by The Goat | Aug 27, 2019 | Grand Canyon, Hiking
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Grand Canyon in the Winter
Planning a winter getaway? Think that hitting some great trails, seeing ridiculous scenery, and checking things off the bucket list is a summer-only kind of gig? Think again. The cooler months in Grand Canyon provide some of the best opportunities to explore everything that it has to offer, and not have to fight the crowds to do it. The Goat gives you some quite convincing reasons why visiting Grand Canyon during the winter is an idea that seasoned travelers know is the veteran adventure travelers move.
1. The weather is fantastic
While summer in Grand Canyon is pleasant at the rim, going below the rim is best done very early in the day to avoid midday temperatures that can exceed 100 degrees, even at places like Indian Gardens. Thinking of a summer rim-to-river-backpacking trip? Bag that idea right now. Summer in the Inner Gorge is the stuff of Dante’s Inferno, and temperatures during the day can reach well over 120 degrees in the sun.
Travel smart and do your below-the-rim adventures in the cooler months of October-April, where you may get some chills and even snow on the rim, but down in the Canyon will be some of the best hiking weather you can imagine, with sunny temperatures in the mid 50s and 60s, which any canyoneer will tell you is just perfect. These temps also mean that you don’t need to start your below-the-rim hike in Grand Canyon at 3am, which is pleasant news for most of us, even The Goat
2. The crowds are thin
Of the Grand Canyon’s 6 million visitors in 2016, over half (3.2 million) visited between May and August. That’s a whole lot of people in a short amount of time. The Grand Canyon still exists in the other 8 months of the year, and that’s when you, the expert adventure traveler, wants to come. Enjoy the dramatic views, take all the photos, create all the memories, all without having to fight for every inch during Grand Canyon’s busy summer season, and that’s just at the most popular places on the rim. For those looking to venture below the rim, there’s a good chance you will have most trails all to yourself for potentially miles at a time, especially during the week.
3. Few things are more spectacular than snow in Grand Canyon
Ever seen fresh snowfall grace the orange, purple, red, and cream rocks of Grand Canyon? If not, then you owe it to yourself to do so. Some of the most spectacular scenes in The Canyon are made all that more so when dusted by a few inches of the white stuff. Grand Canyon’s South Rim stands at over 7,000 feet elevation, which means we get plenty of snow here during the winter months. So grab a camera and throw on some snowshoes, winter photos at Grand Canyon are as rewarding as they are spectacular.
4. Permits are much easier to come by
Did we mention the crowds (or lack thereof)? This has a wonderful trickle-down effect for people looking to snag those hard-to-come-by permits for life-list trips. Got shut out of Phantom Ranch? Denied on the Hermit Trail? Shot down on your rim-to-rim? The winter months are perfect time to try for those popular permits, and you have a much better chance of securing the permits for that bucket-list Grand Canyon backpacking adventure November-February.
5. Excellent off-season lodging rates and open campsites
Yet another desirable trickle-down of the lack of crowds is that Xanterra, the corporation that manages many of the accommodations in National Parks including Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon try to lure off-season business by offering deeply discounted rates, particularly if you are wanting to stay more than one or two nights. Grand Canyon’s world-class and historic El Tovar, one of the premier accommodations in the National Park system, is typically booked solid through summer several months in advance. However, there are almost always rooms available in the cooler months. Check out Grand Canyon’s website for information on El Tovar and other lodging opportunities during the off-season.
For the more adventurous, Grand Canyon’s developed campgrounds such as Mather Campground see much less traffic in the off-season. Though it may be for good reason, those with the right gear and appetite will find these campgrounds almost wholly deserted during the winter months. There is nothing quite like sipping a warm beverage whilst watching the sun slip down over Grand Canyon’s horizon right from your camp chair, and having nobody but the birds sharing it with you.
Bonus: Shorter days means later sunrise, earlier sunset
For the photographically-inclined hiker, you know that the best light for photos is early in the morning and in the evenings, when the harsh rays of midday have given way to softer hues and myriad colors. The great news during the cooler months in Grand Canyon is that sunrise comes much later, and sunset comes much earlier, giving you more time to devote to your next great shot and less time chasing sunrises at 4am and sunsets at 9pm in the summer.
