2017 Pre-Trip in Sedona

Pre-Trip 

The Red Rocks of Sedona, AZ

Monday, Aug. 28 – Thursday Aug. 31, 2017

Limit 30 People

SOLD OUT

Enjoy a two-night stay in Sedona, the "energy" capital of the U.S. Long renowned for the vortexes, believed by Native Americans to be earth energy healing centers, Sedona has become home to a vibrant arts community. Uptown Sedona is dense with New Age shops, spas and art galleries. It is surrounded by breathtaking natural areas, such as the Red-Rock buttes and Red Rock State Park, with its steep canyon walls and pine forests and archeological reminders of long lost cultures. Hikes, history and natural beauty abound. Join us as we explore some of the best Sedona has to offer. 

 

Schedule:

Click here to download the PDF Version

Monday, Aug. 28

Arrive at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Then take the Hotel Airport Shuttle to  Days Inn Airport in Phoenix. We will try coordinate arrivals to help group you together so you can help each other. 

4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Meet in lobby of Days Inn Airport in Phoenix for check-in
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - Dinner and drinks at Chelsea's Kitchen at the Sky Harbor Airport, Terminal 4 Lobby (pre-security) (Not included)
8:30 PM - 9:30 PM - MANDATORY MEETING TO DISCUSS TUESDAY then socialize if desired –Location TBD. We will have a sign up in the lobby stating the location.

Tuesday, Aug. 29

MORNING

6:00 AM - 7:00 AM: Breakfast (included with Days Inn Reservations)– bring your luggage down to breakfast
7:00 AM - 7:15 AM: Meet in lobby to load vans with all luggage
7:30 AM: Vans depart from hotel towards Sedona

10:00 AM ~ 1:30 PM touring Montezuma’s Castle & Montezuma's Well

  • If we don’t leave on time, we will have to skip Montezuma’s well 
  • National Park Pass for parking/entrance (please let us know if you have one).
  • Both sites are National Park Service Heritage Sites. 
  • The entire group will visit these sites. A pizza lunch is included in your base price. 

Montezuma’s Castle and Well have nothing to do with Montezuma or his curse. They are archeologic remains of cliff dwellings and agricultural irrigation ditches of the Sinagua People. They date back to 1000-1300.

At the Castle, you will walk an interpretive loop which highlights the cliff houses built into the sides of the Beaver Creek Canyon.

The well is a water filled, spring fed sink hole. You can climb down a series of steps to see the cliff dwellings tucked away in the corners of the lake, and the remains of the irrigation canals these people built to irrigate their crops, far from the well itself. A park ranger will join us to enhance our experience. 

Approx. 2:30 PM Check-In at the Arabella Hotel Sedona

AFTERNOON OPTIONS:

Option TuA: 3 ½ Hours Guided Sunset Vortex Jeep Tour. 

On this Scenic Sunset Vortex tour, you will visit Sedona vortex sites while learning the facts, feelings, and fallacies of these power spots with Earth Wisdom Jeep Tours.  This is an in-depth journey, merging myth, meditation, native plants and sacred pilgrimage tradition. This scenic route includes visiting holy land of the local Native Americans, learning the reasons behind the sacred site phenomena, walking up to one of the most beautiful vistas in Sedona and ending with the views of the special Sedona sunset, which usually lights up the eastern canyon walls with goldens, reds and purples. We will drop luggage into a secure room on arrival to the hotel. Check in for anyone on the vortex tour will happen after the tour. The sunset will not wait for us.

  • Approx: 3:00 PM ~ 7:30 PM / Starts/Ends at hotel / Vendor Van / Limit 21 People / Cost $130 per person 10% Tip include
  • Leader: Norm Abrams

Cathedral Rock & Vortex Tour

Cathedral Rock is a famous landmark on the Sedona, Arizona skyline, and is one of the most-photographed sights in Arizona. It is also one of the four major vortices (energy spots) in the area. There are several ways of doing this hike. Choose between an easy creek side walk around the base of Cathedral Rock 2.2 miles round trip. (#156 Templeton Trail) OR the challenging version that takes you up to the top. This is also 1½ miles, but portions of the trail are very narrow, very steep, with tricky footing. In case of afternoon thunderstorms, this option will be canceled.


