Our one and only hike during our stay in long awaited Sedona Arizona was lovely. We scouted the trailhead the previous day on the way to our campsite for the evening. We were amazed and concerned at the numbers of vehicles and people on the main turnoff to the trailhead. The place was seriously MOBBED. We had read numerous reviews of the glorious hiking to be found in Sedona. The hordes of people seemed to confirm the trip reports.

Hence our 4:45am wake-up the next morning to ensure that we would have a parking spot at the trail's head. Indeed, we were the first ones there! Maybe we overdid that EARLY alarm. OUCH.

The sun was barely coming up as we began hiking. This trail begins well before the canyon, following the road and flanking any number of fancy resorts. Gradually civilization is left behind and the hike feels more remote. A spur trail to a cave is not marked and we missed it! But the rock formations all through the hike were beautifully dramatic. There were the elusive sounds of birds but we saw nary a one. Very few wildflowers were in bloom here either. But there was snow on the trail the farther we went in. Winter is sure hanging on.

As we reached the final section of level rock at the very back of the canyon we found ourselves in one of the famous vortex sites of Sedona. Was that why we were so hungry?!! We enjoyed our lunch with only one other couple at the site. As we were finishing another two people came up the trail. As for the vortex, we couldn't sense anything at all.

Our distance out and back was 6.3 miles with 700' elevation gain. As we hiked back to our RV there were more and more AND MORE people on the trail. Our early arrival was a good thing!!

As for Sedona the town, meh. The views of the red rock formations around town were beautiful. The main shopping meca was a throng of people buying up crystals, souvenirs, restaurants, and mass produced native american art that was off-putting.

We repeated our process the next morning to another trail head, got there in good time, only for it to be pouring rain. We were not feeling good about hiking in the downpour, which was showing to last all day and the next several. DANG. After powwowing we decided to head to California and revisit some areas we had greatly enjoyed there in 2017. And away we went.

**A few days and many miles later we read that the area we had just left was troubled. The spring break crowds (ha!) were experiencing floods, roads closed, and other nasty treats from Mother Nature when a winter weather event hit the town. Sorry for them, but it was nice to hear that we made the right call in leaving.**

In any case...

#nvrstphiking.