misha2

On our upcoming trip to the Scottsdale area we've decided ( with the help of those on this forum) to take a day trip to Sedona and a Red Rock Jeep tour. Has anyone done this particular tour? There are so many, but this seems like it would appeal to a 12 and 14 year old and their parents.

The company has offered to pick us up from the restaurant at the Enchantment Resort.
It means missing the first few minutes of the "city" tour, but would be so much more convenient. I figure we could drive through the city later if needed.

What would you do?

Myer

There is no "city" to tour. Clearly the attraction of Sedona is not the town but the surrounding area. The town itself is in the form of a "Y" and is a few t-shirt stores.

While I haven't taken a jeep tour, I did hike the Broken Arrow trail. Pink Jeep together with the National Park Service maintain a jeep "trail" that Pink jeep uses for their Broken Arrow adventure. Several of the Jeeps passed me on the way and although there was a lot of scary yelling, they appeared to be having a great time.

That's got to be one of the most scenic hikes in the area.

If you're going to Sedona as a day trip, why will you be at the Enchatment Resort? It's not in the center of town?

FrankS

I just check'd their website. They seem to have lower prices than Pink Jeep Tours. Did you check out Pink Jeep? Whats the difference?

china_cat

we used Red Rock tours when we were in Sedona. We actually contracted for a private tour, so didn't do that specific one. But the driver we got was in his cowboy getup, I think he does that particular tour when not doing a private one. It was a good ride, and he was very entertaining.

you should definitely take advantage of the pickup. Parking in downtown Sedona can be a pain, so its nice not to bother.

Myer

Doesn't Pink Jeep have their own parking lot?

china_cat

Maybe, I don't know. Perhaps that's one reason they cost more?

But Red Rock does not.

ksucat

I think its perfect that Red Rock jeep tour is picking you up after lunch from Enchantment.
Did you make reservations yet?
The town of Sedona is a couple of blocks of galleries, t-shirt shops, restaurants and new age stuff..not much really.
Over by Enchantment is where your tour will be based around and the area is beyond stunning.
Don't forget your camera and layer on the clothing.
Ask for an extra butt pillow..can get rough.
Pink jeep tour is in the village.
You and your family are going to have a blast!
Report back!

misha2

Thanks. I'm excited. Red Rock has a perfect safety record. Between that, the pick up, the idea that humorous cowboys would entertain and inform and the tour would go through a creek and allow us to visit an old log cabin, it seemed like a good choice.

We are going to Enchantment based on ksucat's suggestion. (thank you ksucat) We made a reservation for 11:30 to give us time for a leisurely lunch and a little walk before the 1:45 pick up.

The very helpful person at Red Rock suggested going to the Mesa airport to watch the sunset. I think I would just be tempted to head back for a nice dinner/room service at the Intercontinental.

Thoughts?

ksucat

I would head back to your hotel after the jeep tour..
cocktails and room service would be ideal.
2 hour drive back.

Like I stated in a previous post that Rock Springs Cafe right off the freeway before PHX on the way home, pick up a pie..good for afterwards with a pot of coffee/tea/hot choc.
Excellent famous place.

Have breakfast/dinner at Lon's at the Hermosa..beautiful setting.
Jean George opened a steakhouse at the Phoenician resort and T. Cooks at the Royal Palms is a must for dinner.

Cave Creek is a gorgeous area north of Scottsdale.
Boulders resort has a great golf course and a spa of Golden Door..cuisine too.

china_cat

its worthwhile to catch the sunset on the red rocks from somewhere. The color is really amazing. Here's a shot I took from up on the airport mesa (actually from Skyranch Lodge)
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...eat=directlink
SO its worth doing, especially if you are into photography at all. But it doesn't have to be up at the mesa. If you have a nice view of the rocks from your hotel, just go back there.

That said, I want to warn you that the jeep tour is really, REALLY dusty. You will probably want to get back to your hotel for a shower. Maybe it's because I was alone in the back of the jeep, but I was totally caked in the red dust. (I would recommend not wearing white too...I never did get the dust completely out of the seams of my white shirt.)

Myer

Yes, the Sedona area is dusty. I spent 3 days hiking around there and the water was less to drink and more to wash out my mouth.

You can see my photos of this trip at:

www.travelwalks.com

Select the 2007 trip that has Sedona in the title.

I went to the Mesa airport for one sunset and the Crescent Moon Picnic Area for the other.

The airport doesn't come close to the sun setting on cathedral Rock over Oak Creek. Look at the photos.

Actually, there was a third sunset. I was packing up to leave the next morning and went out on the back patio of my motel. The sun was breaking thru the clouds and Chimney Rock was in the background. There's a photo of that on my web site.

Not all of the tours go to the same place. Since Pink Jeep maintains the Broken Arrow route I wonder if any others are permitted there? Broken Arrow is very scenic.

If you want to spend an hour and see the most a most amazing view try the Boynton Canyon Vista (not the full Boynton Canyon hike). It's right near the Enchantment Resort.

Both Boynton Canyon hikes start at the same place but the Vista is a slight detour very close to the start.

That together with the Crescent Moon Picnic Area are two of Sedona's Vortex sites (a whole other issue). Great views!!!

An awful lot for a day trip. Any chance you want to stay over for another day?

misha2

Wow! Those pictures are amazing. Already have the hotel booked, so we can't stay overnight. So much to do, so little time. I hope we get a sense of this kind of beauty from the Canyons and Cowboys tour. It almost make me wonder if I should do Broken Arrow or Mongollon Rim. I just thought this tour would highlight the beauty of the area with the history and some fun stories.

The more I know the less sure I am.

Myer

I didn't go on any tours. I spent most of three days doing various hikes. Two or three a day.

There were three or four that were very scenic.

I know that Pink Jeep's Broken Arrow tour goes to Chicken Point which is a beautiful vista. They got out and walked around there. I don't know anything about the others. You'll have to depend on what others say.