Option TuB: Easy 3-hour hike, Cathedral Rock & Vortex Tour

  • Total Distance of hike  2.2  Mile (3.5 KM) / Total Elevation Gain 200 Ft. (61M)
  • Option of wearing your swimsuit to play in the stream. 
  • Van A: Driver: Stephan Scrop
  • Leader: Jeffrey Kay, Co-Leader: Merrill Goldsmith

Option TuC: Challenging 3-hour hike, Cathedral Rock & Vortex Tour

  • Total Distance of hike 1.6 Mile ( 2.5KM) / Total Elevation Gain Hard 711 Ft. (216 M)
  • Rock Scrambling. Need to be comfortable jumping boulder to boulder
  • Van B: Brian Horowitz
  • Leader: Michael Brochstein, Co-Leader: Robert Goldman


Option TuD: Free time in Sedona

EVENING

7:45 PM Meet at the smaller pool at the hotel for departure to dinner
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM Late dinner at Mesa Grill Sedona, 1185 Airport Rd, Sedona, AZ 86336. (Included)

Wednesday, Aug. 30

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM: Breakfast in hotel (included)

Note: Please bring any luggage that you do not need for the next 32 hours (anything you do not need before arrival in camp for the main event) to the lobby when you come to breakfast. The front desk will secure this luggage; it will be loaded into a Mosaic Van on its way to camp to join the advance crew later in the day. This will help with logistics for the next day

FULL DAY ACTIVITIES

Option WeA: Full Day Hike & Mountain Bike

This exhilarating and invigorating mountain-bike ride is equal parts legs, lungs, and chutzpa! The Super fat tires on your rented mountain bike grip the path on all surfaces. Expect to bike over areas of compact sand, gravelly rock, chunky rocks, and some smooth easy gliding. The view of Bell Rock and surrounding red rock formations are spectacular every inch of the way. We will be biking on the Bell Rock Courthouse Butte Trail #96 & #135.

You don’t have to have previous mountain bike experience, but you should be a confident bike rider. Two litres of water at least and snacks.


After returning the bikes we have lunch at a local restaurant - TBD

Then spend the afternoon hiking Little Horse Trail # 61. 

Little Horse Trail #61 is a 3.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Sedona, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. Head out on the Bell Rock Path south. What we believe to be the best view of Courthouse Butte is yours from the beginning. Enjoy the Sedona forest trail heading towards Madonna and the Praying Nuns (a well known, named red rock formation). The southeastern edge of Twin Buttes is home to the Nuns.

The trail takes you around the eastern portion of Twin Buttes. Near the two mile mark you pass through a gate. Chicken Point is up to your left. Broken Arrow Trail along with Jeep tours and mountain bikers make this one popular spot. The views are awesome. Walking out on Chicken Point will give you the feeling of being in an Indian Jones spoof somewhere in Utah. The hike can also be extended eastward from the base of Chicken Point into the Wilderness area (no bicycles allowed) on the Jim Bryant Trail. Little Horse Trail is mostly unshaded and hot in summer.


Option WeB: Full day Easy to Moderate Hike: West Fork Trail of Oak Creek –#108

West Fork Trail is touted to be one of the best trails in Arizona and one of the top 10 trails in the United States. The trail is approximately seven miles round trip and is rated easy - moderate. The most outstanding feature of this hike is that it follows the river through the canyon, crossing the river 15 times. It is ends in a pool of water with partially sandy bottom. The walls are breathtaking, massive with deep shades of red and black, overhangs, hoodoos, and striations in the rock walls.  Elevation change is a gradual 250 feet, starts at elevation of 5,260 feet. The hike is an in/out route. You will see many species of birds, butterflies, snakes, fish, lizards and beautiful flora. In addition to water crossings that can be done in hiking boots, the final hour is spent walking in the water. Participants can choose to end the hike before the water pool. The optional extension of the hike for further exploration to the pools extends this hike to approximately 9 miles.

Requirements: 

  • Participants are required to bring 2 liters of water, a packed lunch, hat, sunscreen, hiking boots and water shoes. 
  • This hike is considered moderate with many opportunities for taking photos which could extend the time out to six hours for this activity.
  • Water shoes and swim suits suggested.

Click here for amazing pics of the trail.
Click here for a video

WEDNESDAY HALF DAY OPTIONS

MORNING 

Option WeC -Bell Rock Trail, Forte Verde State historic Park, & Tuzigoot National Park

Bell Rock: We will not climb Bell Rock, just pull into the parking area so you can see one of the more famous spots in Sedona. This is one of the four primary vortices. We will not have time to do the hike and see the other sites. We will use the Courthouse Vista Trail Head and take a short walk to get a closer look at Bell Rock. (Total Distance of hike 1/2 Mile (1 KM)

Fort Verde will be fascinating and enjoyable for those interested in history. The fort is an example of a typical western fort, consisting of a series of low-rise buildings without a fenced perimeter. This is a significant contrast from the typical 19th century stockade, multi-story structures found in forts along the east coast. 

A visit to Fort Verde includes a stop in the visitor center and a self-guided tour of three buildings. Visitor center staff are very helpful, friendly and very well-versed in history and information about the fort. The small museum in the visitor center is packed with interesting artifacts and stories. Of note is the large number of photographs and accompanying description about Indian Scouts: Native Americans who joined US Army personnel to defend against other Native Americans. The Visitor Center also features a video about the Scouts.  A museum volunteer will join you to give you a more in depth experience.  (ETA to meet docent  is 10 AM)

After leaving this late 1800s fort, we will go much further back in history to visit Tuzigoot National Monument. This is the remains of a Southern Sinagua Village built between 1000 and 1400. Instead of clinging to the sheer cliffs like at Montezuma's Castle, it crowns the summit of a long ridge rising 120 feet above the Verde River Valley. The original Pueblo had 87 ground floor rooms and some second story ones. The loop around the ruins is a short 1/2-mile loop hike. There is a second 1 ½ mile in/out hike that takes you closer to the river valley. This is considered a bird sanctuary. In spring the flowers were abundant and beautiful. The monument has a small museum that describes the site very nicely.

  • Lunch location/ time will be determined by the group (between Fort Verde and Tuzigoot National Monument or waiting to get back into town of Sedona. 
  • 8:00 AM ~ 1:00 PM / Total Round Trip Drive w/o Stops 2 Hours, 76 Miles ( 120 KM) / Van / Limit 15 People / 
  • There are no additional fees needed if you have the State and National Park passes respectively.
  • Private Car Drivers: Scott Berman, Anne Milchberg

AFTERNOON

Option WeD: Hike Marg's Draw. Hike # 163 

This trail makes life easy with a 2 ½ miles round trip (in/out) easy hike that leaves from behind the hotel. Go all the way to the back parking lots. The trail head is actually for a short connector trail that runs into the middle of the main path. You will turn north towards Schnebly Hill Road. The trail ends here. You can cross the street and continue north for 2 ½ miles on the Huckabee trail.... but then you would have to turn around and come home for a total of 7 ½ miles. Not a good idea for an afternoon hike in the Arizona sun. Marg's Draw starts and ends in civilization, but for the rest of it you are in the wilderness with fabulous views of Uptown Sedona, red rock formations Capitol Butte, Wilson Mountain, and others. 


Option WeE: Shopping/Explore Downtown West Sedona.  

You will be a 10-minute walk from Tlaquepaque, Sedona's foremost shopping village. The quaint, picturesque "village" in the heart of West Sedona is a feast for the eyes, whether buying or browsing. Quality local jewelry galore, Navaho rugs, bronze sculptures, artwork, and much much more. So tempting, each shop is nicer than the previous one. This is not the less expensive touristy souvenir stuff you will find lining the main street of Upper Sedona. On your walk from the hotel, you will pass multiple other stores that will lure you in. If you prefer New Age shops, there are quite a few in the shopping plazas across the street from this village. 

Option WeF: Helicopter Air Tours of Sedona 

You can book this directly with the vendor. They can handle groups of up to 6 at a time. Contact us to help coordinate your tour with others who are interested in sharing the experience. The vendor will pick you up and drop you off at the hotel.  This experience is awesome. If you’ve had “take a helicopter ride” on your bucket list, this is for you. The scenery is spectacular. The pilot explains what is in view- all passengers wear headsets to muffle noise and also to make it possible to ask questions and have everyone hear the answers from the pilot. This 25-minute tour is more - includes flying into canyons that are only accessible by foot, and getting up close and personal with cliff dwellings as well as some red rock formations. The company provides transportation between the hotel and the airport. Recommend the Ancient's Way Helicopter Tour of Sedona - 25 mins - $159 pp + tax & tip. 

EVENING

6 PM - Meet in the Lobby to make dinner plans among yourselves. Dinner is on your own.
8 PM – ? PM/AM Pool party at the smaller pool fire pit at the hotel for drinks (BYOB)

Thursday, Aug. 31

7:00 PM -8:15 AM breakfast and check-out of the hotel. Load Vans
8:30 AM: Depart from Sedona

DAYTIME OPTIONS

Option ThA – Hiking Devil's Bridge (Van B)

Devil’s Bridge is a star attraction in the Sedona area. “A Must Do” for hikers !

Hike - ¾ day short/Easy or Moderate Devil's Bridge #120

You will drive about 20 minutes north up into the Dry Creek area to have an entirely different Sedona hiking experience. Devil's Arch is the largest Arch in Arizona. We will park at the Mescal Trail Head. the hike is 4.5 miles round trip. The final view at 4500 feet (1500 M) is simply spectacular. The Hike starts relatively flat through scrub and cactus. It gradually changes to thicker and taller vegetation. You will cross an occasional dry river bed. 2/3 of the trail is relatively flat but elevation is increasing slowly. The final third is quite steep, some places with large rocks, others with stairs. Near the arch, the trail splits. The easier options is to go under the arch. The more challenging option is to climb to the top on that previously mentioned steep portion.

After the hike we will head to Cottonwood for Lunch. If time allows, we will go to Tuzigoot National Park or the Arizona Copper Museum Art Museum.

Video 1  /  Video 2



Option ThB : Van Tour and Museums (Private Cars)


Part 1: Sightseeing & Learning More About Sedona and Surrounding Area - Depart Hotel at 8:30 AM

We will start with a short drive up Oak Creek Canyon. This is one of America’s “most scenic roadways" per Rand McNally. We will head only as far north as Midgley's Bridge. This is an exceptionally beautiful start to the beginning of the drive up Oak Creek Canyon. Because of construction on the northern end near Flagstaff that will not be finished by Labor Day weekend, will pass on doing the full drive. There are much more exciting things to do. We will enjoy a very short walk to an overlook of Oak Creek.

Part 2: Tour the Copper Arts Museum - 10:00 AM ~ 11:30 AM
After leaving Sedona, we spend about 1 ½ hours at  Arizona Copper Arts Museum in Clarkdale AZ.  This museum offers a look at copper from many different angles - scientific, artistic, everyday uses, decorative and everything in between. No stone is left unturned - that's what makes it so unique and exciting. Even if you're not interested in the science aspect, there are more than enough other items to see that will make your visit enjoyable, educational and entertaining. A docent will be present to guide us through this fascinating museum. Pieces have been made by coppersmiths, soldier artists, and braziers; many of whom were masters of their trade. Exhibits include pieces of American and European works-of-art from the 16th to the 21st century. Cost $9 for Copper Arts Museum

Lunch in Cottonwood or Clarkdale - 11:30 AM – 12:30 AM

Part 3: Jerome Historical Park - 1:00 PM

Jerome is a classic “boom & bust” Old West. From its heyday of gold and copper mining, with a population of 15,000 around 1916, it has now dwindled to a sleepy, picturesque village of 500 brave souls, clinging to the mountain edge. Instead of copper, the main source of income is now tourism dollars.  This museum is the historic Douglas Mansion (the man who “made” Jerome”). It is now a museum devoted to the history of the Jerome area and the Douglas family. The museum features exhibits of photographs, artifacts, and minerals, in addition to a video presentation and a 3-D model of the town with its 100 miles of underground mines. One room, the Douglas library, is restored as a period room. Also on site is a collection of 1900s cars. 

Douglas designed the house as a hotel for mining officials and investors as well as for his family. It featured a wine cellar, billiard room, marble shower, steam heat, and, much ahead of its time, a central vacuum system. Douglas was most proud of the fact that the house was constructed of adobe bricks that were made on the site.

Jerome’s mining history is fascinating, and the town itself quite a vision. However, we will not venture into Jerome itself. The primary reason is the only road through town is a very narrow road with hairpin turns, on the very edge of the mountain. There is also limited parking. There is no place to turn around easily. The road leads out of town going along a route that is, even more, nail biting than the road in town. This route would take us directly to camp, but we prefer not to do this with a 15 passenger van. The school bus company we are renting buses from for the main weekend refuse to take us here because of the road! We will have to satisfy our curiosity with the 3-D model at the museum. 

