SOLDIER PASS-BRINS MESA-CIBOLA PASS-JORDAN TRAIL LOOP
Coconino National Forest, Sedona
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| Devil's Kitchen |
 |
| Seven Sacred Pools |
For a short trek, this little loop packs in plenty of
variety. First up, is Devil's
Kitchen---Arizona's largest sinkhole. Formed by a series of catastrophic
geological events, the hole will continue to grow over time and the AZ
Geological Survey considers the area unstable and hazardous. Although it might
look tempting, the sinkhole is just not safe to explore beyond the trail. A link below leads to an AZGS article
about Devil's Kitchen and includes lots of interesting maps and data. Beyond the slump, head left and hike less than a mile to see the "seven sacred pools", a chain of shallow ponds scoured
from red sandstone that reflect both blue sky and colorfully-layered canyon
walls. Once done exploring the pools, follow the trail through a calming landscape of cypress, juniper and yuccas to the sign for Red Rock Secret Canyon Wilderness.
Here, an unsigned, but obvious footpath heads right for a mildly steep quarter-mile
side trip to the Soldier Pass Arches. Past the arches, the route makes its final ascent to the
Brins Mesa Trail junction. At just under
5,000' the views here are breathtaking and breath saving as it's all downhill
trekking from here. Continuing
southeast on the Brins Mesa Trail, the route dives into a canyon land of
Paleozoic-age sandstones singed by the 2006 Brins Fire. A haunting landscape of blackened
stubble mixed in with healthy high desert flora splatters the gorges in
earthy shades of green. A mid-segment
lookout point provides unobstructed vistas of Sedona, and sometimes, graceful
waterfalls can be seen washing over distant crags.
HIKE DIRECTIONS:
From the trailhead, follow the access path 0.2 mile to the
first junction and turn left to pick up the Soldier Pass Trail. Hike roughly 0.7 mile to the wilderness
sign where an optional side path leads to a series of natural arches. This side trip will add 0.5 mile to the
hike. Continue another 1.0 mile on
Soldier Pass to Brins Mesa Trail.
Turn right here and hike 2.0 miles to the Cibola Trail, turn right and
go 0.6 mile to Jordan Trail, turn right again and hike 0.3 mile to the Soldier
Pass junction, turn left and hike 0.2 mile back to the trailhead.
LENGTH: 5-mile
loop (5.5 with arches detour)
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION:
4,450'- 4,930'
FEE: A Red Rock Pass is required. $5 daily fee per vehicle.
http://www.redrockcountry.org/passes-and-permits/index.shtml
HOURS: the Soldier Pass trailhead is gated and open only
from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
There's alternate access off Jordan Road.
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, go north on I17 to exit 298 for Sedona/Oak
Creek. Turn left (west) onto SR179 and continue to the traffic circle
intersection at SR89A. Veer left
through the circle heading toward Cottonwood on SR89A. Between milepost 372 and 373, turn
right onto Soldier Pass Road, drive 1.5 miles to Rim Shadows, turn right and
continue 0.25 mile to the short drive to the trailhead on the left.
INFO: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District
,928-203-2900
GEOLOGY ARTICLE
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