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Day 1
Phoenix, Arizona.
We’ll meet today at the airport in Phoenix and get
acquainted with each other and our guides before
boarding our 15-passenger vans for the two-hour trip
to Sedona. If everyone arrives on time, we’ll go
for a short, but strikingly beautiful hike, this
afternoon. Welcome dinner in Sedona. We overnight
throughout the trip at the Radisson Poco Diablo
Resort in Sedona. (D = Dinner
included)
Day 2
Courthouse
Butte and
Bell Rock Trail. Located only a few miles
from our accommodations, this moderate trail through
a series of beautiful red rock formations weaves in
and out of the Munds Mountain Wilderness and offers
excellent views of two of Sedona’s famous landmark
rock formations, Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte.
The streambed that parallels our trail for a short
distance includes some nice pools and wonderfully
sculpted rock formations. As one of the most
popular trails in the area, we will probably meet a
number of other walkers during the day, but you’ll
still love the area’s unique charm. Distance: 4.3
miles. Elevation Gain: 200 feet.
Later in the afternoon we head in a different
direction to enjoy a walk up Doe Mountain, a small
mesa west of Sedona with beautifully weathered
cliffs and wonderful views of the surrounding
area. The afternoon light bathes the area in a
kaleidoscope of oranges, reds, and yellows and
provides dramatic contrasts for those who enjoy
photography or doing some of their own watercolors.
We’ll take plenty of time on this magnificent mesa
to explore a bit on our own before heading back to
town for dinner. 3.6 miles and 467 feet elevation
gain. (B, L)
Day 3
Boynton Canyon Trail. Our trail takes us
into a spectacular red-rock canyon that reaches into
the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness before
ending at the base of the towering cliffs of Bear
Mountain. Although the first part of the trail
skirts the Enchantment Resort, the beauty of the
upper part of the canyon more than compensates for
the beginning urban flavor of the trail. Massive
walls of Coconino sandstone form the walls at the
head of the canyon and there are many in the area
who think that the two spires are Vortex energy
points, one positive and the other negative. You’ll
have to make the trip to see for yourself. 6.5 miles
and 540 feet elevation gain.
(B, L, D)
Day 4 Wupatki
and Sunset Crater National Monuments.
We’ll travel north through Oak Creek Canyon and to
the Flagstaff area before our first hike in Sunset
Crater Volcano National Monument. Created in 1930,
Sunset Crater National Monument was created to
protect this uniquely beautiful volcanic landscape.
Last erupting in 1064-65, sunset Crater was named
for the colorful glow given off by the oxidized
cinders on the rim of the 1,000-foot-high cinder
cone. Our gentle hike takes us close to the base of
the crater. We then head to Wupatki National
Monument and its well preserved pueblo ruins. The
Sinagua, came together to build a vast farming
community here. By the late 1100’s there were
thousands of Sinagua living and farming in this
area. You’ll love learning a bit about the history
of these people as well as exploring the trails
through the area. (B, L, D)
Day 5
West Fork of
Oak Creek.
About 11 miles north of Sedona, nestled between high
canyon walls of Coconino Sandstone, flows the west
fork of Oak Creek. There is a special charm to this
magnificent canyon that people fall in love with.
Our trail follows along the banks of Oak Creek, set
amidst groves of towering ponderosa-pine and
Douglas-fir, and meanders back-and-forth across the
stream a number of times. You’ll want to make sure
you have good boots for this trail, or a pair of
tennies that you don’t mind getting wet. Although
not a wilderness experience, you’ll want to take
plenty of time to walk at your own pace and discover
all the secret places that await you here.
Distance: 6-8 miles. Elevation gain: 400 feet.
(B, L, D)
Day 6
Brins Mesa East, Soldier’s Pass and
Jordan Trails.
One of our favorites, this loop trail begins in an
area of gently rolling hills and takes us to the
base of Brins Mesa. From here, we climb 500
feet to the top of the mesa and are rewarded with
excellent views of the surrounding peaks and mesas
as well as Sedona itself. We’ll take a quick
detour along the rim of the mesa before continuing
on to our junction with Soldier’s Pass Trail.
Here we continue to enjoy wonderful views as well as
excellent walking on some beautiful slick rock.
We’ll also visit Devil’s Kitchen, the area’s biggest
sinkhole, and stop for a while at the Seven Sacred
Pools, a series of pools carved in the sloping red
sandstone that cradles a small stream here.
Although these pools are small, because they hold
water even in dry periods, they are important to the
birds and animals of the area. We complete our
loop along the short section of Jordan trail.
This trail offers a wide variety of scenery, great
photo opportunities, and the opportunity to stretch
your legs on the uphill parts. Distance:
6 miles. Elevation Gain: 700 feet. (B,
L, D)
Day 7
Flights Home. We will arrive at the Phoenix
Airport at NOON today. (B)
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Tour
Rating:
“Hiker”
– Days cover 3 – 8 miles with a maximum elevation
gain of 700'. You should be comfortable hiking
up to 5 hours at a time with breaks.
Two Walking The WorldŽ experienced guides
6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
All ground transportation while on tour
All admission fees to scheduled stops
Unique and original Journal of your trip
Walking The WorldŽ T-shirt or hat
Loads of good fun, humor, and companionship
A Few
Quotes From Our 2003 Group:
"A fine sampling of hiking opportunities."
Janette,
PA.
"The equipment list was excellent!" Dorrie,
PA.
"What could I add - It
was great all the way through from home to back
home." Nancy, OR.
APPLY FOR TRIP NOW!
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