Sedona for Christmas

Today for Christmas, we went on an 8 mile hike! We did a less busy hike to avoid the crowds, and were still able to see some iconic spots.

We parked at the Yavupai Vista Point (moderately busy at 11am). Then started on the Kaibab Trail until we reached the Slim Shady trail. After a mile downhill, we reached the Templeton Trail. This trail took us almost all the way around Cathedral Rock (a vortex site). We were also able to see Oak Creek. Then after a few miles on Templeton, we hopped onto Baldwin to Hilline. There were lots of mountain bikers on the Hilline trail, and it was very steep-but had views~ we did this in about 3 hours, but stopped at the top of Hilline for a soup & PB&J lunch.

A great way to spend Christmas in Sedona!

Some other hikes that were recommended but that we didn't have time to do were:

• Airport Mesa Loop- 3.5mi with 200 ft elevation gain. Another vortex spot

• Bell Rock Pathway- 1.5mi from Courthouse Vista parking area

• West Fork- 6.9 miles, 400 ft elevation

• Soldier Pass- 4.1 mi, 600 ft elevation, see Devil's Sinkhole & Seven Sacred Pools

• Bear Mountain- 4.3, 1,975 ft elevation

• Fay Canyon- 2.4 mile, 190 ft elevation

Although we are in a van in the southwest for Christmas, we had a family zoom which was a great way to stay connected to everyone!