Sedona

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I spent a weekend in Sedona during the beginning of the lockdown in 2020. It was for Memorial Day weekend and some places had been shut down-others, not. Sedona was one of the open locations to visit, and I was in desperate need of some outdoor adventures. Here's a breakdown of how I spent a weekend in Sedona!

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Vortexes

One of the coolest things about Sedona is the healing energies embodying the earth. People come from all over just to experience this natural phenomenon.

There are a total of (4) vortexes of spiraling energy in Sedona, AZ. Folks at https://redrockscenicbyway.com/vortexes/ mention that these vortexes are no necessarily magnetic or electrical but that there are measurable traces of magnetism at the strongest locations.

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They mention that the "subtle energy that exists at these locations interacts with who a person is inside." Meaning that the energy that is felt through the earth is often interacted with the individual's own energy. This resonates with individuals who believe themselves to be empaths and/or are super in tune with themselves and others feelings, emotions, and drivers. This method of healing has been a huge interest of the New Age community as it offers diverse healing treatments and options.

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Whether you believe in energies, the force, God, or not at all, you will still leave Sedona fully rejuvenated with a full cup simply by the nature of its beauty.

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Camping

I often dislike competing for a campsite with tons of other people, especially if we're shoulder to shoulder. It doesn't always offer the peace and quite I'm looking for when I get away to enjoy the wilderness. Don't get me wrong, I do appreciate the convenience of a toilet and shower after a hike, but I am not rookie when it comes to the old-fashioned baby wipe bath and going about my business. I spent many a time in the field without a shower for weeks when I was active duty in the Marine Corps. There are worse things I guess! Summertime is great for this because it's simple to wash with a gallon of water and environmentally friendly suds, and boom, you're clean...ish. Or if you're Wim Hof, the cold won't bother you one bit! So, primitive camping for me is what I really love. The thrill, the views....you can't beat it!

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As a friendly reminder, it is SO important to practice Leave No Trace Principles. What you pack in, you MUST pack out. That includes your toilet tissue and your orange peels, friends. You know what is great to keep in your hiking bag for these things? Biodegradable doggie bags!

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It can be challenging finding primitive campsites, so I use an app called Free Campsites. This particular campsite I found not far from the main hustle and bustle of Highway 89A. All along this particular dirt road, you will find plenty of turn-offs to rack out.

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Things I Consider when primitive camping alone:

1) What is my vantage point? Can I see all of my surroundings/is something blocking my view?

2) What is the direction my vehicle is parked? If I need to make a quick escape, I'm already pointed in the direction I will need to head.

3) What is the overall vibe of the other campers in my vicinity? General age range? Does it look like they've been there longer than 2 weeks?

4) Rule of thumb-if anyone starts asking you questions like, "Are you from here? Are you familiar with this area? Are you here alone?" It's not your job to be polite, but to protect yourself. Stay vigilant and go find another spot to camp. Most people are just being friendly, but I've had my run-ins with those with different agendas. Don't be afraid to be assertive and posture yourself. You don't owe anyone anything.

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Hiking

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Devil's Bridge

Before any hike, I plan! You never know what the cell service is going to be like in places like Sedona, and FYI, it SUCKS! That is why I use the app All Trails where I can pre-download all sorts of maps of every hike I want to do prior to getting to my destination. I always download the topographic map because it provides contour lines that helps to know elevation and different geographical features as reference points. The great thing about this app is that it allows you to use it similar to a GPS while you're driving. It will tell you if you are on course or not, and the arrow always points in the direction of the trail. If my phone dies, I always bring a back-up charger just in case. I also have a solar powered lantern than can charge my phone as well.

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It is also very important to give a friend or loved one a head sup of your itinerary. Just in case things go awry, they can narrow down a search based on your last known location. Even if you think you're on a safe, easy hike, ANYTHING can happen, and it's always best to be safe and over-prepared than not at all.

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I went to Sedona at the end of May where the weather was fairly warm mid-day in the mid to upper 70s (F). It was in the low 60s in the early morning and evening, so I packed layers to use at my discretion and plenty of water for both myself and my dog Finnegan. Oh yes, all Sedona Trails are dog friendly! So, if you're planning a weekend in Sedona, don't be afraid to bring your pup! There are so many dog-friendly hotels too such as the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock! I stayed there once on a different trip, and it was BEAUTIFUL!

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I digress. Finnegan and I hit up only a couple hikes in Sedona as he got pretty tired from the heat. The first trail we did was Devil's Bridge. It was roughly 4.3 miles and took us about 2 hours. We stopped at the bridge to have some lunch. Finn ate half my sandwich, and we waited in a short line to take a picture on the bridge. I was grateful that everyone was respectful and gave people time to take a picture. I definitely recommend going in the early morning to beat the traffic. It's a heavily trafficked trail, but worth it to me!

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Birthing Cave

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Now the Birthing Cave was probably the coolest hike I did in Sedona...and quite possibly anywhere. It was quiet and discrete which was perfect for an early morning hike. It took some research to find this spot, but luckily my All Trails map guided me along the coordinates of this easy 2-miler, and I was able to use the contour lines on my topographic map to literally see what large land forms I was heading towards. I began this hike at 0630 and had the place all to myself. It was spectacular with such an incredible view! On this hike, just be cognizant if you're hiking with your dog. The trail does narrow a bit at the base of this rock formation and there are some steep inclines.

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I'm sure all of you reading this have a respect and love for nature as I do. So if you go here, please make sure to leave the place better than you found it. If you see trash or peels on the ground, let's all work together and do our part to conserve what we hold so dear! The universe will thank you for it, and we can keep these hidden gems in great conditions together!

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Thanks for reading a long! I hope you got a little value out of this read, and I hope to see you on the trails!

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With love,

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Kelsie

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