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Day 1: Getting to Peoria
Flew to Phoenix, Arizona with family for a wedding. Arrived on Friday afternoon, just drove to rental house in Peoria and got settled.
Day 2: Papago Park, Phoenix
Went to the Hole in the Rock at Papago Park. It’s a very short walk up to the hole, neat photos. Packed a lunch so we ate at one of the covered shelters in the park – nice setting but nothing spectacular. Drove back to Peoria so sister and her husband could go to wedding while we watched the kids.
Day 3: Sedona
- Devil’s Bridge Trail
- Red Rock State Park
- Chapel of the Holy Cross
- Cathedral Rock Trailhead
We took a day trip to Sedona and set out around 8, got there about 10. Hiked Devil’s Bridge trail to start – awesome hike with a rewarding end, great photo opportunities. We did the long hike since we parked off of Dry Creek Road as we didn’t have a 4×4 to get to the one parking area that’s closest. Pretty easy hike, around 4.5 miles RT.
Devil’s Bridge
Had lunch at Picazzo’s (Italian – great food) then went to the Red Rock State Park to get the great view of Cathedral Rock. Can’t really say it’s worth paying to park for 15 minutes, but it is the best view and some of the best pictures from the trip were taken here.
Cathedral Rock from Red Rock State Park 
Chapel of the Holy Cross
Drove to Chapel of the Holy Cross and went in – I thought it was going to be lame but it really is beautiful. Glad we made the stop.
Then went and parked to hike up to Cathedral Rock. This was a bit more challenging than I thought it was going to be, but my mother (late 50s) did just fine. There are some parts where you might be using all 4 limbs. Total of 1.25 miles RT and 750 feet of elevation gain. Really enjoyed the hike and more views at the end, especially of Courthouse Butte. Drove back to Peoria and flew home the next day.
Courthouse Butte 
Might need to use your hands 
The end of the trail right by Cathedral Rock
Day trip to Sedona was awesome. We hike at a very good clip and knew the day was going to be long and rushed, so what we did is pretty aggressive for one day (especially driving to/from Peoria – around 1 hour 45 mins each way). May want 2 days in Sedona, but we don’t feel like we needed another day. Sister and kids met us at lunch time and left after Chapel of the Holy Cross, so only my mom wife and I did the Devil’s Bridge and Cathedral Rock hikes because of the itinerary.
Traveled in May 2014
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