Broken Arrow and Soldier Pass

Distant Drums RV Resort
Camp Verde, AZ
April, 20, 2015


One of the activities we all wanted to do before Dave and Lynn leave on Saturday were two jeep trails. We did these trails together last year...what a hoot! 

First was Broken Arrow. It is a 3.8 mile trail (round trip) that twists and turns and rattles your bones all the way to Chicken Point. It has several "play areas" on slick rock (Just enough to make my mouth water for Moab.), a couple of scenic stops and one difficult spot called The Steps. 







The first scenic stop is a rock formation called Submarine Rock...

And then there is Chicken Point...this vista can be reached by foot or on two wheels as well.

There is always time to play...slickrock is, by far, my favorite type of trail! 

And Rokhell disappears on The Steps...this spot gives the trail a difficult rating.




Next up was Soldier Pass. It is also a short 2.5 mile trail (round trip) so both are doable in one day. 



It is rated difficult due to several steep ledgy climbs and tight places. 





The trail takes you around The Devil's Kitchen...a huge sink hole formed by water eroding limestone beneath it.  The first recorded history of the collapse event comes from 1880...

 And then in late 1989, a second event occurred enlarging the area by 1/3. The humongous block detached along three walls.

















Seven Apache Pools/ Sacred Pools is at the end of the trail. 

The pools are dips in the rock in a small canyon. There is water in the dips all year long. I did read all kinds of animals visit the pools, but all we saw on our visit were frogs. Bicycles are not allowed on this trail, but you can hike.
Both of these trails are very popular with lots of traffic on the week-ends. It's beautiful Red Rock Country and if you don't have a jeep there are all kinds to rent...with a guide or to drive yourself. It's lots of fun! You won't be disappointed!

Well, until next time, happy days and...

 happy trails!

P.S. The birds continue to entertain and EAT!

Red Rock Country!

Distant Drums RV Resort
Camp Verde, AZ
April 19, 2015

We could hardly wait to hit the trails in Red Rock Country. This week-end was spent revisiting some favorite places. Saturday, we were up and out early to jeep the Oak Creek Homestead trail. 

It's rated difficult only because of a short section that is narrow and steep. Most of the trail is like the picture to the left.




 There are remnants of a brick building from years ago which I cant find any information on. 

Rokhell and Pearl parked at the creek with the "homestead" in the background.

 The real draw for me is Oak Creek...

Looking upstream...

and looking downstream.

Its very flat here and access to the water is so easy with lots of big rocks to sit on. We all enjoyed lunch by the creek!

This sweet girl had a mouth full of willow...

Sunday we were up early and out by 9:00 to do another trail...one on foot. A favorite hike we did last year was Devil's Bridge. It's not a very long hike, maybe a wee bit over 2 miles if you enjoy the section under the bridge also, but it does have some muscle building steps and a steep climb up. Just what Joe and I needed! We were thrilled to have Richie join us as we followed the path thru nature and natural wonders. 

There is a dirt road leading to the trailhead. 

 It is 1.3 miles from the start of the dirt road to the trail.




The beginning of the trail is wide and easy to follow as it winds its way thru Pinon Pines, Blue Junipers and Manzanita bushes. 

According to Sedona's Top 10 Hikes by Dennis Andres, a Sedona native, this was originally a jeep trail.

The trail eventually narrows...





...with a rocky steep climb up near the end.











There is a plateau like overlook for a water stop and first view of Devil's Bridge...

That's me...

and Richie.

On the bridge...













and under the bridge...

So, until next time, have happy days and...

happy trails!