.
Now? Notsomuch.
I'm still a runner, though.
Life is fluid and ever changing. I am too.
Now? Notsomuch.
I'm still a runner, though.
Life is fluid and ever changing. I am too.
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing Dave...you and Lisa will have lots of fun there in March
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"a precious, unique and quirky individual"...definition given by a Toronto Cop
An Ever Loyal and Devoted Official Doonst Fan.
"In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer" -Albert Camus
"Keep Going. Never Give Up." Spencer
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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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.
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.
KEEP GOING, NEVER GIVE UP: Spencer D
Hey, be careful around me, apparently I'm a chronically offended kind of person...
Hey, be careful around me, apparently I'm a chronically offended kind of person...
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.
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.
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Thanks for the pictures - Such breathtaking scenery. Make me want to run Utah even more.
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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...
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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