Sedona, Arizona - Doe Mountain

Doe Mountain. Our last adventure in Sedona. Everything has been perfect so far, so why not end it with an easy, but very rewarding hike!

We just had gotten a great night rest and had to pack up camp before the hike. Luckily, the nights in Sedona were less humid and we didn't have to let everything sit and dry before we packed up. Before you know it, everything was thrown in the back of the rental car and we were on our way to the trail head.

Doe Mountain is a very short mountain. It only rises 715 feet off of the valley floor and the hike to the top is not even a mile long. What makes it an amazing hike is the half mile long plateau on the top. This lets you see Sedona from all different angles!!

Capitol Butte and Devil's Bridge on the way to Doe Mountain. Driving around Sedona is just as stunning as the hikes!

The picture above is from the trailhead of the hike. The higher part to the left, is the plateau of Doe Mountain. The hike is a typical hike out west that involves switchbacks. Switchbacks are hikes that zig zag up a mountain with 180 degree turns. With the zig zags, it makes the hike longer, but easier, instead of just climbing straight up the mountain and doing all the elevation gain in one quick accent. Out east, the hike basically goes straight up the mountain, making it difficult and steep. Switchbacks were made to make the hike easier. The zig-zag pattern also protects the hill and the trail from excessive erosion.

Another view from the beginning of the trail showing the steeper parts of the mountain.

Caves on the side of the mountain due to wind and water erosion that have occured over millions and millions of years.

A panoramic view looking north near the top of Doe Mountain. Notice the difference from the previous picture. We were right next to the steep area and now, we are really far away. This is the way switchbacks work. You climb, you level out. You climb, you level out. It continues to due this til either the top, or where the trail cannot support the switchbacks anymore. To the left is Bear Mountain.

After all the switchbacks, we finally had a short area to do some actual climbing! But it was short lived. We eventually hit the top and we were on the plateau. We continued on the trail and it lead us to this amazing 180 degree view on the edge of the mountain!!

The edge of Doe Mountain. It was like this the whole way around the mountain, with sheer 50-100ft drops below. What made this hike great is that there were very few people on the trail. Everyone else was hiking right across the street on Bear Mountain, one of the tallest mountains in Sedona. Most people don't even make it to the top of Bear Mountain. Little did they know, that right across the street was a shorter, easier hike with amazing view.

Looking south west into Boynton Canyon and the small Mescal Mountain to the right

A close up view of Boyton Canyon.

Boynton Canyon and Mescal Mountain.

The large mountain to the left is Capitol Butte. Lower and slightly right is Chimney Rock.

A close up view of Capitol Butte and Chimney Rock. Amazing pieces of work by mother nature!

Cacti and Boynton Canyon

Mescal Mountain. Very similar to Doe Mountain, but I don't think there's trail leading to the top.

Jessica soaking in the view (and the sun).

Before you know it, we were on our way back down the mountain and eventually headed back to my uncles house. It was a satisfying, but sad day. We didn't want to leave Sedona. It was a stunning place, that offers way more than just three days of exploring. I can make it certain that we will be back. Not just once, but many times. Sedona has just too much to offer and I want to take it all in!!

I would like to thank my Uncle Kenny and Aunt Lisa for making this trip possible. Thank you for giving us a cozy bed, great laughs and the hospitality. We love you, miss you and can't wait to see you again!! I would also like to congratulate Laurin and Jason. Your wedding in california inspired us to take this vacation! Love you and thank you!! To all our family members whom we got to see while we were out west: It was great to see you and love you all!

TILL NEXT TIME SEDONA!!