Thursday, November 21, 2024
Small Town Vibe
Population 9000-10,999

Sedona, AZ: We skipped the usual tourist options to do this amazing City Hike!

Small Town Vibe

March 2024: While based out of Flagstaff during our spring break road trip, we stopped by the small town of Sedona, AZ (pop.9,684*) to admire its stunning red rock beauty via a hike on the northwest edge of town. We wanted to avoid the tourism crowds – and find that hiking is a perfect way to experience such an amazing place. There are many local hiking options – we chose the Thunder Mountain Trailhead.

Sedona is a city that straddles the county line between Coconino and Yavapai counties in the northern Verde Valley region of the U.S. state of Arizona. It is within the Coconino National Forest.

Sedona – A Brief History

Geology and early history: Geologically, the history of Sedona began about 500 millions years ago. Over a period of 300 million years, the land was alternately ocean bottom and coastal plain. Sedimentary layers of sandstone formed.

  • Between 200 and 65 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed the land
  • From 65 to 20 million years ago, there were uplifts in southern Arizona and down faulting and wind erosion in northern Arizona
  • From 20 to 12 million years ago, volcanic activity caused the Verde Valley to down fault into a deep basin with lakebeds, creating the Mogollon Rim
  • About 3 million years ago, the Colorado Plateau uplifted

Since then, erosion by wind, rain and snowmelt has created Oak Creek Canyon and exposed the layers of sediment (Schnebly Hill Formation sandstone) to form the spectacular red rock formations we now see in the area. Vegetation and wildlife evolve and migrate to this day.

Native American history

Human prehistory began here about 4000 years BC when hunter-gatherers roamed and settled in the Verde Valley and Prescott areas. Between 900 and 1350 AD, a more advanced civilization began building pueblos and cliff houses. Known as the Sinagua, they were proficient in farming, had an understanding of astronomy, and made baskets, pottery and jewelry. They established trade routes with the peoples of the Pacific coast, Mexico and Central America. The pueblo builders had moved on by 1400 AD, about the same time that the Yavapai and Apache peoples began to move into the region.

Spanish Exploration period

The first European exploration of the Verde Valley was in 1583 and later in 1598 when Spaniards came searching for gold. There is no evidence that either visited the greater Sedona area, although they did try some prospecting in the area around Jerome, but found only copper. The area was in the hands of Spain until Mexico gained its independence in 1821. With the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848, the Arizona Territory became part of the United States.

Early Settlers and Homesteading

The first Anglo settler, John J. Thompson, moved to Oak Creek Canyon in 1876, an area well known for its peach and apple orchards. The early settlers were farmers and ranchers. In 1902, when the Sedona post office was established, there were 55 residents.

In 1902 Sedona was named after Sedona Schnebly whose husband, Theodore Carlton Schnebly, was requesting area mail service from the US Postmaster General and struggling to find a short unique name. C Schnebly was to become the first Post Master for the town, ,which had 55 residents at the time. The homesteading era in Sedona continued into the 1930s.

Enticed by Natural Beauty, Water and Energy Vortex

It didn’t take long for region’s startling natural beauty to get noticed. As early as the 1920s, the area around Sedona played host to more than 60 Hollywood productions. The list of films included such classics as: Angel and the Badman, Desert Fury, Blood on the Moon, Johnny Guitar, The Last Wagon, 3:10 to Yuma and Broken Arrow.

The discovery in 1951 of a groundwater aquifer under West Sedona opened the way for several new housing developments. Retirees became attracted to the area. Other new residents came for the spiritual and reflective atmosphere, and formed an artistic community. Tourism became a significant economic driver.

Also in the mid 1950s, Sedona became a draw for religious communities who found inspiration and guidance in the red rocks. One such example in 1956 was the construction of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, which rises 70 feet out of a 1,000-foot Redrock cliff. Around the same time a variety of alternative personal development and self-help religions sprang up in the area, which soon became known as a center for New Age consciousness. Some date the beginning of the New Age movement in Sedona to 1963 when a group calling themselves “Ruby Focus” arrived in their quest for energy. They, and many others, found it in what they called vortex energy centers. The New Age movement hit its peak in Sedona in 1987 when thousands of believers descended on the town to witness the harmonic convergence of the planets.

The real boom in Sedona tourism came in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Local ranchers and homesteaders sold property to developers. Area Ranches and the Jordan orchards were transformed into homes designed for retirees. Shopping centers and resorts were built for a new type of tourist who came as often for shopping as well as the magnificent scenery.

    Sedona incorporates into a city

    Until 1988, government in Sedona was divided between Coconino and Yavapai Counties. Given that services to the area were divided, th residents got used to doing things for themselves. Eventually, local people decided they needed more control over local affairs, and an incorporation drive was started, resulting in incorporation into a town in 1988. Today, the strong sense of volunteerism and pride is still held by citizens.

    Source: History of Sedona provided by the City of Sedona


    We skipped the shopping and restaurants to do this fantastic hike!

    We lucked into a beautiful blue-sky day for our hike! The red trails are well maintained and drew us further into the trail system. In addition to the amazing rock formations, highlights included seeing a wild boar crossing the trail about 15 minutes into our hike! Then about an hour later, we heard the haunting sound of a flute-like instrument. Looking around, we spotted the source – a hiker sitting at the top of one of the stone features playing his instrument which echoed off of the stone features.

    More to Explore!

    Visitor Resources

    Annual events include:

    There is something for everyone!

    Arts organizations include:

    Regional Business and Economic Development

    Map of Sedona

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