For more information about traveling to Grand Canyon, give us a call or reserve a spot on one of our guided geology hiking tours and let our geologist/guides walk you through 1.8 billion years of Earth’s fascinating history!
Going Guided
Hiking and exploring Grand Canyon, or any of the National Parks, is a special experience. Although it is possible to see these places yourself, hiring a guide is a great idea. For instance, guiding services provide logistical support, and plan everything for your best possible trip. They provide a great safety net on the trail, and are trained in backcountry medicine. Above all, they provide a depth of knowledge of the region that turns a walk into a true adventure.
Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism provides all of the support you need, and pairs that with expert geologist/guides. Our backcountry meals use fresh ingredients, and are planned by a professional chef. Furthermore, we provide top-of-the-line gear and passion for the places we explore. In conclusion, you can visit National Parks, but going with a guide can create and even more memorable experience. Don’t be shy, and call us!
Read our blog!
For adventure hiking vacations in a geologic time machine, see our epic tours in Grand Canyon, Utah, and Arizona!
For geological musings read The Goat’s geology blog.
Follow us on Facebookand Instagram
Explore Further, Be Wild, See Through Time — Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism
by The Goat | Aug 27, 2019 | Hiking
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Sedona in the Winter
Perhaps the best-kept locals secret in Sedona is the Red Rock Winter Wonderland. When the rest of the northern part of our beautiful state is covered in snow, Sedona continues to boast fabulous sunshine, comfortable temperatures, and grand adventure opportunities. Snow only adds to the splendor, as the gorgeous red rocks get dusted with the wonderfully white snow that contrasts the sunset red and orange that makes Sedona famous. Add crisp blue skies, world-class hiking and winter mountain biking, and what you have is the perfect winter getaway. We’ll offer up 5 reasons why Sedona is the place to be when the weather gets brisk.
1. The weather is perfect
While summertime temperatures can often be quite warm, winter offers daytime temps in the 60s and 70s, perfect for hiking, mountain biking, or any outdoor exploration adventure. Hiking trails that are typically bathed in summer heat turn into absolutely perfect places to enjoy the newly perpetually sunny skies that make Sedona so grand.
2. But it’s also roaring fireside and warm drinks season
There are few things better in life than a scenic daytime adventure followed by a cozy night by the fire. This can be achieved both in Sedona’s fabulous backcountry, or its very tourist-friendly front country. Temperatures are very comfortable during the day, but it can chill down a bit at night, making a roaring fire and a hot choice beverage a great way to end any daily adventure. Plan a great Sedona winter backpacking trip for roaring campfires, or check out any of Sedona’s world-class hotels, some of which make it a point to serve fireside cocoa and s’mores (Sedona Real Inn & Suites and Amara Resort do it up right).
3. The summer crowds are a season away
Winter is actually the off-season for many of Sedona’s hotels, restaurants, and tour companies. This works well to your advantage, as it gives you the ability to enjoy many of Sedona’s greatest attractions without having to fight the crowds that inevitably flock here during the summer months. This is a perfect time for a guided hiking tour!
4. Romance is in the air
Among the many reasons that couples of all ages visit Sedona is that it is routinely being named among America’s Most Romantic Winter Destinations. In fact, Travel and Leisure Magazine just named it among the top 10 in the country, along with such destinations as Hawaii, New York City, Palm Springs, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, putting Sedona among the premier couple destinations not just in the country, but perhaps the world. Couples traveling to Sedona will find that having world-class hiking, dining, and scenery all to themselves is just about as fire-stoking as it gets.
5. There is so much to do!
Sedona is a doers’ paradise, with something happening in town almost every day. As mentioned, of course, are the hundreds of miles of outstanding hiking and biking trails, but those are not necessarily on the calendar. In fact, winter mountain biking in Sedona is a sought-after tradition for mountain bikers throughout the world!
In addition, visitors can enjoy the Sedona Yoga Festival, The Red Rock Marathon, and The Sedona International Film Festival and Workshop think less crazy Sundance or Cannes) just to name a few. And, as always, our geologist/guidesare ready to take you on a time travel adventure unlike any in the world!
Sedona is a can’t miss destination for those of you yearning for world-class winter adventure, and you can do it here without fighting the crowds, the snow, or the peak-season prices (that’s right, winter=discounts)!
Going Guided
Hiking and exploring Sedona is a special experience. Although it is possible to see these places yourself, hiring a guide is a great idea. For instance, guiding services provide logistical support, and plan everything for your best possible trip. They provide a great safety net on the trail, and are trained in backcountry medicine. Above all, they provide a depth of knowledge of the region that turns a walk into a true adventure.
Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism provides all of the support you need, and pairs that with expert geologist/guides. Our backcountry meals use fresh ingredients, and are planned by a professional chef. Furthermore, we provide top-of-the-line gear and passion for the places we explore. In conclusion, you can visit National Parks, but going with a guide can create and even more memorable experience. Don’t be shy, and call us!
Read our blog!
For adventure hiking vacations in a geologic time machine, see our epic tours in Grand Canyon, Utah, and Arizona!
For geological musings read The Goat’s geology blog.
Follow us on Facebookand Instagram
Explore Further, Be Wild, See Through Time — Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism
by The Goat | Aug 27, 2019 | Hiking, Sedona
Top 5 Hikes in Sedona
Sedona: The very mention conjures up blazing red rock sunsets, towering spires, monolithic cathedrals, and inspiring zen. Another phrase the word Sedona should conjure in your mind is this: world-class hiking. Sedona’s hundreds of miles of wilderness trails presents some of the most excellent hiking in the American Southwest, with sweeping iconic red rock vistas, wildlife, and, if you know where to look, relaxing and fulfilling solitude. Sedona’s hiking trails are also, of course, an excellent place to view the ebb and flow of ancient seas along the Pangean coastline many millions of years ago, making it of very special interest to Blue Marble’s Goat. Here, we have prepared for your hiking pleasure The Goat’s Top 5 Sedona Hiking Adventures. See you on the trail!
5. Bear Mountain, Red Rock-Secret Canyon Wilderness, Sedona
Bear Mountain, one of Sedona’s highest peaks at 6506 ft above sea level, is also one of Sedona’s most spectacular hikes. In addition, given that it is one of the more challenging and rugged trails, it is one of the least populated, as people opt for Red Rock Country’s easier trails. This is excellent news for you, because the reward for hiking the Bear Mountain Trail are some of the most spectacular views Sedona has to offer, which we don’t have to tell you means something. This is also a perfect hike in the cooler months, as the southern aspect and lack of shade maintains warm temperatures in the fall, winter, and spring. From the summit of this red rock monolith, all ten of Sedona’s stratigraphic layers can be seen and counted, making it of special importance to The Goat.
4. Secret Canyon, Red Rock-Secret Canyon Wilderness, Sedona
Secret Canyon is perhaps the quintessential Sedona hiking adventure. This popular trail into its namesake Red Rock-Scret Canyon Wilderness contains some of the most natural beauty of any hike in Sedona, with a cool stream, shade, excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities, fabulous rock formations, and an intimate Sedona canyon experience. What is most special about Secret Canyon, however, is that it is nearly as long, and perhaps even more beautiful than its more famous and populated neighbor Oak Creek Canyon. In any case, Secret Canyon is a tremendous hiking adventure in Sedona, and a wonderful introduction to Red Rock Country.
3. Wilson Mountain, Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, Sedona
The highest peak in Sedona at over 7100 feet above sea level, Wilson Mountains reigns supreme for sweeping views of Sedona and beyond. Excellent for hikers that are looking for more of a challenge, Wilson Mountain offers a rugged and adventurous trail that is a fabulous hike in the cooler months of the year. At the summit, the hiker is treated to dramatic views of Sedona Red Rock Country, Oak Creek Canyon, the Mogollon Rim, and on a clear day, all the way to the San Francisco Peaks north of Flagstaff.
2. Boynton Canyon, Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, Sedona
Boynton Canyon offers up one of the most spectacular canyon hiking experiences in the southwest, with towering red rock spires, buttes, mesas, and even a chance at wonderful solitude. Rock climbers particularly are interested in this beautiful trail, as many of the rock formations here lend an opportunity for some epic routes up the soaring red rocks. For the hiker however, Boynton Canyon is a special place in Sedona, as it is far enough removed from the town and its tourist traps that include the most popular trails, yet close enough to be reached in not much more time than it takes to reach some of the more popular destinations. Goat approved!
1. Loy Canyon, Red Rock-Secret Canyon Wilderness, Sedona
Loy Canyon earns our #1 ranking for one simple reason: diversity. Loy Canyon provides a unique Sedona canyon hiking experience that is unmatched in our humble opinion, with solitude, shade, expansive views down the canyon, and opportunities for excellent overnight trips and trail connecting. After a climb to the base of Secret Mountain, views into Loy Canyon are wide and dramatic, particularly in the morning and evening as soft light bathes the fiery red rocks and creamy sandstones that make Sedona famous. Don’t miss this one!
So there we have it, The Goat’s Top 5 Sedona Day Hikes. You can tackle these wonderful trails yourself, or enhance your experience with one of our fabulous geologist/guides who will let you in on all of Sedona’s secrets. See you on the trail!
Going Guided
Hiking and exploring Sedona is a special experience. Although it is possible to see these places yourself, hiring a guide is a great idea. For instance, guiding services provide logistical support, and plan everything for your best possible trip. They provide a great safety net on the trail, and are trained in backcountry medicine. Above all, they provide a depth of knowledge of the region that turns a walk into a true adventure.
Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism provides all of the support you need, and pairs that with expert geologist/guides. Our backcountry meals use fresh ingredients, and are planned by a professional chef. Furthermore, we provide top-of-the-line gear and passion for the places we explore. In conclusion, you can visit National Parks, but going with a guide can create and even more memorable experience. Don’t be shy, and call us!
Read our blog!
For adventure hiking vacations in a geologic time machine, see our epic tours in Grand Canyon, Utah, and Arizona!
For geological musings read The Goat’s geology blog.
Follow us on Facebookand Instagram
Explore Further, Be Wild, See Through Time — Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism
by The Goat | Aug 27, 2019 | Backpacking, Grand Canyon, Hiking, National Parks
What are the Best Backpacking Trips in Grand Canyon?
Grand Canyon National Park can be a nearly overwhelming place. What do I do? Where should I go? Even for seasoned backpackers, the choices can be endless and exhausting. The Goat has compiled a list especially for you, outlining backpacking trips in Grand Canyon for all skill and experience levels. Enjoy!
5. The Hermit Loop
Time: 3 days, 2 nights
Distance: 18 miles
Difficulty: Undergraduate+
The Hermit Loop is a truly classic Grand Canyon backpacking trip that can be easily accomplished over a long weekend. It is a great hike for those who are looking to take their first backpacking foray into the big ditch, and truly hits all the highlights. Sweeping vistas, interesting side trips, and excellent canyon history await on a trail forged originally by the “hermit of the Grand Canyon”, Mr. Louis Boucher. The route was later improved by the Santa Fe Railroad Line in an attempt to bring mining, then tourism, into the area.
4. Tuckup Canyon via the Stairway to Heaven
Time: 7 days, 6 nights
Distance: 45 miles
Get your defibrillator, this one is not for the faint of heart. Located in one of the most remote parts of Grand Canyon, this long, challenging loop is meant for experienced cannoneers only. This route takes ambitious hikers down Tuckup Canyon, past Shaman’s Gallery (recognized as one of the most spectacular rock art etchings in the American Southwest), through a traverse along the mighty Colorado River, and then up Stairway Canyon. Along the way, there are exciting climbing, route-finding, and scrambling challenges, and . Strap in!
3. Thunder River to Deer Creek
Time: 4 days, 3 nights
Distance: 28 miles
The Thunder River to Deer Creek Loop is perhaps the North Rim’s most fabulous backpacking trip. Multiple water sources, outstanding scenery, and a truly thunderous river. Geologically speaking, Thunder River is one of the most unique features in Grand Canyon. It begins as an underground river (aquifer) up on the Kaibab Plateau. It flows along various fault lines and crustal weaknesses until it breaks loose at the contact of the permeable Esplanade Group (mostly shales) and the impermeable Redwall Limestone, quite literally thundering onto the rocks below.
2. Rim-to-Rim via Phantom Ranch
Time: 4 days, 3 nights
Distance: 19 miles
This is the true Grand Canyon classic backpacking trip. Starting at the North Rim, your descent begins on the North Kaibab Trail as it winds it way down to the Colorado River. Along the way hikers are treated to unspoiled views, soaring eagles, and a well-developed trail. Thru-hikers may camp at Bright Angel Campground, or stay in the lodge at the famed Phantom Ranch. From here hikers may choose to ascend either the South Kaibab Trail (shorter, steeper) or the Bright Angel Trail (more miles) and stay the second night on the Esplanade. After cresting on the South Rim, be sure to gaze upon your North Rim starting point. This is one of the most popular trips in Grand Canyon, so be sure to make your reservations early! For those who want an alternate, consider the Rim-to-River and Back hike.
1. The Escalante Route
Time: 5 days, 4 nights
Distance: 35 miles
Carved by early Puebloan explorers of Grand Canyon, this long traverse of Grand Canyon from the Tanner Trail to Horseshoe Mesa and Grandview is perhaps one of the finest backpacking trips on the planet. There is a little bit of everything Grand Canyon here, as hikers will encounter outrageous views of the Great Unconformity, sandy beaches, a class 3 scramble over the famous Papago Wall, and a spectacular slot canyon carved from billion-year-old Shinumo Quartzite. This route confronts with hikers with the unimaginable scale of Grand Canyon, as it will seem as though you are climbing mountains in a canyon. Grand!
Going Guided
Hiking and exploring Grand Canyon, or any of the National Parks, is a special experience. Although it is possible to see these places yourself, hiring a guide is a great idea. For instance, guiding services provide logistical support, and plan everything for your best possible trip. They provide a great safety net on the trail, and are trained in backcountry medicine. Above all, they provide a depth of knowledge of the region that turns a walk into a true adventure.
Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism provides all of the support you need, and pairs that with expert geologist/guides. Our backcountry meals use fresh ingredients, and are planned by a professional chef. Furthermore, we provide top-of-the-line gear and passion for the places we explore. In conclusion, you can visit National Parks, but going with a guide can create and even more memorable experience. Don’t be shy, and call us!
Read our blog!
For adventure hiking vacations in a geologic time machine, see our epic tours in Grand Canyon, Utah, and Arizona!
For geological musings read The Goat’s geology blog.
Follow us on Facebookand Instagram
Explore Further, Be Wild, See Through Time — Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism
by The Goat | Aug 27, 2019 | Grand Canyon, Hiking
Backpacking the Escalante Route in Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon is a place of limitless wonder and hiking adventure. However, some adventures stand above the rest. The Escalante Route, the winding and spectacular overland route that leads from Tanner Beach to the Tonto Trail, is unequivocally one of the premier backpacking routes in the Grand Canyon, if not the United States or perhaps even the world. In fact, The Escalante Route was named one of “The Top 10 Backpacking Trips of a Lifetime” by Backpacker Magazine in 2012. Backpacking the Escalante Route give the Grand Canyon hiker everything they could want in a single backpacking or hiking adventure in this epic place, and here we will give you five of the most compelling reasons to put this trip on your “must-hike” life list.
1. Remote Solitude
The Escalante Route requires a fit hiker that has experience in Grand Canyon. It also requires at least 4 days to complete, with many people opting to stretch it into even a 5 or 6 day trip. It fits into Grand Canyon’s “primitive” and “threshold” zones, meaning that it steers clear of most of the Grand Canyon’s most popular, or “corridor” areas. All these factors combine to keep the crowds away, and it is unlikely that you will see more than even a small handful of other hikers on this route. Grand!
2. Epic and Unique Geology
On stunning display during your hike linking the Tanner Trail and Grandview Point, are two of the Grand Canyon’s most important and fabulous geologic features: The Great Unconformity and the Butte Fault. In addition, your traverse down to Tanner Beach in the wide open eastern portion of Grand Canyon is markedly different from Inner Gorge experiences further to the west, as the sediments of the Great Unconformity prevail here instead of the much more resistant metamorphic rocks of the famed Granite Gorge. This provides unfettered and dramatic vistas to the Palisades of the Desert, and an almost alpine mountain-like feeling of scale that is unique to this part of Grand Canyon.
3. Stunning Views
Well, after all, it is The Grand Canyon. Stunning views are just part of the epic experience on the Escalante Route, but as mentioned before, the views seen while hiking here are quite unique to the eastern portion of Grand Canyon, as wide-open spaces dominate the topography, and the hiker will be treated to a nearly Rocky Mountain-esque sense of space and scale.
4. Grand Canyon Mining History
During the later portions of your hike to Grandview Point and the South Rim, you will pass by one of the largest and most profitable mining operations in Grand Canyon’s history. You will be treated to old mining equipment, the mine shaft itself, inscriptions on the walls by the men who toiled in its depths, the natural spring where they got their water, and a true sense of human ingenuity and endeavor as you contemplate the thought and work that went into even conceiving of such an operation. As a bonus, you can hunt for excellent Copper minerals such as turquoise, malachite, and azurite.
5. Incredibly Diverse Adventure
Backpacking the Escalante Route will give you all you can handle in the Grand Canyon, both as a hiker and explorer. You will spend a night on the beach, skirt through a spectacular slot canyon carved into quartzite, make a class 3 scramble up the famed 50 foot Papago Wall (with a backside descent that is not for the faint of heart or weak of foot), gorge in outrageous views of the Colorado River, drink from flowing natural springs, and of course revel in your insignificant size in the depths of this Grandest of Canyons.
For more information on hiking the Escalante Route in Grand Canyon, contact us, or reserve your spot and come with our excellent geologist/guides as we delve into the geology, history, and grandeur of this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Going Guided
Hiking and exploring Grand Canyon, or any of the National Parks, is a special experience. Although it is possible to see these places yourself, hiring a guide is a great idea. For instance, guiding services provide logistical support, and plan everything for your best possible trip. They provide a great safety net on the trail, and are trained in backcountry medicine. Above all, they provide a depth of knowledge of the region that turns a walk into a true adventure.
Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism provides all of the support you need, and pairs that with expert geologist/guides. Our backcountry meals use fresh ingredients, and are planned by a professional chef. Furthermore, we provide top-of-the-line gear and passion for the places we explore. In conclusion, you can visit National Parks, but going with a guide can create and even more memorable experience. Don’t be shy, and call us!
Read our blog!
For adventure hiking vacations in a geologic time machine, see our epic tours in Grand Canyon, Utah, and Arizona!
For geological musings read The Goat’s geology blog.
Follow us on Facebookand Instagram
Explore Further, Be Wild, See Through Time — Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism
by The Goat | Aug 27, 2019 | Hiking, Sedona
Everything you need to know for Hiking in Sedona
Every year, thousands of people flock to the iconic red rock formations of Sedona, Arizona. They come from all over the state, all over the country, and all over the world to view and embrace the world famous vistas, world-class hiking, and spiritual zen that makes Sedona so famous. The views here are spectacular, the hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and outdoor adventure limitless, the geology almost confrontational, and the scale grand. But what should you, the savvy adventure traveler, know before you come to this iconic destination? The Goat is here to help you have the best time possible in this epic red rock getaway, including the best trails, the secret spots, and of course, how to make it back in one piece.
Location:
Sedona is located in the Arizona Transition Zone, about 1.5 hours north of Phoenix in Central Arizona.
Sedona can be approached from any direction, but the most scenic routes are from the north or the east. From the north, take Route 89A south from Flagstaff and wind your way through world famous Oak Creek Canyon. This drive is particularly spectacular in the fall, when the aspens, oaks, and willow trees are in full color. Approaching from the east on AZ SR 179 gives you an immediate and full introduction to Sedona’s famous red rocks, as you will see several of the most famous rock formations including Cathedral Rock, Courthouse Butte, and the Mogollon Rim. Take I-17 north from Phoenix and head west on SR 179.
Local’s Secret: Approaching via Schnebly Hill Road is truly the way to go, provided you have a capable (preferably high-clearance 4×4) vehicle. From Interstate 17, take the Schnebly Hill Road exit, and enjoy the backside approach and spectacular views.
Seasons:
Sedona is classified as high desert, with mild winters, hot summers punctuated by rainstorm events known as monsoons, and arid climate vegetation such as cactus, piñon pine trees, manzanita, ocotillo, and yellow marigold. The premier seasons to hike here are September-June, as summer temperatures on the trail can routinely exceed 100 degrees in the middle of the day.
Local’s Secret: Sedona, and its neighbor Oak Creek Canyon, have hikes for all seasons. Oak Creek, in particular, stays cool and shady when it’s too hot to hike in Sedona. Check out West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon Trail, it’s one of the best in the country!
Terrain:
Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon have highly variable terrain, ranging from flat and easy canyon hikes to strenuous mountain climbs and just about everything in between. The soil here is quite rocky, as are most of the trails, so most hikes in Sedona or Oak Creek will require at least some sturdy athletic shoes. In many cases, trails in Oak Creek cross the water, so be aware of the trail you are about to embark and bring the proper footwear.
Summer Activities:
Here is a small sampling of the great activities to engage in while visiting Sedona in the warm months (May-September)
- Hiking – Be sure to get an early morning, or evening start to avoid mid-summer temps
- Mountain Biking – Sedona has world-class sandstone mountain biking trails
- Rock Climbing – Oak Creek Canyon has some of the best technical routes in the state
- Camping – Check out the Forest Service for group sites
- Horseback Riding – Saddle up!
- 4×4 Tours – There are many excellent and adventurous Jeep trails in the surrounding area
- Helicopter Tours – Should the mood strike you, a Red Rock Heli Tour may just hit the spot
- Wining, dining, and exploring the towns of Oak Creek and Sedona
- Kayaking – The Verde River offers some of the most scenic and relaxing paddling in the southwest
Fall/Winter/Spring Activities
When temperatures cool off, there is even more to do in Sedona and Oak Creek!
- Hiking – If there is no snow, winter hiking in Sedona is a must!
- Rock Climbing – Cooler temps open many of the classic routes in Sedona’s red rock country
- Mountain Biking – the wet and cooler temperatures make winter mountain biking a blast in Sedona
- Yoga Retreats
- Wining, Dining, and exploring the towns of Oak Creek and Sedona
For more information about hiking and adventuring in Sedona and Oak Creek, give us a call! Our geologist/guides will be happy to show you around, and point you in the right direction!
Want to know more about our Guided Sedona Hiking Tours?
Going Guided
Hiking and exploring Sedona is a special experience. Although it is possible to see these places yourself, hiring a guide is a great idea. For instance, guiding services provide logistical support, and plan everything for your best possible trip. They provide a great safety net on the trail, and are trained in backcountry medicine. Above all, they provide a depth of knowledge of the region that turns a walk into a true adventure.
Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism provides all of the support you need, and pairs that with expert geologist/guides. Our backcountry meals use fresh ingredients, and are planned by a professional chef. Furthermore, we provide top-of-the-line gear and passion for the places we explore. In conclusion, you can visit National Parks, but going with a guide can create and even more memorable experience. Don’t be shy, and call us!
Read our blog!
For adventure hiking vacations in a geologic time machine, see our epic tours in Grand Canyon, Utah, and Arizona!
For geological musings read The Goat’s geology blog.
Follow us on Facebookand Instagram
Explore Further, Be Wild, See Through Time — Blue Marble Adventure GeoTourism
