Hike #23 - Cockscomb Trail, Sedona, AZ

The Cockscomb Trail is one of several trails off of Dry Creek Road near Doe Mountain.  It is 5.2 miles RT and fairly flat making it a popular trail for mountain bikers.  Our friends Jim and Karen Ritterhouse joined us on a very warm 1st of June, 2013.  Karen is an artist and photographer.  We enjoyed helping her find interesting things to photograph on this trail.  The agave succulents had stalks with radiant orange panicles or flowers.  The views included Cockscomb, Chimney Rock, Capital Butte and other popular landmarks.  At one point, the trail intersected the trail up Doe Mountain so we climbed Doe Mountain to take in the scenic overlook. 

 

 

 

Hike #22 - Teta Kawi Mountain, San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico

Paul and I went to San Carlos in Sonora Mexico on Memorial Day weekend 2013 to scuba dive.  We discovered a trail that went up the beautiful volcanic mountain, Teta Kawi which means  "Goat teats".  The trail was steep, rocky and full of loose dirt.  There were few switch backs that would have made it a more safe and enjoyable for visitors and locals to see the stunning views from the top.  The vegetation was mostly desert trees, cactus and saguaro.  After an hour of climbing we were near the top which is 200 meters above sea level.  It was getting more and more dangerous and steep and we needed ropes etc. to safely climb the rest of the way.  We stopped to take in the view of the Sea of Cortez and San Carlos then headed back down.

Hike #21 - West Fork Oak Creek, Sedona, AZ

West Fork is the most popular trail in the Coconino National Forest/Sedona.  Paul and I hiked this trail in winter last year and this year he wanted me to experience it in the summer time.  It is even more spectacular in the summer time especially having shade from the canyon walls and trees, also the sound and feel of water as you boulder hop across the stream.  This is an easy trail with a distance of 3.2 miles which takes 2 to 3 hours round trip.  There is a fee of $9 to park in the parking area and drinking water is not provided but you can easily stop at the natural spring at the Pine Flats Campground nearby to fill up your Camelback or water bottle.  This trail is generally more crowded than any others especially on summer weekends and can be closed during times of high fire danger usually in late June.

If you only do one hike in Sedona, hike West Fork! 

Hike #20 - Pink Sands Trail, Sedona, AZ

The Pink Sands trail is a short 1/2 mile hike that starts near the natural spring water spicket at the Pine Flats campground.  This trail is relatively flat and parallels Oak Creek.  This area is great for bird watching and fishing.  The towering ponderosa pines provide nice shade for hiking on a warm day.  The trail ends at a beautiful canyon that would involve some major rock climbing if you wanted to hike into it.

 

Hike #19 - Thompson Point Trail, Sedona, AZ

This moderate to strenuous 1 1/2 mile hike, is steep but well worth the fantastic views of the San Francisco Peaks, the crimson bluffs of Slide Rock and cross canyon to one of Oak Creek's largest tributaries, West Fork Canyon.  The Thompson Point trail offers the broadest views of the 3 trails in this area that ascend to the top of Oak Creek Canyon.  Paul and I hiked the other 2 trails last year (Cookstove and Harding Springs) and I liked this one the best. 

 

 

Hike #18 - Chimney Rock Trail, Sedona, AZ

The Chimney Rock Trail is a two mile loop around Chimney Rock which is also called Three Fingers.  As you start the hike, the rock formation looks like a single rock but as you make your way around the loop you see 3 separate rock formations.  The trail starts at the Thunder Mountain trail head and is easy to moderate.  This was a very enjoyable hike with lots of wildflowers, birds, lizards and views of Uptown Sedona, Cockscomb, Boynton Canyon, Lizard Head and Capital Butte.

Chimney Rock/Three Fingers

Standing in front of Capital Butte

Hike #17 - Broken Arrow Trail to Chicken Point - Sedona, AZ

Chicken Point

Chicken Point is a popular scenic destination for hikers, mountain bikers and Pink Jeep tours.  There are multiple trails to get there including The Little Horse Trail and Broken Arrow Trail.  From Chicken Point you have views of "Two Sisters" and "Chapel of the Holy Cross".  The total RT distance is approx. 3.5 miles which includes visiting the giant sinkhole called "Devils Dining Room" which is also a bat cave.
 

Devils Dining Room/Bat Cave

Two Sisters

Chapel of the Holy Cross to Cathedral Rock

Broken Arrow Trail Head

Hedgehog Cactus