Brin's Mesa/Solider Pass Loop and Soldier Pass Arch

If you are in Sedona and want a great hike that captures the beauty of the area then do this hike!  This is a five mile loop hike.  If you add the side trail to the arch you will be adding an additional 1/2 mile to your hike. Trust me you want to do the side trail to the arch.  This is one of the most unique arches I have ever seen in all my years of hiking and exploring.  You can get "inside" of the arch by climbing up a few rocks that someone has stacked for easier access.  Trust me, you want to climb into the arch!  Like I said before this is an incredibly unique formation.  Click here for map.

There are two trail heads you can start this hike from.  I chose to start the trail at the Jordan Road Trailhead and my description will follow from that starting point.  Directions to this trailhead are at the end of this post, along with directions to the alternative starting point, Soldier Pass Trailhead. ( You can also click on the trailhead names to go to a google map of the location). Just be aware parking is limited, however there is more parking spots at the Jordan Road Trailhead than at  the Soldier Pass Trailhead. You will need to purchase a Redrock Pass to park at either parking lot.  Conveniently there is a Redrock Pass vending machine at the Jordan Road Trailhead which takes credit cards.  Click here for information on obtaining a Redrock Pass.

From the Jordan Road Trailhead you will start out on the Brin's Mesa Trail and hike this trail counter clockwise.  This trail begins to the right and behind the Trailhead Information Sign/Map.  A few hundred feet into your hike the Cibola Pass Trail will head to the left.  Stay on the main Brin's Mesa Trail.  About 1 mile in you will begin a steep climb to the top of Brin's Mesa.  It's nothing too steep or long, but in my case it did get my heart pumping.  At 1.4 miles you will come to the top of your climb.  You have reached Brin's Mesa and will notice a lot of dead trees.  A fire in 2006 swept through this area.

Continue on the trail for approximately .5 miles where you will come to a split in the trail.  Take the Solider Pass Trail to your left.  You will begin a descent down into the canyon below.  As you begin your descent look to your left along the canyon wall where you will see three alcoves.  The furthest on on the right is the Solider Pass Arch.  It does not look like an arch from this vantage point.

View across to the arches

Once you have reached the bottom the trail will wind through trees, providing some nice relief from the sun.  You want to keep your eyes out for the Soldier Pass Arch Trail around 3 mile that will go off to the left.  This side trail was not marked.  However, you will know you are close to the junction when you pass the Secret Mountain Wilderness sign.  Another hundred feet or so and the Arch Trail appears to the left.

The Arch Trial begins a steep ascent up the side of the canyon wall.  You will come to a large clear sandstone area.  Head across this and you will see the trail begin another steep climb.  Continue up the trail which will end right at the Soldier Pass Arch.  You can access the inside of the arch by walking up to the alcove and look to your right.  Some has stacked rocks to make the entry through the crack easier.  Climb up this crack and then check out what awaits you inside.

Inside the Arch

After you are done exploring the arch, then head back down the way you came.  When you come back to the Soldier Pass Trail Junction, head to your left and continue down the trail.  You will come to another junction in the trail.  Stay on the trail to the left.  The trail to the right turns into a jeep road and will take you to the Soldier Pass Trailhead.

Seven Sacred Pools

You will soon come to what is called the Seven Sacred Pools.  This is another open sandstone area where water has created levels of pools.  On my visit there was standing water in several pools and also plenty of bees, so be careful.  They left us alone though. 

Devil's Kitchen

Continue on the trail to another unique geological formation called Devil's Kitchen.  This is a massive sink hole, what it would have been to witness the collapse of this?

Once you pass Devils Kitchen you will come to another junction.  You want to take the Jordan Trail which heads to the left across another open sandstone area. 

Jordan Trail

Follow the Jordan Trail for about .5 miles where you will come to your final junction.  Take the Cibola Pass Trail to the left.  This trail will head up and over the hill in front of you for .7 miles.   It is another steep climb, but not long.  When you reach the top you will quickly head back down and should be able to see the cars parked in the trailhead below.

This is a great loop hike that packs a lot of variety in its short 6 miles.

Length: 6 miles loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Traffic: Heavy use
Fee: $5.00
Hike Time: 3-4 hours
Season: Fall through Spring 

Directions: 

To Jordan Trailhead:
From the Sedona Y (Junction 89A and 179) go north east, towards Uptown Sedona, for 0.3 miles. Turn left into Jordan Rd and follow Jordan Rd for 0.8 miles to a T intersection with Park Ridge Drive. Turn left on Park Ridge Drive to the end of the pavement and continue on a fairly bumpy dirt road (but passable for passenger cars) for about 0.7 miles to parking and trailhead.

To Soldiers Pass Trailhead:
An alternate trailhead about 1.2 hiking miles away from the Jordan Road Trailhead. From the Sedona Y (Junction 89A and 179) go west towards West Sedona and Cottonwood for 1.2 miles to the first light and turn right into Soldiers Pass Road. Follow the winding Soldiers Pass Road north for 1.5 miles to Rim Shadows Drive. There is a small brown trail sign there. Turn right and go on for less than 0.2 miles. The names of the roads are screwy around here, but there are little brown signs steering you to the parking area. The parking is on the left, up a gated drive (only open from 8am to 6pm!) with a limited number of parking spots.

From PHX (I-10 & AZ-51) 123 mi, 2 hours 16 mins
From TUC (Jct 1-10 & Grant) 228 mi, 3 hours 56 mins
From FLG (Jct I-17 & I-40) 29.3 mi, 41 min

San Tan Mountain Park- A great Loop Trail

San Tan Mountain Park is the lesser known gem of the Maricopa County Park system, located in the San Tan Mountains south of Queen Creek. The park is relatively new with amenities and trails still under development and planning. The reason I love this park, its a great place to take your kids hiking. The trail system is linked together in such a way where you can make large loops or relatively short loop hikes. The elevation gain on most hikes are minimal and the trails for the main part are wide- great in avoiding cactus with the little ones. The park staff is friendly and put together many activities great for the whole family to participate in. I will highlight one trail that I especially enjoy. This is a loop hike and consists of 3 different trails linked together: the San Tan, Hedgehog and Moonlight Trails. This loop is 4.1 miles with minimal elevation gain. The trail is fun to mountain bike ride as well.
At the visitor center begin your hike by following the signs to the San Tan Trail. Follow this trail south for .9 miles. Keep your eye out for the Saguaro off the right side of the trail at about .6 miles. A large birds nest, possibly hawk, is built at the top of one of the Saguaros. Also, turn around during this section and take in the view of the San Tan Valley below and Superstition Mountains in the far distance. Watch for the sign "Hedgehog Trail". Take this trail to your right. The trail narrows here to single track and at times crosses sandy washes. Enjoy the small ups and downs of this as you wind your way through the lower Sonoran desert. Great views are afforded during this section of the San Tan Mountains. Hike .9 miles and you will come to another fork linking back up with the San Tan Trail. Take the trail to the right and head Northwest. The trail begins to descend a bit at this point and you will soon have a far distant view of downtown Phoenix on a clear day. Hike this section for 2 miles and watch for the Moonlight Trail fork. This last section is 1.3 miles and takes you back to the visitor center. The kids love this last section of trail. The trail is wide and dips up and down into small arroyos like a mini roller coaster ride. The kids love running down these steep hills. San Tan Mountain park is a great park filled with sharp desert peaks dotted with Saguaros. You won't be disappointed in taking part of a day to spend in this park.
Highlighted Loop Trail:
Length: 4.1 miles, loop
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Kids: Highly recommended for any age
Hiking Time: 2-4 hours depending on age of kids
Fee:$6.00 entrance fee
Guides: Maricopa County Parks Website
Directions: From central Phoenix, take I-10 east to US 60 east. Exit Ellsworth Road south to Hunt Highway. Travel east on Hunt Highway to Thompson Road south. Turn west on Phillips Road to the San Tan Mountain Regional Park entrance.

Pass Mountain Trail- Usery Mountain Park, Mesa

Pass mountain trail head is located in Usery Mountain Park in Mesa. This is a loop trail and is 7.4 miles long. This is a great loop trail, with beautiful views from the North Side of the rugged country below 4 Peaks. I gained access to this trail via Meridian Rd, which allows access to Tonto National Forest without paying the entrance fee at Usery Park. The majority of the trail lies in National Forest boundaries. Upon arriving at the trail head I spoke with a few hikers about the trail. The consensus is the best part of the trail is the view off the north side of the mountain. At this trailhead if you choose to follow the trail to the North, you will encounter a steep climb early on into your hike. I chose to hike the trail counter-clockwise so I could head up the hill and get my lungs pumping a bit. As you leave the parking area follow the well worn trail for a few 100 yards you will come to a cross section in the trail. DO NOT GO left or right but find the cairn directly in front of you and cross through the wash to the other side. This will take you to the actual Pass Mountain Trail. Upon reaching the next intersection I hiked to the right, heading towards the large cliff in front of you. Going this way you will have to hike up a 500 foot elevation gain right off the bat to the saddle, but this is the hardest part of the trail and is quickly over. It also guarantees an elevated heart rate. Once upon the saddle the trail winds around the side of the mountain to the west. This is a well traveled and maintained trail. It is busy on the weekends with hikers, joggers, bikers and horse back riders. Enjoy the sweeping view of the country to your north. You will round the mountain and begin heading south and catch a view of Fountain Hills, and the sprawling metro city below. Keep on the main trail and avoid following several spur trails that branch off periodically. The trail takes you to Usery park and to the Wind Cave Trail head. Keep heading east through the park. Once on this south side the Saguaros are more prominent along with all the other familiar cactus in the area. Keep an eye out of cholla on the trail. This is a great loop hike and I completed it in 2 hours 45 minutes. I did not stop for many breaks during the hike. It is not difficult, but is long so plan accordingly.

Length: 7.4 miles- loop trail
Elevation Gain: ?
Kids: 7.4 miles is a bit long for kids to enjoy the hike
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Fee: Free off Meridian Rd, 6$ in Usery Mountain Park
Guides: 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Phoenix
Directions: US 60 East to Ironwood Rd. North on Ironwood Rd. Left on McKellip Rd. Right on Meridian Rd. Follow to the end of the road and park in trailhead.