Sedona, Arizona: a place with cloud iridescent rainbows in the air and trees twisting from underground crystals. After my amazing time in Tucson, I headed up to Sedona. While there were none of my newly beloved Saguaros, there was so much more.
The Legend, The Myth, THE Sedona
I’m going to start with a fun fact. We all know Sedona for her gorgeous red rocks but did you know she was a person first? Yep! Sedona Miller Schnebly was one of the original settlers and apparently a lovely generous woman. You can find this statue paying homage to her at the Sedona Public Library.
Feel The Vibrations, Feel It Feel It
Sedona was every bit as incredible as expected and a place that activates all of your senses. I felt it. Whatever “it” is. Which I’m on board with believing is energy.
First Stop In Sedona
My first stop was the Sedona Visitor’s Center in Uptown. Here, I stocked up on maps and insider information including the best day and time for each hike. Plus they shared which trails connect providing a more local and less touristy experience. They also gave me something for my National Parks Pass so I could hang it from my rear view mirror when I park at trailheads.
Sedona Sacred Sister’s Yavapai Point Meetup
Since this was a solo trip, I researched for some women’s hiking groups that I could join. I was so excited to find the Sedona Sacred Sister’s Yavapai Point meetup and bonded immediately with Taryn of Radiant Wellness Sedona. In fact, we later hiked Boynton Canyon together (photo credit to her!).
Sedona Spirit Journeys And Private Secret Vortex Tour
Next, given the secrets of the land – I wanted to experience it deeper and found Crystal from Sedona Spirit Journeys. While her beautiful metaphysical and local art store Aligning Light Center offers readings, special items, and sacred tools, I reached out to her as a metaphysical and outfitter tour guide.
Because of her credentials and clearances, she has access to 20 private vortex locations. Crystal was a calming spirit and a wealth of information.
She shared that Sedona was under four different oceans and filled with mesas (flat).
Plate tectonics and tectonic shift caused the land to split, emitting energy from the earth’s center and creating Sedona’s famous buttes (domes).
The red and orange colors come from a combination of limestone (from the ocean floor) and iron (from lava/magma that flowed from a volcano in Flagstaff). With that said, you can see these deposits as horizontal (not vertical) lines everywhere.
Sedona is set up as chakras, Bell Rock is the root. It’s believed that there is a heartbeat in each piece of sand.
Most vortexes are where the Earth’s crust is thin.
Feminine energy moves clockwise, masculine energy moves counterclockwise.
The juniper tree is believed to offer protection, harmony, and serenity. The Navajo use the seeds as spirit guides and ghost beads.
Pack In, Pack Out, Follow The Rules
The most important thing to know about Sedona is that this special place needs our help to survive. When hiking use the “pack in, pack out” theory leaving no trace behind. If you see a log across a trail don’t cross it, STOP. This is a steward’s way of showing you to take an alternate route. Crossing it will ruin the land and “bust the crust” causing hundreds of years of damage by going off trail. It sounds dramatic, but it’s true.
The Trailhead Shuttle Was Great!
I loved using the free trailhead shuttle to Soldier Pass, 7 Sacred Pools, and Devil’s Bridge. The shuttle came regularly and dropped you off /picked you up right at the start of the hike. The rangers were filled with helpful information and happily gave out bottles of water to keep everyone hydrated.
Hike Lesser Known Trails That Connect To Better Known Trails
I also hiked Baldwin which connected to Templeton and then Cathedral Rock. Here I found faces in the rocks, enjoyed Oak Creek, and appreciated the shade.
The Cowboy Club Grille & Spirits Was Great!
I had an incredible meal at the Cowboy Club with great local offerings like cactus fries and corn ribs with prickly pear dip and the best garlic butter shrimp ever!
The restaurant had fun décor and great drinks. It was such a fun find!
…And Then There Was Devil’s Bridge
Nothing was as exciting and challenging as Devil’s Bridge. The hike was doable but challenging with the last few legs being the hardest. But, I did it!
I had to do it and I’m so glad I did! Plus since my amazing Free Country SunFree shirt matched with the sandstone, the pictures looked even cooler! PS – I am LITERALLY obsessed with this shirt! PPS – In case you can’t tell because I wore it for 10 days straight (it washes and dries quickly).
Shabbat Shalom From Sedona!
I visited Sedona on a Friday and thought it would be cool to stop in to the local synagogue – Jewish Community of Sedona and the Verde Valley – for Shabbat services. They could not have been more kind and welcoming. Apparently this happens often as we each stood up and said from where we were visiting!
What You Need In Sedona
When visiting Sedona don’t forget a bottle of water, hat, sunglasses, hiking boots, tall socks, a moisture-wicking shirt with SPF, and to display your National Parks Pass everywhere you park. I also loved my high waisted bike shorts with pockets (big enough to fit a water bottle on each side!).
Check out my full Arizona itinerary as well as my posts on: Tucson; Ben’s Bells; my new Saguaro obsession; Sedona; Antelope Canyon, Tuba City, and the NavajoLand Hotel; Horseshoe Bend and Page, Arizona; and the Cameron Trading Post and Grand Canyon!
Sedona Related Hashtags
#Sedona #Arizona #SoloTravel #VisitSedona #DevilsBridge #SedonaArizona #SedonaAZ #SedonaHiking #Hiking #SedonaVortex #ArizonaHiking #RedRocks #SedonaEscape #VisitArizona #ExploreArizona #Nature #VerdeValley #AZ #Travel #YavapaiCounty #ExploreSedona #SedonaRocks #GoodVibes #Travelgram #TravelBlogger #TravelDiaries #TravelPhotography #Wanderlust #TravelAddict #BeautifulDestinations
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