I love local adventure and scouting trips...
My most recent adventure took me to a place know as Schnebly Hill Vista in Sedona, AZ. This trip had a little bit of everything to it; a jeep adventure, a road trip, beautiful scenery, and even a little healing (if you believe in those things). The star of the trip for me was the Schnebly Hill Road and Vista.
A little background and information. Schnebly Hill Road was originally built back in 1896 as a wagon trail earlier settlers used to cut through the mountains for a shorter route between the Sedona area and Flagstaff . Today, Schnebly Hill Road (FS Road 153) begins at State Route 179, near the Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village in Sedona. The road starts quickly up the hill and runs out of pavement about a mile up, requiring a high clearance vehicle for the remainder of the trip. Throughout the 5 mile trek to the vista, you may see many of the local jeep tours making their way up the 1,800 ascension as well as other tourists and jeep adventurers. If you don't have your own jeep, there is a wide variety of jeep tours and rentals in nearby Sedona. I've listed a few for you reference below. For the most part, everyone is pretty polite and will give you room to get by if they are going too slow for you. I personally like my Jeep ride a little faster and bumpy. There are a few turn outs along the way where you can enjoy the scenery or partake in a hike in the area. At the top of the ascent you find Schnebly Hill Vista, which is about 6,000 feet in elevation overlooking the Verde Valley and Sedona. A perfect place to enjoy the scenery, have a picnic, or take a photo or two.
(Pictured above) One of the few stops along the way to the vista. I was told by a jeep guide that a little hill near this location was considered a spiritual vortex, as is the Schnebly Hill Vista. These vortex provide a quiet and remote place to return to harmony with the self and nature according to local New Age spiritual organizations. I'm personally not into that stuff, but it was a beautiful area to sit and reflect on everything God has provided.
Your probably asking where is the photo of the vista. Well, this was more of a scouting trip for me and I ended up getting to the vista just a tad too late for a good sunset photo. There is always next time and there will be a next time.
Until the next adventure, I hope you stay well.
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Facebook: @candersonphotographyaz