Sedona 🏜️｜A Hiking Paradise in the Heart of the Red Rocks

📍 Coconino National Forest Following a friend’s advice, I spent just two days and one night here—but packed in four incredible hikes that made my first Sedona trip unforgettable! 🌄🥾 🌵 Mescal Mountain Trail ⭐️⭐️ Relatively flat but the longest of the four. Lush vegetation with towering agave flower stalks often blocking the view. Dramatic red rock formations loom in the distance. 🏞️ Boynton Canyon Trail ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Scenery is pleasant but not spectacular. The Subway Cave at the end is the main highlight. The final climb is covered in fine sand and quite steep with few handholds. An easier detour is available to the left for those who prefer less risk. 🌲 Dry Creek Trail ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The most peaceful and natural trail—perfect for quiet hiking. Crosses dry riverbeds and passes through dense juniper and manzanita shrubs. Devil’s Bridge at the end is even more thrilling in person! Sat there resting while watching tourists strike the classic “arms wide open” pose for photos 😂📸 ⛰️ Cathedral Rock Trail ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Short but intense—less than 1 mile yet relentlessly steep. Several viewpoints connected by bare rock sections requiring scrambling. The trail ends at a saddle between two peaks with sweeping views over Verde Valley. Reaching the top at sunset offers the most breathtaking golden hour scenery! 🌅🧡 🔴 Red’s Pro Traveler Tips: 1️⃣ A Red Rock Pass ($5/day) is required for parking at popular trailheads—buy online or on-site. 2️⃣ Skip Mescal Trail if you’re short on time or energy—it’s the least scenic. 3️⃣ Wear shoes with strong grip for Cathedral Rock—it’s steep and rocky! 👟 4️⃣ Dry Creek has sandy/dusty sections—consider bringing a dust mask like mine to avoid a muddy face 😷💨 Sedona’s trails blend challenge, beauty, and a bit of magic—each offering something unique. Already dreaming of my next trip back! 🤩✨ #Sedona #Hiking #Arizona #TravelUSA #RedRocks #Adventure