Hiking in Sedona, slot canyons, and Zion National Park

I recently headed back home from Arizona, and Mr. Thumb and I took a week and basically hiked our way back. We were both overwhelmed at the natural beauty we saw, and I am excited to share what I can with my GK family. Be forewarned, you may get the urge to go after seeing these beautiful places!


Our first big stop was in Sedona, AZ, also known as Red Rock Country. We could have easily spent a week here. Not only is the landscape spectacular, but it's right on top of the town. The town itself is a blast - small, pretty touristy, but fun shops, restaurants, and bars. Many of the best trails and places are literally right behind houses in town. No matter where you are, you are within 5 minutes of a trailhead.


This is Soldier Pass Trail








The seven reflection pools, I think they're called....





Me and the pooch








We got up the next morning at (oh god!) 5 AM to catch a sunrise. SOOOO worth it.


This is Cathedral Rock - we will hike the next day....





Here comes the sun, do do do doo......





Mr Thumb blinding himself....





Me, dreaming of moving here....





Right next to where we were staying.... Yeah, I could've stayed MUCH longer...





On our way to Devil's Bridge. One of the coolest things about Sedona, unlike state and national parks, is that because it's forest service maintained, I can take my pooch with me :dog2:








Devil's Bridge








On our way now to Vultee Arch, another natural bridge/arch





Something I thought was really awesome about Sedona is that, even though it's primarily known for it's 'rock' many places there are still what I call "east coast nature" Lots of maples, oaks, and the like. The combination of the two things I love the most.








Vultee Arch





Ok, here's Cathedral Rock, one of the most difficult, and yet most popular hikes there. It's only 1/2 mile one way, but it's over 1000 ft vertical, and requires some pretty major scrambling in places. Not for the light of heart. But the view? Holy wow....:5eek:




















To give you an idea of the climb up....





The next day we just started driving up the (dirt, Jeep only) road we were staying on, and hiked around. The most fun!








Nice view of the valley....








These are the Honanki Indian cliff dwellings








Now we move on north to the slot canyons. If you don't know what a slot canyon is, it's a crevice formed in softer rock by flash floods. The only ones in the US are in northern AZ and southern Utah, and The colorful ones are in AZ. Obviously it depends on what kind of rock it is to determine the colors you will see. One of the most unique and wonderful things I have ever experienced in my life. The most popular one is Antelope canyon, as it is easy to access, and has excellent colors and shapes. Very close to it is this one, Water Holes Canyon, which is pretty difficult to get to, and not very well known. The access is actually right off the highway, but you'd never guess of see it. It's about 100 feet drop into the canyon, and they continue on, off and on, for about 3 miles. NOT for the claustrophobic!! Some of these canyons were very tight, and require some skill in scrambling.


Here's me dropping into the access, trying not to just tumble down!!!


























This one's our favorite - we're going to blow it up and frame it for our home...





Our last leg of our hiking vacation landed us in Zion National Park. Unfortunately, we only had time for one day there.....


This is right where we stayed, outside the park








We went on the Hidden Canyon trail. You hike and hike and hike up the side of a mountain, and then hang a left, and it's like a, well, it's a hidden canyon! It's like an undiscovered secret! Way fun!








A small, but beautiful arch we found along the way....














Alas, we can go no further....





The sun sets on an amazing vacation!





Thank you for going on this journey with me, I hope you enjoyed my pictures. Words cannot describe many of the places I saw.


If any are interested in more info on these places, PM me and I can tell you some cool things to go see.


peace


GTWT


:XXhippylove:

 

Absolutly beautiful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


I lived in Ca when I was young. I do miss the mountains and deserts. I haven't seen mountains in years.


Thanks for sharing your pics.


Peace....

 

Very pretty. I grew up just outside of Sedona and some of my family still lives there.

 

That was a nice vacation for me just sitting here in my chair following your journey. A nice change from the 3 feet of snow outside right now.


I have been to Sedona (25 years ago ) and it is a beautiful place.


thanks for sharing all the beautiful pictures.


