Thursday, December 18, 2014

Airport Loop Trail - Sedona, Arizona

December 18, 2014

Miles: 5.6
Time:
Elevation gain:
Max elevation:

Year to date miles: 502.7

Map: Sedona Outdoor Recreation Map

Parking: Airport Road - second parking lot, which is much larger than the first one. Tons of parking.
One of the tourist offices suggested this parking lot as a good place to view stars at night.
We did check it out one evening - early - but the airport still had lights on, as did the resort next to the airport. We did see what we think is the Milky Way.

Restrooms: didn't notice any
Post Hike Dinner: Whole Foods

Hike Directions:
Go to kiosk in parking lot
Start on Sedona View Trail (was very muddy).
Right on Airport Loop Trail.
Left on Tabletop Trail to end.
Turn around and retrace steps on Tabletop Trail.
Left on Airport Loop Trail.
Cross Airport Road.
Climb small mountain (sign says To Overlook) - basically find any way up
Return down small mountain.
Follow Sedona View Trail back to parking lot.

Notes:
Although this is a highly recommended hike, I preferred other hikes in the area. Although this hike has views all the way, part of the views are of the city, and there is auto noise as well. The first half of the hike is a narrow trail with drop offs (Glen experienced mild vertigo). My favorite part of the hike was the Tabletop Trail. It goes to an outlook with less of a city view. This was a moderate hike. When I pictured this hike beforehand, I pictured a paved track around an airport. It is definitely not that! It is a dirt/rock trail, and yes it goes around the airport, but at most points you can't even see the airport.

Parking area. The trail starts at a kiosk near the trash can by the road.

Trailhead


City view


The day after a rain - we were lucky to catch a rainbow







My favorite part of the hike, is the Table Top Trail, not even mentioned in our hiking guide.


The end of the Table Top Trail





Short out and back to Overlook Point. Tons of people do this - it is a scramble (any way you can find) up to the top


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