Sedona easy / moderate trail advice

[sdnative]

Hey all,

I will be heading up to Prescott for an event next week with the family and hoping to hit a trail or two while in the area. I will probably head over to Sedona the next day as I personally have never been there and it is a place I have always wanted to see. I will need to drive home to San Diego that evening so will have probably have until early afternoon to spend there.

Can anyone recommend some family rated trails suitable for a stock 200 Land Cruiser with 33" AT tires (still have the running boards)? I have Broken Arrow and Schnebly Hill Road on the list, but I am reading the latter is pretty rough now? Are these manageable in a stock LC and with time constraints? Any other trails I should consider?

Also any recommendations for clean reasonably priced accommodations in the area if needed? Good places to get some lunch?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ARJMN]

You nailed the two I was going to suggest. Broken Arrow has lines from mild to moderate, the only slightly hairy mandatory section if the stairs, but only because it is a bunch of ledges that are somewhat polished. Schnebly is more of a really rough road with great scenery. Be prepared for a gaggle of pink jeeps on both. Broken Arrow is best done early, and Schnebly is easy all day.

 

[sdnative]

Great thanks for the reply. Slight change of plans we will be staying an extra day so that means a full day in Sedona.

I have watched a few video of the staircase and I think I'll be ok if careful.

So I think the plan is to head over to Sedona from Prescott early and hit BA before the pink jeeps swarm in. Then run Schnebly later afternoon and up to the rim to watch the sunset. Then back to Prescott after. I assume there are no access restrictions in place right now?

Any other must sees? Short hikes? Food? Not at all interested in the religious stuff there.

 

[ARJMN]

I may not be the best one to answer that question. I find Sedona itself to be little more than a delay in me getting to the good stuff outside of town. You will get a fair taste of the area with your current plan. Stay the course and enjoy the slower pace.

 

[Clunky]

Great thanks for the reply. Slight change of plans we will be staying an extra day so that means a full day in Sedona.

I have watched a few video of the staircase and I think I'll be ok if careful.

So I think the plan is to head over to Sedona from Prescott early and hit BA before the pink jeeps swarm in. Then run Schnebly later afternoon and up to the rim to watch the sunset. Then back to Prescott after. I assume there are no access restrictions in place right now?

Any other must sees? Short hikes? Food? Not at all interested in the religious stuff there.

There are a lot of family friendly trails west of Sedona. You can access them off of 89A via FR 525 - or via the end of Dry Creek Road. Honanki and Polatki Heritage sites are out there. Also look for "Robbers Roost".

 

[sdnative]

There are a lot of family friendly trails west of Sedona. You can access them off of 89A via FR 525 - or via the end of Dry Creek Road. Honanki and Polatki Heritage sites are out there. Also look for "Robbers Roost".

Thanks for the suggestions. Looks like Honanki and Polatki are closed at the moment.

Robber's Roost looks great, and I should be able to park at the actual trailhead vs the car lot cutting the hiking distance down to 2 miles.

 

[blatant]

the Mingus Mt loop is pretty nice, and cool, still fairly hot here in the afternoons, Sedona included.

 

[Clunky]

Honanki was open yesterday, so it could still be worth checking out. Yes, you'll be able to drive all the way up to the trail head for robber's roost. There's nothing real challenging, just a real short spot close to where passenger cars have to park and a it's a little bumpy at the very end.

I just took a friend on Broken Arrow today and had a bit of an adventure with a fallen tree across the road about 3/4 of the way down the steps. It's all clear now.

 

[richardlillard1]

I would also vote for Broken Arrow, great trail.

 

[-Spike-]

I would also vote for Broken Arrow, great trail.

Pretty sure you scratched your left rear flare there. Might want to check it.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Broken arrow is a good one, definitely do it early. The stairs are intimidating, but there's really nothing challenging about them. Go slow.

I avoid sedona proper, i'm just there for the outdoor activities (arguably the best mountain biking trails in the US)... but if you must, Hideawayhouse is decent and has a nice patio. Driving up 89a is very pretty... but don't stop in the road to take pictures, find a spot to pull over.

Another point, be extra nice since you have CA plates... "californian" has become somewhat of a derogatory term, especially in Northern AZ.

 

[sdnative]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the input. I think we have a rough itinerary figured out, Planning on running BA early, then probably hiking to Robbers Roost, lunch and maybe finding a nice spot along Oak Creek either in town or north of town along the 89A for the kids to play in the water, then finally heading up to Schnebly Hill later in the afternoon into the evening to watch the sunset. Of course this could change but at least we have a rough game plan.

 

[Clunky]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the input. I think we have a rough itinerary figured out, Planning on running BA early, then probably hiking to Robbers Roost, lunch and maybe finding a nice spot along Oak Creek either in town or north of town along the 89A for the kids to play in the water, then finally heading up to Schnebly Hill later in the afternoon into the evening to watch the sunset. Of course this could change but at least we have a rough game plan.

If you're going to lunch after Robber's Roost, I'd recommend "Up the Creek" restaurant on Page Springs Road.

 

[sdnative]

I just realized Robbers Roost is an hour out of town. That may be too much driving for the family, especially coming back to Sedona after. Bummer looks like a great hike. We'll see.

 

[Somebodyelse5]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the input. I think we have a rough itinerary figured out, Planning on running BA early, then probably hiking to Robbers Roost, lunch and maybe finding a nice spot along Oak Creek either in town or north of town along the 89A for the kids to play in the water, then finally heading up to Schnebly Hill later in the afternoon into the evening to watch the sunset. Of course this could change but at least we have a rough game plan.

If you'll shoot me a PM I know of a uncrowded little shallow oak creek spot I'd be willing to share

cat's out of the bag on wet beaver unfortunately, that place is trashed, otherwise I'd suggest it.

 

[Funner]

Perfect day?
Broken arrow first. Take schnebly hill road up toward munds park, then a short jaunt to flagstaff. Lunch in flagstaff at oreganos, it’s a great family oriented Italian restaurant and pizzeria. Then back down through oak creek into Sedona and then a local hotel or back to Prescott. You will see a ton of beautiful scenery and oreganos is a great place to eat, sit on the patio if weather permits.

 

[tls3601]

The Pink Jeep parade on Broken Arrow starts at 8am and runs all day. Got on trail EARLY to beat the touristo’s....

 

[sdnative]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

The drive from SD to Prescott was pretty eventful. Hit a coyote crossing the road on the 95, luckily it went under the center of the truck and the skids saved me from any damage. Saw a buck deer standing right off the road on the 60. Saw what I believe was a sidewinder rattlesnake crossing the road also on the 60. And saw a couple Javelinas just south of Prescott.

We got kind of a late start leaving Prescott so didn't get to Sedona until around 9:30. The traffic was already bad, wow I can't believe how congested the main streets get. Probably really frustrating for the locals.

Ended up running Broken Arrow first thing. Did the entire loop including the steps and some extra credit sections like chicken point. Damage was minimal considering I was essentially stock with the exception of 33" AT tires. The stairs seemed pretty tore up, I actually didn't recognize them at first from the videos I watched. The rock on the right at top scraped up my running boards a little.

Afterwards we drove around town a bit, played in the creek and had some lunch at Outlaw Grill (great food BTW).

Finally we drove Schnebly Hill out to the 17 then made the long drive back to San Diego. The first half was pretty rough, not challenging just rocky and bouncy.

All in all a great time and we are looking forward to returning when we have more time. Hopefully we can bring the MTBs.