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

Hike #16 - Twin Buttes, Sedona, AZ

The Twin Buttes trail up to the Twin Buttes saddle offers a seldom seen spectacular view of back of The Church of the Holy Cross.  This approx. 3 mile RT trail is a little hard to find since it seems the Forest Service doesn't want people to find it any more and it isn't shown on any of the local hiking maps.  We started at the Broken Arrow Trail head and then worked our way towards the direction of the saddle and found a distinct trail.  There is also a Twin Buttes Loop trail that circles around Twin Buttes.  The trail has a fair amount of steep climbing towards the end but well worth it for the incredible view.  Portions of this trail are popular with mountain bikers.

Hike #15 - Salome Jug Hike, Globe, AZ

The Salome Jug is located near Roosevelt Lake in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness. We hired a guide to teach us basic canyoneering skills along the way including repelling.  (Don't try this hike without an experienced guide or someone that is prepared to help you repel approx. 20'.  Many people think they can jump into the pool at the end but get to there and change their mind.) This hike is one of my all time favorite hikes! The slot canyon consists of polished pink granite which is sometimes slippery depending on how much algae is on it if under water.  There are many pools, some quite deep and the only way to get through the canyon is to swim through them.  There are at least 3 places to slide 10' down water slides in the rock.  Swimming was quite refreshing since it was 98 degrees (May 19, 2013).
The total trip includes 2 miles of hiking to the canyon, approx. 2 miles through the canyon and 2 miles back to the parking area making a 6 mile loop.  We spent approx. 5 - 6 hours with plenty of time to play in the pools and help others who didn't come prepared to repel down. 

Hike #14 - Broken Arrow to Submarine Rock, Sedona, AZ

Broken Arrow is my favorite Pink Jeep tour.  I decided to hike this trail knowing I would see lots of Pink Jeeps.  The trail is 3 miles and easy to moderate with only a 300' gain.  There are cairns marking the trail so it is easy to follow.  The sandstone is perfect for walking on so that you don't slip.  I hiked alone and went to Submarine Rock.  As always the views are hard to beat!

Hike #13 - Loy Canyon Trail - Sedona, AZ

The Samuel Loy family created the Loy Canyon Trail in the 1880's to move livestock to and from summer pastures on the rim.  This 10 mile trek was NOT easy! The first 2 miles we walked through sand almost like on a beach.  The second 2 miles, we walked through a cloud of gnats.  The last mile had a 1,000' gain with bushwacking through cacti and sticker bushes.  The views were incredible of vermillion cliffs and sandstone surrounded by manzanita trees, catclaw, cholla and prickly pear.  Once we reached the top we ventured a short way to the Secret Wilderness.
There are two Sinagua cliff dwellings near this canyon.  The Sinagua are thought to have lived here around AD 1100 to 1300 and are thought to be ancestors to the Hopi Indians.  The cliff dwelling structures are easy to walk to and quite impressive.  We visited the Hananki Ruins.