No added charge for Jerome Historical Park with Mosaic's State Park pass otherwise it will cost $7 per person. 

Part 4: Drive to Prescott to arrive in camp by 4:30 PM

Map of route from Hotel to Camp via all points described: https://binged.it/2uDAWpw 


Option ThC – Tubing in the morning, Then Horseback or Hiking Old Jail Trail - Cottonwood in the afternoon. (Van C)

Tubing on the Verde River with  Verde Adventures /15 Passenger Van (same van as Horseback Riding) Cost $32

Depart hotel at 7:45 AM. Departure from outfitter 9 AM
Enjoy this relaxing tube ride down a tranquil section of the Verde. Even at the end of the summer in the desert, this river still has water. It is the reason the ancient peoples survived. Enjoy bird viewing, cooling your tush, kibbitzing with your friends on this 1 ½ – 2 hour ride
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM lunch and change clothes in Cottonwood or Clarksdale

Van C Driver: Norm Abrams


Horseback Riding. 15 Passenger van (same van as Tubing)
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM.
Cost: $105 including 10% Tip
Trail Horse Adventures in Dead Horse Ranch State Park 
Think Wild West...with outlaws...ON HORSES. Indulge your inner cowboy/girl when you take this 1.5-hour trail ride through the state Park. Enjoy a ride taking you past the lakes and through the Verde River. See a variety of trees plants and wildlife native to the Verde Valley and enjoy the shade provided by the Cottonwood and the willow riparian gallery forest that is along the Verde River. This is one of only 20 remaining such forests in the world. You will follow a trail that many outlaws would have taken through the Mesquite creosote trees and will pass an early settlers’ burial ground and Native American Cliff dwellings. 

Van C Driver: Norm Abrams

Hiking Old Jail Trail – Cottonwood
This activity is after you go tubing and have lunch with the group in the van. The rest of the group will then head out to go horseback riding. You will have 2 ½ hours between the time the van leaves to go horseback riding and picks you up. You will proceed north along Main Street to find the trail-head on the north end of the main section of town.

This area is easily accessed off the old jail parking area on Main St. in Old Town Cottonwood. The trail begins by cutting through a Cottonwood riparian area which is surprisingly dense and isolated from the urban town. Soon the trail opens to a rocky washed flood plain of the Verde River and follows the River downstream for approximately mile. Eventually the trail offers the hiker a choice between continuing to Dead Horse Ranch State Park or looping back into Old Town Cottonwood.

Leader: Harry Felsher

Price:  $325 Double Occupancy

Includes:

Single Upgrade: $171

Driver Discount:

Planning on driving your own vehicle? No problem. We will discount a partial cost of your transportation if you transport other participants when and where needed. Please contact us to discuss this option. Discounts will be refunded to you after the event. 

Transportation:

Fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) anytime Monday Aug. 28. Take shuttle from airport to hotel provided by the hotel. Check-in at hotel is anytime after 3 pm.

The pre-trip price only includes transport from Days Inn in Phoenix to Arabella Hotel in Sedona to Camp Stein, in Prescott. You will need to register or arrange for transport from Camp Stein to the airport after the Main Event separately. 

Early Arrivals:

Bags can be held in a secure place at the hotel if you wish to drop them off and tour Phoenix on your own. Let us know your plans and maybe someone in the group could join you. Please return to the hotel by 6pm to join us for social hour and then head to dinner. 

Late Arrivals:

The Mosaic transportation will be leaving the Days Inn Airport in Phoenix promptly at 7:30 am., but we need time to load the van prior to departure. Therefore, you are welcome to arrive anytime before 7:00 am on Tuesday Aug. 29 to join us for the Pre-Trip and be transported to Sedona. 

Please contact Arizona Shuttle to book a ride from Sky Harbor Phoenix Airport to Arabella Hotel in Sedona if you miss the Mosaic Shuttle to Sedona. This Arizona Shuttle Co. van will cost an extra $53 + tip (payable to Arizona Shuttle). They have 16 regularly scheduled shuttles per day straight to the hotel we are staying at in Sedona.  You must contact them directly to arrange and pay for a ride. Please let Mosaic know of your plans once you make them,


Weather:

Click For Averages Of The Weather In Sedona

Questions about Pre-Trip:

Contact Pre-Trip Chair at Pre-Trip@MosaicOutdoor.org

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