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Soldier's pass and devil's kitchen

Updated
hiker on the trail to Solder's pass
At the top of Soldier's pass
Cave at Soldier's pass
seven sacred pools
Examining a sinkhole on the devil's kitchen trail
map: Soldier's pass and Devil's kitchen trails
elevation plot: soldiers pass and devil's kitchen trails

Location

How to Get There
This hike is located near Sedona, AZ.

From the Phoenix area, take I-17 North to exit 298 to HWY 179 West into Sedona. Follow the signs to 89A West. Turn right 1.2 miles after the junction on Soldier Pass Road, driving another 1.4 miles. Turn right on Rim Shadows and follow the curve 0.2 miles to the junction of Rim Shadows and Canyon Shadows. Follow the signs to the parking area along Canyon Shadows Road.
city
sedona
state
az
Region
Sedona

Hike details

Distance
4.00 [Miles] Total
Hike Distance- Details
4.0 miles round trip.
Time
2.00 [Hours]
Time-details
It took us two hours with a 30 minute stop at the arches for playing and lunch.
Elevation Change
500 Total gain/loss [Feet]
Elevation Details
about 500 ft climbing to the Brin's Mesa trail
Hike Trail Type
Out and Back

Season

Best Season
  • April
  • May
  • October
  • November
Date Hike completed
January 04, 2011

Solitude

Solitude
Low
Solitude Details
This is a popular hike, even though it's nestled inside a neighborhood. Expect to see 10-30 other people hiking on a weekend, as well as some jeeps on the jeep road.

Difficulty

Difficulty Rating
Moderate
difficulty detail
Gradual climb with some interesting terrain features. This is a Moderate hike. The sink hole and arches are interesting. The hike is kind of short.

Permits

Be Aware of
Multiple trails intersecting

Hike along the Soldier's pass trail and Devil's kitchen in Sedona, Arizona.

This hike enables you to get up close with some of the more unique features of the Sedona canyons. There is a cool sink hole that you reach after about 1/4 of a mile. Stay on the trail (marked by Cairns) and stay away from the Jeep road. The walking trail follows (not to closely) along the right side of the Jeep road.

Further along the trail are seven holes caved out of the slickrock known as the 'Seven Sacred Pools'. These don't quite live up to their name, as they're just some pockets that catch seasonal water. Once past the wilderness boundary, take the right fork to hike up to the arches (or the left fork to hike to the Brin's Mesa trail). I thought the arches were the most interesting feature of this hike. You can hike right up to them and climb around. Watch your step!

Map

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