2For66

September 11-12

After being in the car for three days we needed to get out and stretch our legs. We didn’t want to cut down visiting time with my uncle and aunt so we headed out for Sedona early (for us) in the morning. We opted for the Little Horse Trail hike which we had done before – March 4, 2015 because it is quick to get to and is a good distance for the time we had.

You can find a US Forest Service description of the hike here. Although it is described as a 1.5 mile trail in (3 miles round trip) we found the hike to be closer to 4 miles. Nevertheless, the hike is easy and the views excellent. You may need to stand aside as mountain bikers work their way up or come careening down the path.

Here is a sample of the path.

We found many cacti blooming along the upper part of the trail

Before long you come up alongside the outcropping.

After a couple of miles you come to a broad flat expanse of red rock to clamor up to enjoy the view. To prove I made it, here I am up on Chicken Point.

Beautiful views abound.

We covered the four mile round trip in two hours; that included plenty of time for wandering around on the rocks at Chicken Point.

If you make this hike be aware that you’ll likely have to share Chicken Point with a few of the ubiquitous Pink Jeeps that swarm around Sedona’s Red Rocks like annoying gnats. They don’t ruin the hike by any means; but they are annoying.

If you have a little more time and don’t mind a little more of a hike, try the Broken Arrow Trail and you’ll get even better views. It also leads up to Chicken Point but from the other side of the hills.

My blog banner photo is taken from that hike.

You can find a crummy Forest Service map here. Basically, take Higway 179 for about 1 and a half miles from the US 89A junction until you reach Morgan Road. Go a little past the end of the road to the trail head. There are views of Submarine Rock from there. For some reason I didn’t blog about that hike; I promise I will next time.