Coffee Pot Trail

Coffee Pot Trail - March 31, 2012 

Last week we tackled Coffee Pot Trail (the second of the 'easy' trails we picked from our hiking book). Can you spot the coffee pot in the picture above? 

This one truly is an easy walk and the views are beautiful. The trail is marked with the traditional red rock baskets in some spots, but in other spots you might wonder if you are going in the right direction. You'll see markers for Thunder Mountain Trail, Tea Cup and others but not for Coffee Pot. 

Never fear! Pay attention and look for the unmarked split in the trail. You'll see a bush with a ring of rocks around it. Stay to the left here and wind around. Eventually, you'll get the Coffee Pot red rock formation in your sites and head in that direction to begin your trek up the red rock. 


When you get to the apron of the rock formation, you will walk across some flatter areas of rock and test your balance on some narrower, rounded mounds of rock that climb up toward the base of the Coffee Pot. Like all the rock formations in Sedona, the shape and look of the Coffee Pot will change as you see it from a different perspective. 

Eventually, you will find yourself standing directly under the spout of the pot (which by now looks nothing like a coffee pot) and you'll have great views of Court House Butte, Snoopy Rock, Ship Rock and the valley. Uptown Sedona is hidden behind a ridge and, from this vantage point, it doesn't seem to exist! 

If you take your time and stop along the way to take lots of pictures (like we did), you will get there in about an hour (the trek is only about a mile). The trip down to the parking lot will take you about 45 minutes. 

Sedona attracts many visitors from all 50 states and from many countries. Our hikers are friendly and helpful. Don't hesitate to ask directions. Bring your hiking book or map and lots of water! Once you have hiked among the red rocks, you will never be the same! 

Sincerely, Sluggish Sam

During our climb, we were treated to a view of some skilled rock climbers, scaling the tall rock in this picture to get to the small knob on the top! 

Submarine Rock Hike

At the beginning of this year, I decided to take up the task of completing every documented hike in Sedona, AZ. If you know Sedona, you know that it is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I am very fortunate to live here with my husband and we both love the area. Work takes us away from nature and why ON EARTH are we living here, if not to enjoy the paradise around us? 

SO...I decided to grab my old hiking book and pick a hike (easy hikes for starters). While we have already completed a number of hikes since we moved here in December 2006, we will probably do these again to document them. We took our first 'scheduled' hike on 3/10/12 and we will continue to schedule our hikes as often as work and time permit.

Join us in the adventure!

Submarine Rock - March 10, 2012

This hike is listed as 'easy' in the hiking book, and some of it certainly IS easy but some of it is what I would consider moderate. I am not in the best physical condition and, hopefully, this project will help me get in shape. Still, there are a few spots on this trail where you will have to climb up on the rock...hands and knees...or slide down in order to save knees and back and ensure you will not fall. The main issue with calling this hike 'easy' is that, if you really want to see the view from Submarine Rock, you will have to climb up to get to the top. So, if you aren't able to make the climb, you could get to the rock and find yourself looking up at everyone else while they take pictures and smile at their accomplishment! 

The trail is not marked well in some spots, so you run the risk of heading to Chicken Point and having to double back. If you make it to the top, you will find some great views. Submarine Rock shares part of the Broken Arrow trail which is the stomping grounds of Pink Jeep Tours. So, be prepared to stand on Submarine Rock and watch the jeeps crawling their way across the rocks on the opposite side of the valley and down via a rather hairy trail which makes everyone on the jeep squeal! Sound carries in these canyons and valleys so you will be regaled with laughter and screaming while you sit on Submarine Rock and take in the view! After you climb down the rock, take the jeep road out to the parking lot. It is faster and easier than the way you came!

If this blog, or the pictures of Sedona you find on the internet, makes you want to come to Sedona and hike, be sure you bring plenty of sunscreen, water and good hiking boots! We'll see you on the red rocks!

Yours truly, Sluggish Sam