Outdoor Links
Hike Arizona
Trip Planning Guide
Trip Report Index
Calendar of Events
Library
|
Hiline-Templeton Day Hike Sedona November 9, 2014 by Quy Nguyen |
 Trailblazers’ Eleven at Yavapai Trailhead. |
| Chuck, John, Yanis, Jim, Becky, Monika, Biljana, Mark, Rebecca, Christina, Quy |
|
Ten hikers in two vehicles meet Mark at the trailhead. The weather is nice with a high of 77°. The blue sky has many lines marking airplanes flying around Sedona. We start hiking by Yavapai Vista Trail, and Sim Shady Trail about a half mile to the junction with Hiline Trail. At Yavapai Vista we stop for a while to take pictures and enjoy nice views of Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock, Lee Mountain, Rabbit Ears. We encounter many bikers on the trail because this is a technical biking trail. The Hiline Trail is narrow with many ups and downs, some tight spots. At about 1¼ miles we get the first view of Cathedral Rock. As we continue, the views of Cathedral Rock get closer and better. At a view point of 2 miles, we take another stop to count lines airplanes left in the sky and of course, take more pictures. |
 At Yavapai Vista. |
 Any best shot? |
 Red rock scenery on the Hiline Trail. |
 At a view point. How many lines are there so far? |
|
From there we make a right turn to descend to the base of Cathedral Rock. The trail from here is marked by white arrows on large expansive of slickrock. We step down, hop, walk, and again stop to take pictures and enjoy beautiful views. |
 Yanis is at the edge to get the best shot. |
 Hiking down on the Hiline Trail to the base of Cathedral Rock. |
 Pausing to enjoy Cathedral Rock. |
 Trailblazers continue heading down to the Hiline trail. |
 Hiking on slickrock. |
 Hiline is a technical biking trail. |
|
At three miles the trail begins a steep, slippery, rocky descent for about 0.2 miles. Carefully we hike down by different techniques: using hiking sticks to support, sliding down, watching our footing. |
 John and Chuck hopping on slickrock. |
 Who dares to go first? Bravo, Chuck! |
 We’re not experts. But we are the Trailblazers. |
 Hiking down a narrow canyon of Hiline trail. |
|
When we get to the wash, we hike up a little bit to the junction with the Baldwin Trail, then we turn right on the Baldwin Trail. This trail is mostly flat, shady with Arizona cypress and junipers. Nice views along the way. We turn right on Templeton Trail at the Baldwin-Templeton junction, then stop at Oak Creek under a grove of Big Tooth Maple to have lunch. |
 Hiking on the Baldwin Trail. |
 Enjoying gorgeous fall color along Oak Creek. |
 Nice lunch spot. [photo by John] |
 Reflection of fall foliage on Oak Creek. |
 Water flows in Oak Creek year around. |
 Becky enjoys sitting on Debbie’s log. [photo by JR] |
 The sun shines through Bigtooth Maple leaves. |
|
Templeton is a popular trail for hikers and tourists. The short section of trail is flat under vines, trees, and along Oak Creek. The trail is going up with many switchbacks to the junction of Cathedral Rock Trail. We skip climbing to Cathedral Rock, but continue on Templeton Trail and take the Hermit Trail back to the Yavapai parking lot. |
 Cottonwood. |
 The easy section of Templeton Trail. |
 Spectacular fall color. |
 At the shoulder of Cathedral Rock. |
 Red rock scenery on Templeton. |
 Sleeping Mermaid in the fall. |
 That is the reason we’ve hiked! |
|
We start at 9:30 AM and finish around 2:10 PM. Then we follow Mark to Maria’s Restaurant for refreshment before heading back to the valley. This hike is unique in many ways: amazing red rock formation views, gorgeous fall color, and technical challenges: rock sliding, rock hopping, rock climbing. Thank you for coming to join my hike. Happy Trails! |
 Happy Trails! [photo by Becky] |
Top of Page
Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Phoenix, Arizona
Comments? Send them to the AZHC .
updated April 13, 2020