Sunday • Day One
We flew into Phoenix arriving at 10:30 AM. We picked up our rental car and once I had the license plate I went online to purchase a weekly Red Rock Pass so that we don't have to pay everytime we parked on a trail. Also, Please have at least one person back home with your information about your vehicle, license plate and where you are heading!
After a quick stop at Taqueria Obregón for our first taste of local flavors in Phoenix, we made a stop at Walmart—waters, snacks, sunblock, sweet treats and a pocket knife!
Head lamps or Flashlight
Bananas
Waters
Sunblock
Granola Bars
Cheese
Guess what? There is also a walmart 19 minutes
from Sedona, in case you need to restock!
It's important to note, we hiked on foot all of the trails, but there are plenty of 4x4 tour jeeps that can help you if you don't feel like hiking for so many miles.
— We were early to check in, and so we didn't waste time for our first hike.
Sugarloaf Loop (2 miles of winding sandstone ⛰️✅ | Level Easy and Amazing views!
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Los Abrigados Resort And Spa 4 Stars
Our Hotel was beautiful, customer service was great, and we were away from the strip but only two blocks, which was great because Sedona can get overcrowded. We enjoyed coming back to a huge outdoor jacuzzi and heated pool open until 11pm at night. I wish they offered breakfast, but they are right next door to an amazing restaurant which we ate in twice
Affordable and delicious Timo Cucina (I had the chicken pesto pasta, Margareta pizza and fried Calamari's)
Our hotel shares parking lot with the popular but highly overpriced shopping center Tlaquepaque | It's worth going, but don't eat here unless you want tasteless food at a high price!
Monday Day 2 • Dawn to Dusk
At 6 am, Sedonuts welcomed us with coffee and doughnuts to go (❤️☕🍩✅), followed by a hearty breakfast at
The Coffee Pot Restaurant (5 stars) and affordable (ate here twice)
Huevos Rancheros with added chorizo and avocado (Big breakfast before our big hikes)
TIPS | Do not forget to bring snacks on your trails!
We chased the morning light up to the Birthing Cave (1.9 miles ) Level Easy but it gets steep closer to the cave.
then ventured deeper on the Boynton Canyon trail toward the Sunway Cave (6.6 miles of red-rock magic). (Level Hard) We tackled the hard, 6.6-mile Boynton Canyon trail toward Sunway Cave—only to discover the cave sits mid-trail, marked by a log-arrow. After hiking to the canyon’s end without spotting it, we had to retrace about two miles back to find the hidden cave.
Tuesday • Sacred Arches & Sunset
Up before dawn for Devil’s Bridge (we made it at 6 am ✅) Almost 5 miles Level Hard
This trail gets busy, so 6 am is key. When you reach the devils bridge, there will be a line of a happy crowd, excited to take your photo when is your turn. The bridge looks narrow in photos, but I can assure you it's safe.
We hiked Cathedral Rock for a sunset that painted every crevice rose and gold—only to go back down the canyon in complete darkness! So please be aware of timing
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Wednesday • My favorite hike! You can rent a tour jeep for the same view- but we hiked it all way way all 8.9 miles
We set out for the “Merry-Go-Round” Road loop——very popular place for a specific picture perfect spot, only to find that it was so dangerous to get on this particular rock for a photo, so we did not take the very famous merry go round photo, not worth falling 300 feet below. This is important, to be aware of what you are putting yourself through, and safety is most important. However, this was my favorite trail and views, they were absolutely amazing.
Here we removed our shoes, did some grounding, had some snacks and really took the time to take it all in. It was absolutely remarkable experience. We had the canyon to ourselves for at least 1 hour
We headed out at 10pm
I turned off my car in Sedona’s canyons and was blown away by how many stars filled the sky—stargazing is huge in the Southwest because the dark skies and red-rock views make it truly magical.
Last Day Thursday • Took a late night flight on purpose (9:30pm)
Gentle Unwinding | Swimming In Canyons
Our final morning began with a slow stretch in the hotel jacuzzi
We spent the afternoon treasure-hunting in thrift shops (Twice Nice)
Amazing Lunch at Wildflower Restaurant (Had Southwest Salad with Salmon) Amazing views
To close our journey, we picnic-ed at Crescent Moon Ranch $15 per vehicle
for the most amazing dip in the canyon river! 
Reflections on the Journey
i’m so drawn to the Southwest’s red canyons—they fill my heart with joy, clear my mind, and reset my spirit. wandering among those ancient cliffs feels like coming home, grounding me in the moment and weaving a deeper connection with myself and everyone I share the trail with. maybe i’m a Southwest girl at heart, because those crimson walls stir a contentment in me that words can’t fully capture. i’m endlessly grateful for it.
