Soilders Pass & The Seven Sacred Pools

Weather:  47º, overcast, misty

About this Hike:  I first experienced the Soilders Pass trail in September of 2016. This was during my weeklong hiatus in Red Rock Country. During that visit I made it a theme of the trip to explore the Dry Creek / West Sedona trails in depth.

Soilders Pass is a hike with early rewards. Starting off is Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole. Shortly thereafter are the Seven Sacred Pools of Sedona. In September when I visited they were filled with stagnant water and at least one had scary mutant-looking tadpoles swimming about.

Anyway, on this particular Friday parking was a nightmare. The small trailhead is in a ritzy residential neighborhood where you best not even think of parking on the street.  At the back of the trailhead is a turnaround area and a Jeep road.  I waited in this area for at least 30 minutes for a parking spot. Jeepers and ATVs were whizzing by dangerously close to my car.  Of course others were waiting too.  As the first batch of hikers came off the trail, I (politely) informed other waiters I had been there first. Surprisingly nobody gave me a hard time. As the previous hikers backed out I enacted the universal sign of a claimed parking spot—I sat their anxiously, turn signal flashing...

I hoped with all the recent rain the pools would be a little fuller/cleaner. They were better, and no tadpoles this time.  After the pools Soilers Pass gives way to red rock scenery and small arroyos. This opens up to magnificent cliffs as you start to ascend Brins Mesa.  Near the top of Brins Mesa U.S. Forest Service Rangers were trimming manzanita bushes. A misty rain was falling off and on. I didn't go far on Brins Mesa. Someday under better conditions I'd like to go further on Brins and see where it leads to.

Despite the parking wait time and somewhat soggy conditions, this hike was totally worth it. Soilders Pass is a great winter-day (or any time!) hike in West Sedona.

Soilder’s Pass & West Urban Trails

Weather:  82º, sunny (I got sunburned!)

About this Hike:  I explored Thunder Mountain Trail and Lizard’s Head today.  These comprise the “urban trail system” in West Sedona.  The trailheads are easily marked but are in residential areas.  Part of me was curious about reaching the summit of Thunder Mountain, but from what I read this is a treacherous hike and sounded like it could potentially ruin my vacation if something went wrong.

I also did the Sugarloaf Mountain summit which offered some nice views but not much else.  Underwhelmed, I went over to Soilder’s Pass Trailhead where I read there were Seven Sacred Pools. 

Soilder’s Pass ended up being the winner of the day.  Also part of the West Sedona area, it feels less urban as it ascends up the Brins Mesa and into the wilderness.  Along the way is  Devil’s Kitchen Sinkhole, which as the name implies, is a massive sinkhole.  Next up are the Seven Pools.  Nothing like the Seven Sacred Pools on Maui, these are stagnant pools carved into the red rocks. A few had tadpoles swimming in them.

The hike continues on through forest and many dry washes as it makes its way up Brins Mesa.  Along the way you’re afforded great views of Coffee Pot Rock and the backside of Thunder Mountain, which from the back angle is much smaller looking.  Atop the mesa the topography quickly changes to grassland.  There are nice views of the wilderness, but not much else. 

Satisfied from a full day of hiking, I started back from there. Along the trail I met a friendly guy who works as a tour guide in Sedona. (He was off duty and just hiking for pleasure.)  We had a nice chat, and then I found my way back to the trailhead.  There’s a side trail that is signed as “1.2 Miles to Trailhead,” but I have no idea if that’s the  Soilder’s Pass Trailhead or possibly Teacup Trailhead.  I stuck to the beaten path, although the explorer in me wanted to see what was down this side trail.

All in all, West Sedona offers some nice views and varying trails all with great no-fee parking areas.

Seven Sacred Pools of Sedona

Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole