Click on photos for larger images. Sometimes you have to refresh the page to re-activate this feature. Hide Slide Show (you will have to refresh the page to see it again)

Sedona, AZ

May 8 - May 15, 2022 -- $1400 ★

Important Note


This trip is day-hiking / base camping only.



Trip Description


Sedona's jaw-dropping red rock beauty makes it a life-list destination not only for adventure travelers such as yourself, but for just about everyone including the people that marvel at your intrepidness (intrepidity?) for undertaking a week-long trip. Sedona's savagely beautiful and varied ecosystem can freeze your bones at night and warm your heart the next day. Whether it's the dominating presence of monolithic red rock formations, endless stretches of towering Ponderosa Pine Forests or the ubiquitous spiritual vortices, Sedona (part of the Coconino National Forest) has it.


We will be visiting this visually stunning hiking wonderland just as the temperate Spring unfolds. It's prime time to visit, so why not join us to see a wonderful place and jump start your fitness level?


Our trek will begin in Phoenix. We'll shuttle up to Sedona and set up camp in a front country campground complete with a coin-op shower (Covid pemitting), fire rings, pit toilets and picnic tables. Every day, we'll experience another beautiful day-hike to give you a varied perspective of the area. One entire day will be devoted to visiting various vortices (for those that seek out their evanescent vibrations) and on another day, we'll shuttle up to Flagstaff for a Full Adult Adventure Course at Flagstaff Extreme Adventures (American Ninja Warrior hopefuls take note). It all adds up to one unforgettable excursion.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Spring is a great time to visit Sedona. Expect daytime hiking temperatures into the 70s & 80s and nighttime temperatures to possibly still be cold -- perhaps in the 40s & 30s, though it may reach the 90s during the day or freeze at night. Here are the historical weather averages Expect sunny, fair weather, but be prepared for the possibility of dry, frigid nights.



Probable Trip Leaders

Danielle Piscatelli


Cost

$1400 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Phoenix, AZ (PHX) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals at the start and end of the trip and any gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 5 front country campground nights, 6 days of trail meals, Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course, ground transportation, permits, fees and 2 awesome guides.


Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. While tips are not required or expected, if your guides have served you well, please consider a gratuity so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Difficulty

Although the trails can be somewhat rugged, our hiking distances are not overly aggressive. Furthermore, our hikes are day-hikes carrying relatively small amounts of weight. However, expect to carry at least 4 liters (8 pounds) of water to ensure that you're hydrated. Elevation changes are fairly moderate but there are climbs, making this trip both fun, sometimes challenging and good for beginners.


Back to top

 

Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Packing List
Sign up Now!

Itinerary


Sunday, May 8, 2022

Fly or drive into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The best time to arrive is between Noon-3PM, but if you can save a significant amount by arriving a few hours earlier or later, then do so.

Take the free airport shuttle to Sheraton Phoenix Airport Hotel Tempe, 1600 S 52nd St, Tempe, AZ 85281, 480-967-6600

Equipment shakedown

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Distribution of trail mix (make your own from our ingredients)

Trip to REI Chandler, 870 N 54th St, Chandler, AZ 85226, for forgotten or last minute equipment

Go out for dinner at a local restaurant. Cost of dinner not included in trip cost.



Monday, May 9, 2022

Second set of before body composition measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

Free breakfast at hotel

Shuttle 3 hours to Sedona

Start hiking at Purtyman Trailhead, elevation 5110'

Hike 0.9 steep, switchbacked uphill miles to Purtyman, elevation 6350'

Hike 0.9 steep downhill miles to Purtyman Trailhead, elevation 5110'

Shuttle to Cookstove Trailhead, elevation 5500'

Hike 0.6 steep miles to a view at 6320'

Hike 0.6 miles back down to the trailhead, elevation 5500'

Shuttle to Cave Springs Campground

Set up base camp, sites A05 & A06

Camp at Cave Spring Campground

Miles today: 3.0. Total miles: 3.0

Bailout: Route 89A


Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Vortex Day

Visit Airport Vortex

Optional: Hike 3.3 mile loop around airport

Visit Cathedral Rock Vortex

Start hiking at trailhead, elevation 4040'

Hike 1.7 miles to Cathedral Rock, elevation 4964'

Hike 1.7 miles back to trailhead, elevation 4040''

Visit Bell Rock Vortex

Optional: Hike 3.4 mile loop around Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte

Camp at Cave Spring Campground

Miles today: 10.2. Total miles: 13.2

Possible bailout: Airport, Route 179


Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Shuttle to Brin's Mesa Trailhead, Forest Rd 152, elevation 4640'

Hike 1.5 slightly uphill miles to trail intersection, elevation 4930'

Hike 2.0 more miles on Brin's Mesa to Jim Thompson trailhead, elevation 4520'

Hike 0.6 miles via Cibola Pass to a trail intersection, elevation 4520'

Hike 0.5 miles via Devil's Kitchen to a trail intersection, elevation 4510'

Hike 1.7 miles via Soldier Pass to a trail intersection, elevation 4930'

Hike 1.5 slightly downhill miles back to the starting trailhead, elevation 4640'

Camp at Cave Spring Campground

Miles today: 7.8. Total miles: 21.0

Possible bailout: FR 152, FR 633


Thursday, May 12, 2022

Shuttle to Sterling Pass Trailhead, off of route 89, elevation 4800'

Hike 2.1 uphill miles over Sterling Pass, elevation 6000' and then downhill to Vultee Arch spur trail, elevation 5190'

Hike 0.2 uphill miles to Vultee Arch, elevation 5310'

Hike 0.2 downhill miles to the Vultee Arch Trail, elevation 5190'

Hike 1.5 downhill miles to the Vultee Arch Trailhead, elevation 4800'

Hike 3.6 miles back to the the shuttle vehicles, elevation 4800'

Camp at Cave Spring Campground

Miles today: 7.6. Total miles: 28.6

Possible bailout: FR 152, FR 633


Friday, May 13, 2022

Shuttle to Flagstaff for Flagstaff Extreme Adventures for a full adult course. This is where you can start your training for American Ninja Warrior!

Camp at Cave Spring Campground

Miles today: 0.0. Total miles: 28.6


Saturday, May 14, 2022

Shuttle to Harding Spring Trailhead, elevation 5440'

Hike 0.8 steep uphill miles to Harding Spring with somewhat of a view, elevation 6190'

Hike 0.8 steep downhill miles to the Harding Spring Trailhead, 5440'

Break Camp. Pack everything into shuttle vehicle(s)

Shuttle to Doe Mountain Trailhead, elevation 5030'

Hike 0.6 steep uphill miles to Doe Mountain, elevation 5030'

Hike 0.6 steep downhill miles to Doe Mountain Trailhead, elevation 4620'

End of hiking portion of the trip

Miles today: 2.8. Total miles: 31.4

Possible bailout: Forest Rd. 152C

Shuttle back to Phoenix and check into Hyatt Place Tempe Phoenix Airport, 1413 W Rio Salado Pkwy, Tempe, AZ 85281, 480-804-9544

"After" body composition measurements taken

Dinner and Awards Ceremony (Dinner not included in trip cost).

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, May 15, 2022

Free Hotel Breakfast

Take free airport shuttle


Back to top