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Ted, Sally, Rudy, Cyd, Michael, Alice, Eileen
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Seven saucy Trailblazers set out from Jim Thompson Trailhead
to seek their fortunes on the Cibola Pass Trail.
The weather is just about perfect.
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A blaze of autumn color decorates a wash near Cibola Pass.
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We climb up to Cibola Pass, named for the legendary Seven Cities
of Cibola. The cities were never there, Ted explains, at least in
1540 when Coronado led his grand expedition from New Spain in hopes
of finding them.
Our journey over the pass takes us through Sedona’s red rock
country, thriving with vegetation and a few splashes of autumn color.
Soon we arrive at the Devil’s Kitchen, overseen by the Sphinx
high on a ridge.
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Ted tells of Coronado’s journey [photo by Eileen].
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What’s cooking at the Devil’s Kitchen these days?
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Soldier Pass provides us with a shaded picnic area. |
The Soldier Pass Trail takes up to pass, walking on the east side of
the wash and then crossing over to the west. Along the way we meet
some Jeep tourists at the seven pools and enjoy a distant view of
Bell Rock as we pass some caves over on the ridge.
We meet several groups of hikers out enjoying this beautiful day.
Or lunch break is on the other side of Soldier Pass, with plenty
of shade and a panoramic view.
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Ripe manzanita berries and colorful oak leaves are in season.
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A fire has burned the trees on Brins Mesa, the high point of our hike.
We spot two climbers on the short ridge opposite Wilson Mountain, then
heed the warning of a hiker climbing up the other way who saw a
rattlesnake.
The snake is nowhere to be found. From the top of Brins Mesa our
trail descends, steeply in places, to the wooded valley west of
Wilson Mountain.
There are fantastic rock formations in the distance on both sides.
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Life is returning to Brins Mesa after the fire.
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We spot the Wilson Mountain Barrelhouse,
and a quaint little house on a hill.
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Ever-changing views of the Fin are helpful for navigation
back to Jim Thompson Trailhead. We see Steamboat Rock between
the Fin and Wilson Mountain at the higher elevations, then
they trade places as we get down closer to the trail’s end.
Everyone is in good spirits, thankful for a beautiful day and
the glorious red rock country.
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All’s well that ends well at Steamboat Rock.
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