Fall 2018 - The year Hurricane Rosa brought showers to Sedona

We stayed in Villa 1104 starting on Sunday for 2 weeks

• Monday, Elaine dropped me at Adobe Jack Trailhead and picked me up at Soldier's Pass trailhead

• Susan George stopped by Tuesday night on her way from Indiana to San Diego --
•  Took her to the chapel before she left -- didn't have time for hikes 
• https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMrh9JGZVaGRTdlpX4RO7B8zNBvrxnwKPbD9zUh9iZzxVcNoL67ZUfcugfSMM8OqQ?key=Y0VGZGdsejlXakZvNUtrR0ktdy1tYjFHSV9hTV9R
• Andy & Joan Darling drove up from Phonix early Thursday morning and we did Soldiers pass to side trip on Brin's mesa.  Elaine picked us up at Jordan Road  Then Friday morning, we did Marg's draw trail one-way before they left.  See this link to photos:
• https://photos.app.goo.gl/q6oSuVX5pWSU6skh6
• Nancy & Mark came up from Phoenix on Friday eve -- and left Sunday late morning. 
• Saturday Mark and I did West Fork to the official trail end -Link to photos:
• https://photos.app.goo.gl/71NUwjwxBRxRsoM37
• and climbed to top of Cathedral Rock on Sunday morning before they left.
• https://photos.app.goo.gl/WHc5fb4KFZ41Kic86
• Hurricane Rosa came up from Baja area and brought rain for about 3 days during our second week -- no more visitors! 
• https://photos.app.goo.gl/uDk8H7T3XBePtCBJ6
• Thursday Midgley bridge. Elaine dropped me off and I did Wilson Canyon then Jim Thompson trail to Jordan Rd. Some water in creeks from rain earlier in week
• https://photos.app.goo.gl/qmazMzKU1b1YutsE9
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April 2016 in Sedona

We stayed in Villa 1114 from April 20 to May 4th. It was warm & sunny first few days, then cool and light showers through the second half of our stay. There had been very little rain in Sedona prior to our arrival, and there were fewer wildflowers than I've ever seen at that time of year. However because of the light showers we had, by the end of our stay there were a few cacti in bloom. We were taping Elaine's foot due to ruptured ligament, and awaiting her new foot brace. She was also on the Fast Metabolism Diet. But we did enjoy the new, expanded Whole Foods 'bar" where Elaine found foods that were legal for her diet, and I enjoyed some excellent raw oysters & craft beer.

On the first day, Elaine dropped me at Midgley Bridge trailhead, and I did the Jim Thompson trail to the Jordan Road trailhead. I did a few little side "paths" off of the main trail to viewpoints for photo ops.
https://goo.gl/photos/tLpwHgY4gwX81HHJA














































On the second day, Elaine dropped me at Soldiers Pass trailhead, and I went around Ant Hill trail to Grand Central to behind post office and walked back to Arroyo Roble.





















Interesting how some trees appear to have twisted as they grew


Here is a link to photos from Valley of the moon parhttps://goo.gl/photos/ViRYzJCczgnp2s3LAk. Note that the trees in the most picturesque spot in all of Arizona have now grown so that they block part of the view of Cathedral Rock and hide part of the creek. I think Sedona, or the National Forest should hire a professional, or a team of professionals to plan either pruning or clearing part of the view, while leaving it look natural. It would take significant skill to do it properly.
On our last day, Elaine dropped me at the Bell Rock Trailhead and I did the Courthouse Butte Trail. Elaine picked me up at the Bell Rock Pathway Trailhead. Link to photo album












George and Diane Kovacic Visited 4 nights -- They took us to a wonderful late lunch at Javelina Cafe - I had excellent Chile Rellenos.




Trails with George & Diane - Valley of Moon, Fay Canyon, & West Fork - Couldn't find parking at Airport trail after several tries. In fact it appeared that a lot of the trailhead parking was very full for a relatively slow time of year.


Here is a link to photo album of our hike up the Fay Canyon. We went to the designated end. There was no water in the creek.

Here is a link to album of our West Fork hike. We did all 13 crossings to the designated end. Lilacs were in bloom at the beginning of the trail.


Nancy & Mark for weekend -After garage sales on Saturday, and a quiet afternoon because of rain. Rain also on Sunday. But rain brought out flowers for Monday hike On Monday, Elaine dropped me at Jordan Road trailhead.

Took "off road" hike looking for angel falls in light shower -- started Jim Thompson trail and then followed what appeared to be a trail, but might have been a deer or javelina trail. Found some great overlooks, but did not get to the falls, that was certainly dry anyway. Maybe should have gone up Brin's Mesa and forked off from there. Here is a link to photo album:



I had gotten confused about the names of many of the local plants. So because weather was very unstable, I decided to take a relatively close trail while Elaine, Nancy and Mark went out for garage sales. I walked the Carruth Trail and took photos of ID tags placed by an explorer scout 20 years ago. The trail is like a nature trail loop near Posse Ground Park, a dog park a swim center, and elementary school. Views from the trail are very nice. Hopefully it will help serve as a reference when I try to figure out names in the future.

Here is a link to my photo album: https://goo.gl/photos/GDSJXYpf5rczEmw18































































































Had a Brisket Sandwich at Outlaw Grill in Sedona. Place used to be Sally's that had excellent, and reasonably priced barbecue and they had their own big smoker box, Outlaw Grill has been open for 11 months. Owner also has Grasshopper Grill in Cornville, which is larger and where they presumably smoke their meats. Menu is mostly burgers. Prices are relatively very high for a restaurant that is clearly in a very "low rent" location on the back alley. Meat wasn't very smoky, and was drowned in an overly sweet barbecue sauce. Apparently no choice of sauce, and I forgot to ask for it on the side. Fry's were good -- but for $13? It is clear that Sedona restaurants seem to "gouge" the tourists. That is why the timeshares, with kitchens, can make visits to Sedona more reasonably affordable.

September 2015 in Sedona

Sean drove to Sedona with us and we stayed in Villa 1114 at Arroyo Roble for 2 weeks starting on September 21st. Sean flew home after 8 days, and Suzanne came the day later and drove home with us


Nancy and Kay visited for 2 nights near the beginning of our stay. Weather was relatively warm and dry at the beginning of our stay, but on the last few days of the trip we had lots of showers and it cooled off.

Fay canyon with Sean -- Went up Fay Canyon and back -- pretty dry! Saw arch, and fellow hikers pointed out the "wine goblet" formation further up trail from the arch. At the end, we picked our way further up the wash in search of possible petroglyphs, but didn't find them -- Here is link to photo album: https://goo.gl/photos/WCfENG3zgbrM9e3Y8

Fay Canyon with Sean in September 2015

Brin's mesa - Started at Jordan Road Trailhead and then turned right at the top of the mesa and went to overlook & returned.  Here is link to photos: https://goo.gl/photos/3f2A2fRKDMEVCUVF7


Tapas Mariposa..dinner Javelina Restaurant with Sean, Nancy and Kay.

Doe Mountain Trail with Seane full circle clockwise at the top of the Doe Mountain Mesa. Saw three small kit foxes running along a ledge.

Hiked Marg's Draw with Sean from Circle K directly toward Damfino Pass and then circle clockwise back around almost to Broken Arrow Trail -- met up with Marg's Draw at South end and returned to Circle K   Here is link to photo album: https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipN6BXCyj0TdSOuOqFtQAqwMqevZitjtRSZ87FKU


Flagstaff Arboretum "outer loop" Trail after Volunteer bird show and tour of local gardens -- Late lunch at Salsa Brava --Diner's Drive-Ins & Dives recommended restaurant--Good burritos and chimichangas, chips & salsa bar.

Blood Moon Eclipse from up Jordan Road Neighborhood

Allen's Bend Trail from Grasshopper Point to Casner Canyon Junction--by Oak Creek -then up across highway to unnamed trail under power lines part way that connected to Wilson Mountain Trail--came down that trail to where it joined Wilson Canyon Trail and ended up at Midgley Bridge where Elaine picked us up.

West Fork to legal end. 13 crossings. Lots of apples & pears on trees near entrance. Fire damage somewhat hidden


Sean swam in Oak Creek behind Arroyo Roble at big pink rock before getting the shuttle to Phoenix Sky Harbor. He was able to find a spot in the current where he could swim a while without moving.  He also found lots of interesting items and critters in the bottom of the creek where he was swimming.

From sedona sean swims Oak Creek Sep 2015

From sedona sean swims Oak Creek Sep 2015

Oct 2015

From sedona sean swims Oak Creek Sep 2015

From sedona sean swims Oak Creek Sep 2015

Bell rock path & part of climb to view

Song low by florida

Suzanne and I hiked Broken arrow to chicken point to little horse. sedona broken arrow to little horse with suzanne  Here is link to album: https://goo.gl/photos/umSKk4DbK4pHchnR8







Clarkville Bali imports page springs fish hatchery oak creek vinyards

April 2015 in Sedona

For the second time in a row, we stayed in unit 1108 at Arroyo Roble "old creekside" for two weeks starting April 21st.   Nancy Lunetta and Kay Coen visited.
While the ladies shopped, I revisited the Cibola Pass trail:

The next morning Nancy and I went up Oak Creek Canyon about a mile to the Grasshopper point trailhead and did the Allen's Bend trail along the creek. Below is slide show:

Thursday night Nancy prepared a classic Sicilian Italian Dinner

We enjoyed it on the patio overlooking the creek, but it was unseasonably cool.

Thursday eve, Nancy & I attended a presentation by Larry Lindahl, a relatively famous photographer, at the Sedona Creative Life Center -- which is just across the creek from Arroyo Roble (but very difficult to get to that way).  Attending the talk was interesting in three ways:

1. It gave me an opportunity to learn more about the Creative Life Center (see this link)which is a beautiful place and a very interesting concept.  
2. I got to learn more about the local archeological society.  
3. And I got to be introduced to the artistry and experiences of Larry Lindahl. He was primarily pitching his new book of photographs, and went into some detail of how he got to the somewhat exotic locations throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona to take the photos.  He also briefly described some of the techniques he used to get some of his fabulous photos. (15 second exposures while enhancing with flashlights, for example)  Here is a link to his web site which has samples of his amazing photos.  To get his photos, Larry went to many locations I had never heard of: Chaco Canyon, Casa Rinconada, Aztec Ruins National Monument, Hovenweep National Monument, Edge of the Cedars State Park, Keet Seal Basin etc.  Since that talk I have already encountered references to those locations.  Definately a worthwhile one hour spent!

Friday Morning, I drove up the canyon to above the West Fork Trailhead, but below the switchbacks where the Cave Springs campground is located.  I parked in the lot by the entrance to the campground where the Harding Springs Trailhead signs are located.  The trail starts across 89A on the East Side and goes up a fairly steep climb up to a plateau that is very nicely forested and has some great overlooks.  There was some light rain when I got to the top, so the views were not as good as they could have been.  But it was really beautiful.

We had a relatively cold, rainy weekend.  It was nice to see the rain!  On Tuesday, Apr 28th, Elaine dropped me off at the Dry Creek trailhead, where the 4WD trail starts.  I then walked either the 4WD road, or the parallel trail past the Devil's Bridge trailhead to the Brin's Mesa Trail.  I went over the pass, and then came down to the Jordan Road trailhead where Elaine met me.   Even though we had recent rain, there were very few signs of moisture anywhere.  But scenery was beautiful, as usual.

Here are other photos from the hike:

On Wednesday, Elaine and I went up to Flagstaff and did a 1.5mi loop around Buffalo Park.  It was particularly beautiful with the snow-capped San Francisco Peaks in view.  Weather was perfect!

For Lunch, we went to Salsa Brava, a restaurant Elaine saw on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  Excellent Mexican food, with unique seasoning flavors.  Also enjoyed their sopapillas!

On our way back down Oak Creek Canyon, we stopped at Cave Spring Campground and walked a trail through the old apple orchard and down along the creek.  All photos from the day are below:

Had a beautiful evening and sunset, so took a few photos along the creek in front of our Arroyo Roble unit's patio:

On Thursday, Elaine dropped me of at the Schnebly Hill Road Trailhead at the end of pavement, and start of Jeep-only road.  I followed the 4WD road or the Mund's Wagon trail that criss-crosses each other on the way up, depending upon how I felt, or the view.  It was a nice, gentle hike going up, and I went past Merry-Go-Round rock, and around the top to the Schnebly Hill Overlook, which looks down on Oak Creek on the other side.  According to GPS, the hike up was 5.32 mi, and I started at 4400 ft elevation and ended up around 5900 ft. Below are photos from the uphill trip.

From the Viewpoint, Casner Canyon Trail goes down to Oak Creek.  It was a well-marked trail, but I have the feeling it isn't used very much.  A lot of the trail was loose rock, and there was at least one spot where a very large rock had fallen onto the trail.  At the bottom, I had to wade across Oak Creek, then joined Allens Bend trail.  I walked Allens Bend trail to Grasshopper Point, went up the entrance road partway and re-joined Allens Bend trail which went South to Midgley Bridge.  At the bridge, I was finally able to get cell phone reception so I could call Elaine to pick me up there.  The way down was about 4.08 mi, and descent was from 5900 ft to 4300 ft.  Below is slideshow from that portion of the hike

On our last full day of our Spring 2015 two week visit to Sedona, Elaine dropped me off at the Broken Arrow Trailhead.  Our friend Barbara Glass recommended a new trail, called "Hog Heaven" --and it was the trail of the month in Sedona Monthly Magazine for April 2015.  The trail was about a 3 mile loop and had under 500 ft elevation change.  Through most of the hike I could either see & hear jeeps from the Broken Arrow trail to Chicken Point, or after crossing the saddle, I could see and hear highway and homes.  However, even though it wasn't far from civilization, the trail was beautiful with lots of excellent vistas.   Below are photos from the hike: