Cathedral Rock Trail – Sedona
1.5 mile (2.5 km.) short and steep climb. Starting with a short easy walk form the parking lot you reach a bare rocky section and scarmble up to the base of a crevasse in the rock. The easiest way has been marked with basket cairns. The crevasse rises at a 45-degree angle for approximately 40 ft. Hand and footholds make the ascent manageable, but for those who are wary of heights, this portion might be a deal breaker. (I waited there while Chris went up). As you climb, the incline is less steep but the elevation gain is significant. The sandstone seems to offer just the right handholds and footholds on its surface but in two sections the way is not evident and you can watch the different ways in which people attempt to make it up these sections. A rocky staircase, and a few switchbacks past an elegant juniper tree are all that’s left. A sign at the top stating “End of Trail” greets you. A good workout for such a short trail. We later heard that this a popular trail at sunset but for Chris, early morning, with only a couple of other hikers was magical.
Bell Rock- Sedona. One of the most popular vortex hikes as it is very easy to get to, has a large parking lot and a partially accessible walkway. We walked to the base to take photos but Chris had climbed Cahtedral rock earlier, so we did not go up. This area has a lot of options for trails and on the ‘rock’ you can scramble any which way and up to whichever level you are comfortable with.
Devil’s Bridge Trail no. 120 – Sedona
https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55292
Again, an early start to the trailhead paid off. When we arrived there were several cars – on our way out several hours later cars were circling. With a high clearance vehicle there is a road that cuts the trail by a third (we could have, but didn’t). You can also walk the road and make the hike much shorter. We took the longer, but still easy path along a ridge, through a stream bed, then up the rocky incline to the base of the bridge. The trail divides here -one going to the top and the other under the bridge. To the top, you go up a steep, natural rock staircase to a wide open area that offers some fantastic views. Keep going up another staircase and you reach the level that leads directly to Devil’s Bridge. If you have the nerve, you can walk across the top – Photo OP! Back down at the base is a short trail leading to the underside of the bridge. Looking up at the arch gives a whole new perspective of mother nature’s architecture skills. Beautiful.
Devil’s Bridge in Sedona 
Devil’s Bridge Sedona