Budz:anibong::anibong::anibong:

 

Beautiful pics! I have been through that area once or twice.


Thanks for posting...B4E...asssit:

 

Cool Pics :thumbs-up:

 

Wow


Thanks so much for that show....i thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

You took some amazing pics GTWT. The mrs and I love the outdoors. I visited Zion when I was young, I really loved it. I want to take the mrs there, it truly is some of the most beautiful land I've seen. Thanks for sharing your trip with us, we thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Nice Pics!!


I'm grew up in Phoenix, and Sedona has always been one of my favorite places!! Grew up going to Slide Rock, coming home with red stained cutoffs!! This was BEFORE they turned it into a State Park & you had to pay to get in!! Oak Creek is so beautiful!! It's always been my dream to have a nice Bed & Breakfast there!!


I also enjoy Tonto Natural Bridge, just outside of Payson, and the Mogollon Rim area for camping!! Arizona is a beautiful state!


Thanks for sharing your lovely pics!!


Geo

 

Just wounderful! :not-worthy:

 

Great pictures! Sounds like a great place for a trip. My wife and I will have to make it out there some time.


Thanks for sharing.

 

Thanks all, I'm glad you liked the pics. I had to narrow down that long post from around 400 that I actually took! I kept stopping, click, walk, stop, click, and mr. Thumb turns around, and says 'we're never gonna get to see anything if you don't stop taking pictures!'


Geo - I'm bummed I missed the slide rock - I heard about it, sounded way fun! But Nov. is not the right time of year for that! If you open up a B&B I'm so there! Any excuse to go back


peace


GTWT


:XXhippylove:

 

That is very cool greenthumb, did you see my family's monument cabin? The Behunin family, my grandma's side, were the first mormon pioneers to settle in Utah and they named that park. They fled persecution with Joseph Smith and my great great great grandfather was his personal bodygaurd. The cabin is still there to this day and you most likely passed it Very cool, sometime I will go myself to experience my own family history. I am not mormon but there are like 1000 people in my family so you can imagine....

 

Beautiful pics!! It kind of reminded me of the canyons in Lake Powell!!


Teamster6

 

Thanks for the tour GTWT.


I can tell that you and the Mr. are kindred spirits to myself and my wife. We'd all have a blast exploring together I'm sure. :anibong:

Yup....I can see it now....you and my wife taking your pics while your hubby and I just wait and smoke some bowls. asssit:


Damn women...always slowing us down.

 

:roffl: How did you know that's what happened???? :roffl:


We are always down for exploring outdoors. It's the main reason I'm still where I'm at - the place is almost overrun with Mormons, but it's too beautiful for us to leave! I had him almost ready for a road trip when I showed him your pics of Hite Cove....


GTWT


:XXhippylove:

 

I knew because I somehow seem to get VERY high on our hikes for some reason. :icon_scratch: I finally saw that it was in direct proportion to how many pictures my wife took.


Oh yes....you two would hit it off quite well I'm sure.


I took my wife (my g-friend at the time) up a rock face very similar to your scramble up Cathedral Rock (pictured below) and proposed to her. The rest is history. Nothing says "will you marry me" like a view from on top of a mountain. :thumbs-up:





Where she said 'yes'.





You guys go on with your bad selves GTWT.....If you're ever near Yosemite let me know. We'll plan a hiking trip you won't forget. You guys ever rock climb?

 

Wow, she really does have my hair!!! props for chicks with curly hair!!! :cheerleader:


that's a pretty cool place to propose. :thumbs-up:


We've never REAL rock climbed - the shit with gear, ropes, and those crazy little shoes. Just some good scrambling, which is super fun. It seems like every time we'd turn around, one of us is heading up somewhere where it is really going to suck getting back down!!!


Been to Yosemite, very briefly, on a road trip from WA to VA, through OR and CA. Not near enough time, I would love to go back. Likewise if you ever head for the Tetons


GTWT


:XXhippylove:

 

Nice butt.


:thumbs-up: