Froggy

Hi all,
My husband are planning a vacation to Sedona in July. That is our only vacation time and we are desert lovers. Last time we were there, which was about 8 years ago, we stayed at the Briarpatch Inn which was nice but we want to try someplace different this time. We love the idea of being by the river and in a cozy cabin. I have read a lot of posts about Sedona and am interested if anyone has stayed at the Junipine lately? We will be in the area for about a week with side trips to Jerome, Cottonwood, and the Grand Canyon. Anything else we should see? Also any good places to eat? As I have said it has been years and things do change. We love the ghost towns and hiking. Not that interest in jeep tours since we have a 4 wheel drive and love to explore by ourselves . Any help would be appreciated.

dncee11

We ate dinner at Junipine last summer and enjoyed it, but it has been a long time since we stayed there, its a bit pricey but nice I'm sure. Don't forget to visit Flagstaff and the Museum of Northern Ariz and the Lowell observitory. Good luck and have fun!

adeewebstr

We're staying at the Junepine the second week of June - first time - but we don't get back home unitl the last of June, so that wouldn't give you much time to make a reservation - or not - based on our experience. My husband goes out there on business, so, for what it is worth, this was the second-tier reccomendation by one of his business friends. The first, whose name escapes me, is a more rustic cabin place and booked solid a year in advance!

emd

I have stayed at Junipine several times. I have a friend who owns a unit there and lets me use it (believe me, I know how lucky I am and how good a friend she is). I have stayed there three times in the last 14 months. It is wonderful, and not just because I get it gratis. However, you really need to understand one thing. The units are NOT air condiditoned. I have stayed there in alte June and it gets hot during the middle of the day. There are ceiling fans, and it gets cool at night, so if you get it cool at night and keep the window covers closed during the day it can stay bearable (although warm at midday), but it will not be cool during midday.
If the warmth in July doesn't bother you, Junipine is great. It is right on the creek, which is of course stoecked w/trout each April, so drop a line w/a corn kernel on it and you have a fish. You are 12 to 15 mintues up the canyon from Sedona so you have less light in the sky up at Junipine, and the stars are phenomenal. SOme units have hot tubs on the decks. Some are very close to the creek, others are a short walk. All hjave two bedrooms, but you can have one bedroom blocked off and rent the unit as a one bedroom. There are no washer dryers in the units but they do have a laundry room onsite. The kithcens are small but fully equipped. Nicely furnished also. Good dining and they will deliver to your room.

emd

sorry about the typos, it is bedtime here.

Uma

Froggy,

I would recommend Heartline Cafe.
Also, check out Enchantment Resort -
either their Yavapai Room (fancier
restaurant) or Tii Gavo (casual). The
views are spectacular here. You would
need to make reservations even for their casual dining. Breakfast or lunch at the creekside restaurant at L'Auberge de Sedona is also nice.

Froggy

Emd:

Thanks for your advice on Junipine. I know how hot it gets in Sedona in July and since we live we in So. California we can tolerate the heat. Junipine sounds just like the place we are looking to stay at for our vacation. During the day we will be exploring the different sites so staying in the cabin during the day won't be a problem. I love the idea of seeing the stars at night away from city lights. Are there cooking facilities in the cabins? And is the location within driving range of the areas we will visit? Thanks for your help.

emd1

Froggy: Junipine is not exactly "cabins", they call them "creekhouses" but they are really like two story townhouses (albeit woody and rustic looking on the outside, but nice and very up to date and cozy on the inside). You will be in an ideal location for the GC trip- you will drive up the rest of the canyon to Flagstaff (lovely drive w/scenic overlook) and to the GC from Flag. Will you try to do that in one day, or stay at GC overnight? We opted to stay at GC overnight- it is like a 2 hr drive I think, but I think it can be done in one day if you don't plan to do alot at GC while there. Jerome is west of Sedona, you will take 89A all the way through Sedona and go out west from there. I believe Cottonwood is also west of Sedona. So you will drive thru Sedona on 89A but it is a nice drive and not congested. And I would not let that drive to Jerome/Cottonwood stop me from staying at Junipine- the drive into Sedona from Junipine is one of my very favorite things about staying at Junipine. You are driving down the canyon and then into the red rock area and it is just breathtaking every time I do it, I never get used to it.
I have done numerous (and often long-winded, but that's just how I am about Oak Creek area) posts recently on this board about things to do, hiking, and where to eat in Sedona, Oak Creek and Flag, so do a search or click on my name and you will find those and others. Regarding hiking, I recommend Richard and Sherry Mangum's book, "Hiking Sedona" (or is it Seodna Hikes?, check my previous posts on that)
Yes, Junipine units have full kitchens w/dishes, pans, coffeemakers, dishwashers, etc.
Froggy, be aware that in that area in July the sun is intense and it is hot enough that it can be difficult to hike at mid-day. One hike that will be cooler and convenient for you (the trailhead is about a mile from Junipine, up the canyon) is West Fork. Wonderful hike into the canyon, and you cross the creek several times (you can hop the rocks) so it is cooler. that was the only hike we could do at mid-day in late June. The hikes in the red rocks were too hot and intense sun for us except for early morning and evening.
You'll need LOTS of water, sunscreen and hats during the hikes.
Be sure to save a an afternoon for Slide Rock State park, down the road about half way to Sedona from Junipine- chekc the posts on that, it is very cool and fun and unusual, like a natural waterpark cut into the red rocks. Take water shoes for that, the rocks are slippery.

retire2007

Years ago we took the Verde Valley train ride which was about 4 hrs long. We booked first class car which was very nice and included hors d'ouerves. Great scenery....very relaxing.

Froggy

Hi Emd<

Thanks again for your help. We were at Gc about 15 years ago and hiked down to the bottom and camped there. This was in late May and boy was it hot. We are planning to go back and see it again. Most likely not stay the night but keep Sedona as our home base. But if the drive is 2hrs, we might think about staying. It all depends on if there are places to stay. As I said before we were in Sedona about 8 yrs ago and loved the Oak Creek area and did spend time at Slide Rock and loved it. I decided to pick that area to stay in because I thought it would be a more convient place to travel to other sites. We most likely will not be visiting the town of Sedona itself and concentrate on the surrounding areas. Someone mentioned Sky Ranch. Do you know anything about that place? We are very casual travelers (being in our 50's) and tend to enjoy the scenery and unsual sites we can discover along the way. You have been a great help and I will be printing out what you have advised.

adeewebstr

How hot will it be in mid-June (re: no a/c at Junepine)? We're in south Florida and tend to keep the a/c on 80 in the summer.

cactushugger

Greetings emd!
You seem to have had lots of wonderful trips to Sedona. I'm hoping you will be the one to answer a question for me.

I am going to rent a house in Sedona for the month of March '05. I love to hike and I love my dog. Do you know how restricted I will be in taking him with me? I've read that dogs are prohibited from the Red Rocks trails. Now I'm wondering about other places in the area. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Gretchen

emd

Gretchen: I have never hiked w/a dog there, and come to think of it, I have done mucho hiking there over the years and have never seen a dog on the trails. Don't know if that means they are prohibited or just random timing of my hikes. I checked all my hiking books and red rock hiking maps and they are slient on dogs. But there is a good tourist center on Hwy. 89A at the "Y" in the road in Sedona (and another one in West Sedona) where I used to stop and get info and they should know, you could call them. The park rangers also have a phone there. Or perhaps if you posted here specifically on this question someone would know. There is also a great AZ hiking website w/lots of active hikers who log their hikes, and that might help: hikearizona.com
adee.: I would say it was in the low 90s at Junipine in late June at midday. But it got so nice a cool at night-- this is what we do in summer: leave the windows open at night w/the ceiling fans going (I think all the units have ceiling fans) and the place really cools off. Then suring the day leave the windows and wondow coverings closed to retain the collness. This actually works well because Junipine is in the canyon and has alot of tree growth around it, also the canyon protects it from alot of direct sun. I would say around 1-4 p.m. it is warm in the unit, not terribly uncomfortable but warm for us, but we were usually out at that time, or if we were at Junipine we would go jump in and splash in the creek- that is easy to do, it is right there outside the door or a short walk from all the units. Don't forget this is dry heat, not sweaty humid heat. It started to cool off quickly at around 5 p.m. (again, early sunsets in the canyon). I would not want to be there in August (my friend who owns the unit did that once and said it was pretty miserable). But late June was fine w/the above plan.
Froggy: I have not stayed at Sky Ranch. But I have been through there and seen the lovely grounds when we were at the airport mesa to see the sunset right next to Sky Ranch. The units look pretty basic, but alot of people on this forum like it and go back. Search for sky ranch and you should get posts. Also Froggy, since you are interested in the stars and if you have an evening free, you might be interested in going to Lowell Onservatory in Flag if you have not done that before. Pluto was discovered there. In summer they open up their big telescopes to the public and set them on different planets and stars; you can call ahead and see when they will be doing it while you are there. One nice thing is it is COOL up in Flag at night and Lowell is at a really high point- I mean cool as in we had to go to Target and get sweatshirts to view through the telescopes at Lowell outside.
Also there is a retired astronomer who lives in Sedona, Dennis Young, and he has huge telescopes and takes people out in the red rocks outside of Sedona to view. I have always wanted to book an evening w/him, but haven't ever gotten to it. You can join up w/a tour group which makes it cheaper or book him yourself. He is apparently somewhat of a character and people in town (and at Junipine) know him- they sell some of his night sky pictures there. I have one that he took of Leonids meteor shower in 2001 through a big telescope and it is amazing- looks like a lightening bolt shootingout of Bell Rock. He has a website w/cool night sky pictures on it.

adeewebstr

emd - Thanks - sounds like it will be fine. I've never experienced "dry" heat before. It's funny: so many posts about how impossible our sw Florida weather is - but we didn't get a/c until I was 8 (dates me, right?) and my grandparents never did - just depends on what you are used to! I do know - drink plenty of water...

