Sedona Arizona

[wayoflife]

Rather than heading straight for home after the awesome weekend of wheeling we had in Arizona last week, Cindy and I decided to make our drive back a bit more interesting and took side trip up through Sedona. I mean hey, it's not everyday that you find yourself in a state with so much to see and do and wheel and we just felt that it would be a crime to pass up the opportunity... or, at least, that's what we told ourselves. Fortunately for us, the weather was outstanding with the days being as long as they are right now, we were able to get in multiple trails including the famous Broken Arrow, short but interesting Soldier Pass and visiually stunning Schnebly Hill before ending our fun filled day in Flagstaff. Here are some pics from our trip - I hope you enjoy

Before starting our side trip back home, we made a quick stop over at the Crackers & Company Cafe in Mesa, AZ and had an amazing breakfast there - It's a bit tough to find but I highly recommend it if you're ever in the area....


As we approached our turn off to Sedona, we spotted a fire in the distant and hoped it wouldn't muck up the skies for us...


After pulling into Sedona, we stopped over at Bell and Courthouse Rock viewing area to take in the view and buy a pass (required if you plan on stopping anywhere)...




Pulling up to our first trail of the day, Broken Arrow...


If you can believe it, this "speed bump" was installed just past the trailhead sign to help prevent vehicles who do not have the proper clearance from running this trail - I think we can make it...


Around the first bend, there are a set of Moab style ledges that you can have a little fun on. It isn't much but, we still managed to find a way to flex Moby out...


Heading up the well worn path up to Submarine Rock...


Stopping over at the Submarine Rock parking area to get out and do some exploring on foot...




The view from the top of Submarine Rock was just awesome...






Our lil' Tessa posing for a quick shot before heading out...


Standing on top of Chicken Point taking in the view and taking some poser shots of Moby...










Just before you get to "The Steps", there's a fun section of slick rock that reminds me a lot of Moab. Here's Moby climbing to the top of this small dome...




Taking some poser shots from the top...






Here's a shot of Moby coming down the overly hyped up "Steps". I'm sure it was fun at one point and time but at least on this day, it looked and felt like it had carefully placed pavers installed all the way down...


On the way out, we made a quick stop over at the Devils Dining Room sinkhole...




More pics below...

[wayoflife]

Our next stop was over at the very short but interesting Soldiers Pass Road...


While this trail is rated "difficult", I can assure you that it's anything but. Here's a shot of Moby taking on the only climb on the whole trail and it's more of a concrete ramp than anything...




Stopping over at the Devil's Kitchen which is really cool. From a distance, it almost looks architecural in shape...


Our next stop was over at the Seven Apache Pools...




Rather than taking the highway out, we decided to leave Sedona via Schnebly Hill Road which is touted as being one of the most photogenic 12 miles you can off road in the area. Here's a few shots of Moby on our way out...




At the top of the pass looking back down at Sedona...


Sitting at over 6,500 feet above sea level, the cactus give way to pine trees and much cooler temperatures...


Enjoying the cool mountain scenery up by the old Foxboro Dam...




Finally, finishing up our fun filled day with one of Flagstaff's finests ales - a Lumberyard Red over at the Beaver Street Brewing Company...


I hope you've enjoyed following our adventures through Sedona, Arizona. If you'd like to see all the pics we took along the way, simply click on the link below:

Sedona Arizona Photo Gallery

[MTG]

Wow!

The forum says I need more characters but the above says it all.

[JKRay]

Simply amazing!

[htweelz]

Great pictures. We were out there two years ago and we all want to go back so badly. Sedona and the surrounding areas are so beautiful.

[Jkzinger]

Dang! We missed you guys by a couple days there. We also ran those three trails, including Broken Arrow again at night under the full moon! That was much more fun than during the day. You are right, the steps are all hype even at night!

If you can believe it, at Chicken point you see that white line about halfway up the mountain above Moby? They actually mountain bike that white line. A guy did it when we were there and there are a few youtube videos showing that craziness!

[wayoflife]

Great pictures. We were out there two years ago and we all want to go back so badly. Sedona and the surrounding areas are so beautiful.

well, right about now is getting to be a bit on the warm side but otherwise, yeah, it's real nice out there. i could do without all the stupid pink jeeps though - there are so many of them out there that they kind of ruin the feel of where you are - kinda make it feel like disneyland or something.

Dang! We missed you guys by a couple days there. We also ran those three trails, including Broken Arrow again at night under the full moon! That was much more fun than during the day. You are right, the steps are all hype even at night!

If you can believe it, at Chicken point you see that white line about halfway up the mountain above Moby? They actually mountain bike that white line. A guy did it when we were there and there are a few youtube videos showing that craziness!

no kidding, bummer we missed you. also, that's crazy that people mountain bike that line

[DManuel]

Beautiful photos! On our list for a future trip. So many places to go, so little time to get there. Stupid job!

[Drumr90]

Wish i could make these trips even though id have to ride with someone but only get 2 weeks vacation.

[highoctane]

The pink jeep tours really are a burden. The owner of one of the tour companies out there, pretty sure it's the pink tours, is always petitioning to get the Sedona trails closed to everyone except the local tour companies. Their reasoning is strictly for profitability reasons, but they claim everyone is tearing the trails up. 200 of those pink jeeps and other tour jeeps out there everyday surely doesn't help, and is surely wearing down trails that used to be a challenge, but the trails are certainly not getting "torn up".