Itinerary help please

Question

Sedona AZ

My family and I are a group of four in our mid-40s. We have two kids, ages 16 and 12. We’re looking for easy to moderate hikes that we can enjoy together. This is our first time to Sedona, and I’m a bit nervous because it’s the weekend before Thanksgiving, and I’ve heard it’s always packed this time of year. I’ve also heard that finding parking in Sedona and at the trailheads can be a nightmare, so we’re hoping to start our hikes early in the morning, ideally before 5:00 AM.

I’ve put together a rough itinerary for our trip, but I’d love to get your feedback and suggestions. I’m open to making changes as needed. Here’s what I have in mind:

**Day 1: Friday, November 22**- We’ll arrive in Phoenix at 7:00 PM.- Pick up our rental car and drive to Sedona.- Check into our VRBO (Oak Creek area) and get settled.- Prepare for the next day’s adventures.

**Day 2: Saturday, November 23**- We’ll wake up early and start driving at 5:30 AM towards the Fay Canyon Trail.- After Fay Canyon, we’ll drive to the Boynton Canyon Trailhead and check if parking is available.- If parking is found, we’ll take the trail to Subway Cave. I’ve booked a Pink Jeep Tours tour for 1:00 PM, so I’m not sure if this will be too tight. Please let me know.- After the trail is complete, we’ll head back to Sedona town and have lunch.- We’ve booked a Pink Jeep Tours tour for 1:00 PM (Broken Arrow and Scenic Rim Combo).- After the Pink Jeep tour, we’ll try to find a good spot for sunset (please recommend).

**Day 3: Sunday, November 24**- We’ll wake up early and start driving at 4:30 AM for the Devils Bridge Trailhead. Is 4:30 AM too early? Please let me know.- We’ll complete the Devils Bridge Trail.- We’ll come back to town and have brunch.- We’ll visit the Chapel of Holy Cross.- Unfortunately, we won’t be able to hike the Cathedral Rock as I’ve heard it’s quite challenging in some areas. But can you please recommend a good spot for viewing Cathedral Rock? Can we do a part of it?- We’ll take the scenic byway and come back to the airport Mesa for sunset.- We’ll have dinner after sunset.

**Day 4: Monday, November 25**- We’ll check out of our VRBO and start driving towards Grand Canyon National Park early in the morning.

I hope this helps! Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions. I’m excited to explore Sedona with my family!

Answer

Your Sedona itinerary is well thought out and ambitious, especially for the busy weekend before Thanksgiving. Here’s a detailed assessment and some suggestions to help make it smoother and more enjoyable for your family, including tips for hikes, timing, and parking.

Day 1: Friday, November 22

Arriving in Phoenix at 7:00 PM and driving to Sedona means you’ll likely get there around 10:00 PM, depending on traffic. This should be fine as you’re just checking into your VRBO. Make sure to have your rental car paperwork ready to save time. Overnight rest is important to prepare for early hikes the next day.

Day 2: Saturday, November 23

Starting early at 5:30 AM is a good idea to beat the crowds, especially at popular trails like Fay Canyon and Boynton Canyon. However, note that some trailhead gates may not open until sunrise (around 6:45 AM in late November). Arriving before official sunrise is okay for parking, but it may be dark, so bring headlamps.

Fay Canyon Trail: This is an excellent choice for easy hiking. It’s scenic and manageable for kids.
Boynton Canyon Trail & Subway Cave: This is moderately longer. Given your 1:00 PM Pink Jeep Tour, consider whether you can realistically do the full trail plus Subway Cave before the tour. It might be better to do only the trail or the cave to avoid rushing.
Pink Jeep Tour: Broken Arrow and Scenic Rim Combo is a great way to see iconic rock formations without hiking. It’s perfectly timed after a morning hike.
Sunset recommendation: Airport Mesa or Red Rock Crossing are ideal for sunset views with easy access and ample parking. Arrive about 30–45 minutes before sunset.

Day 3: Sunday, November 24

Starting at 4:30 AM for Devils Bridge is quite early. Sunrise is around 6:45 AM, so you’ll be hiking in the dark for about 2 hours. Headlamps are essential, but you might consider starting closer to 6:00 AM to be hiking in better light while still beating most crowds.

Devils Bridge Trail: Moderate hike with an iconic sandstone arch. Parking is limited, so early arrival is smart.
Chapel of the Holy Cross: Easy drive-up with minimal walking. Great photo opportunity.
Cathedral Rock: Hiking the full trail is steep. For a partial view, consider the first viewpoint along the trail or Crescent Moon Picnic Area across Oak Creek for a picturesque view without climbing.
Scenic Byway & Airport Mesa Sunset: Good plan for an evening drive. Airport Mesa is a repeat, but it offers a different perspective and evening light.

Day 4: Monday, November 25

Early departure to Grand Canyon is smart, especially if you want to maximize stops along the way. Consider a 7:00 AM departure to allow time for stops and to reach the Grand Canyon before mid-afternoon traffic.

Additional suggestions:

Always have backup trails in case trailheads are full (e.g., Bell Rock or Cathedral Rock for shorter hikes with parking along the main road).
Carry snacks, water, and headlamps for early morning hikes.
Consider starting some hikes slightly later to avoid hiking in complete darkness, while still getting early parking.
Weather can be cooler in late November; dress in layers and bring jackets for sunrise and sunset times.
Keep flexibility: If parking is full at Boynton Canyon, skip Subway Cave or switch to another trail nearby.

Overall, your itinerary is doable, but minor adjustments to hiking times and expectations around trail lengths and parking will make it much more enjoyable and less stressful for the family. Focus on the quality of experiences rather than checking every trail off the list.

Itinerary help please

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