Sedona, Ariz is one of my fav places to hike. Gorgeous scenery, awesome weather (excepting summer), and little driving required (most hikes 10 mins from town). It’s also a great place for nature photog! Some of my favorite places to shoot include:
Crescent Moon Picnic Area: Great views along Oak Creek overlooking Cathedral Rock. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/arizona/crescent-moon-ranch-at-red-rock-crossing
Upper Red Rock Loop: Several awesome pullouts provide a view of Cathedral and Bell Mountain.
Airport Mesa Viewpoint (& attached trail): Not to be confused with the airport viewpoint above. This hiking spot has only about 8 parking spaces. It provides trails with 360-degree panoramic views of the entire valley! After a rain, reflecting pools form on the rock face providing great ops to shoot low and reflect the mountains. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/arizona/sedona-airport-loop-trail
Don’t be afraid to use your telephoto lens to capture some far-away action. This shot was taken shortly after dawn with a 300mm lens.
Boyton Canyon to the Subway: The Subway is a detour off the main path that while impressive may prove a bit hair raising for some hikers. Requires a good level of fitness and some climbing experience. https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/arizona/boynton-canyon-trail
Seven Sacred Pools hike. Great foregrounds. After a rain look for reflecting pools (shoot low). https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/arizona/soldier-pass-to-brins-mesa-loop
Some of my favorite hikes also include:
Easy/Moderate
Doe Mountain Loop https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/arizona/doe-mountain-loop-trail
Long Canyon, Deadman’s Pass, Mescal Loop https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/mescal-mountain-long-canyon-deadmans-pass-mescal-loop
Secret Slickrock (easy short/great for sunset) https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/secret-slick-rock-trail?ref=result-card
Sugarloaf Loop https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/sugarloaf-loop-trail
Moderate/Hard
Hangover Trail https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/hangover-trail-out-and-back
Sterling Pass https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/sterling-pass-trail
Devil’s Bridge via Chuck Wagon Trail (great view, overrun with tourists…everyone flocks to this, I’d skip) https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/devils-bridge-via-chuck-wagon-trail
Hard
Bear Mountain https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/bear-mountain
Click here to see my original gallery photos: https://www.snitzerphotos.com/Other/Galleries/Sedona-2021/n-XpLtXs/
