Sedona...need I say more? Okay I will.
When should I go there?
Where to stay?
What to hike?
Where to eat?
Yes, Sedona is as amazing as everyone says it. Everyone is happy. Everyone is friendly. Everyone is hiking. Everyone is EVERYWHERE. Sedona is packed! I was there the first two weeks of March, and it was apparently Spring Break for a large portion of the world. That being said, it did not take away from the phenomenal majesty that is Sedona.
Where the trails crowded? Yes.
Where the streets busy and the parking not easy to find? Yes.
Was the dispersed camping packed? Yes.
Did it make it any less enjoyable? Not really.
I don't have anything else to compare it to as this was my first (of many to come) visits to Sedona, but I did not allow it to take away from my experience. Most of the younger spring break crowd (K-12) seemed to be on a different schedule than I was, and the college crowd didn't seem to get out and about before 1p, so I stuck to the sweet spot of heading out for the day around 10-1030a, and always happened to make it in a good window. That being said, do expect a crowd at all times. It is Sedona, after all.
I stayed on the 525 road for dispersed camping. The road was fairly maintained for the first few miles, but it is also an OHV/ATV road, so it sees a lot of use. I stayed off of the first turnout on the left, 169B, and went beyond the model aircraft landing strip area. The road absolutely deteriorated beyond the model air-port, but my Ram Promaster with stock tires and no lift was able to make it no problems taking it slow and steady. Expect crowds, expect dust, expect all kinds of different people, and (as always) expect some areas of "generator land" where the RVs and larger trailers tend to group. It is a fairly sheltered road area, so the wind is minimal, which is great for campfire nights and general dust-issues.
As far as what to hike, I recommend everything you can squeeze in, and bring your dog along for all of it! Sedona is extremely dog friendly, and my pup was up for everything I took him to. I would not necessarily recommend Devil's Bridge as a hike to take your dog on if you want the iconic photos, as it is pretty narrow and a very long drop down.
Boynton Canyon (the Subway Cave) was a great hike. 7+/- miles, rock scrambling at the top, and two different ways to enter the subway cave area. Also, there are a lot of ancient ruins around there to explore. Cathedral Rock was a great short hike, and I then took Smith (pupper) on the shorter Easy Breeze trail that connects around to the base of Cathedral Rock and back to the parking lot. Lots of vegetation and smells, and a relatively flat and maintained trail. Soldier's Pass trailhead was fantastic. It was a "no dog" trail for me, as I wanted the photos in the caves where rock scrambles where just a bit too high for Smith to comfortably get up to the cave section. Definitely worth the hike, passing a sinkhole of beauty, the Seven Sacred Pools, and ending in a cave to give you photos worthy of Instagram.
My favorite hike by far was the Fay Canyon Arch Trail. The arch is beautiful, and worth the rock scramble (Smith approved) hike to get to, but do NOT miss out on the rest of the hike. It takes you down about 1-2 more miles, up a short rock climb (very mild, more like walking up a steep rock slant), and opens into a canyon view worthy of everything Sedona is known for: views on VIEWS!
Most of the eating was via my cooking in the van, but I did venture out to Sedona Beer Company more than once in my two-ish weeks there. They have a wide variety of their own brew recipes, other cocktails, and shockingly delicious food, considering I went there assuming great beer and decent food. Boy was I happily surprised the first time a dish I ordered came out. I went from writing a blog to solely focusing on eating. It is a very laid back, unassuming atmosphere with a sizable outdoor "dog friendly" section, as well as another outdoor section reserved for two-legged's only. The interior is not large, but has some seating, so even on a cold, rainy, or windy day you can enjoy their selections of craft brew and fantastic food.
Sedona was truly a fantastic place for hiking, rock scrambling, and generally enjoying some vanlife time with my dog. Busy or not, it is absolutely worth the visit...as if it isn't already on your list :)
Comentarios