OliveOyl

Gretchen, We saw plenty of dogs on the trail to Cathedral Rocks this Thanksgiving. They were amazingly agile and I got a kick out of watching them hop around fearlessly and with ease. Areas we all were taking such care to get down from, they just hopped around.

We also saw a dog with his owner on the Wilson Mtn trail--only one sighting on that trail, but I think we passed only 3 other groups of people all told so that's a pretty good percentage with dogs.

Many of the trailheads are in out of the way areas (but both Cathedral Rocks and Wilson Mtn trailheads are in heavily travelled areas) so I wouldn't think you would have much trouble finding good spots to hike together.

emd

Hi OliveOyl, long time no see. Did you notice that several people have stayed at Hyatt Pinon Point recently over spring breaks and have posted how much they liked it?

Gretchen: I had a yellow lab hiking buddy for years. If your dog likes water, he/she will love Oak Creek. There are so many places for a pup to splash. The West Fork trail would be a great place for a dog hike, you cross the creek several times. A month in a house in March will be wonderful. I envy you. I've never stayed more than two weeks at a time. I've been in April but not March. The wildflowers should be coming out by mid to end of March. The weather will be spectacular, still cool in the mornings and evenings and not too hot all day long. And it won't be too hot to burn the pups foot pads on the rocks- I had that happen once in summer to my dog, ouch. I can only imagine how nice a month will be. After that, you can answer all the Sedona questions!

OliveOyl

Hi emd...I've been very much in and out of the boards recently, but had seen some of the good reviews of Pinon Point, happily. I'm thinking now we need to keep it a secret so there will be availability next time we want to go back! LOL

I've done the West Fork Trail hike as well. We didn't see any dogs that particular day, but what a terrific hike that would be for one, I agree. The water is shallow enough that you don't worry if you slip off a rock while crossing, but dogs would revel in the opportunity for a good splash.

cactushugger

Hello to emd and Oliveoyl,
Thank you both for the canine hiking reports. My English Springer Spaniel, Nick, is a water rat. We'll definitely have to hit the West Fork Trail. Any other hikes we shouldn't miss?

I do indeed feel lucky to have an entire month in Sedona. I don't work from November through April...so, I have the time. This will be my second month-long trip. I spent half of Jan. and half of Feb. in Florida this year. I'm practicing for retirement! (Three years we hope.) My husband joins me for two weeks. Although he is entitled to a 5 week vacation he can't take it all at once. So, for a couple of weeks it may be just me and my furry friend.

BTW We are not wealthy. You might be very surprised at the low rates you can find for month-long house rentals. If you want to see two examples, go to www.EscapetoSedona.com. I have had rates quoted on two of the gorgeous homes listed there. For the whole month of March '05 "Hearts Home" would be $2200. and "Enchanted Sanctuary" will be $2800. (I'm now in the process of finalizing rental of "Enchanted Santuary") When you consider what just a hotel room would cost for that same period of time AND figure what I can save by cooking even half my meals at the house...it really is quite a bargain. (My Florida beachfront rental was about a thousand dollars less!)
Sedona IS pricey!

Here's a tip. You usually have to ask if there is a discounted rate for off-season or for longer rentals. Often that information is not advertized or volunteered.

Happy Travels!
Gretchen

emd

Gretchen: Do you have the hiking book I mentioned? It is like $12 on amazon.com and very worth it. It gives you info on hikes that cross the water and every other kind of hike, and their "personal favorites" are a nice guide to the hikes that I have found the most rewarding also. You also might want to check out the book by the same authors on hikes in Flagstaff in the San Fransisco mountains- different than the red rocks but also very nice and only 40 min away from Sedona (and you get that great ride up Oak Creek Canyon to get there). Since you will be there for a whole month, do check out the Red Rock State Park full moon hike. A ranger will take you on a hike starting at dusk and by the time you get up to the vantage point it is dark and the full moon has risen. You use flashlights on the way down (this is not somehting I'd do without a group, but it is fine w/a group). Hike is very nice, pretty easy but long. When you get down, they have big telescopes set up to view the moon! Highly recommend it, it will give you some company one evening. Nice group on our hike. Check out other activites there, it's a nice park and offers alot, the volunteers who lead the hikes are all residents, mostly retired. Out off of 89A in West Sedona.
Have you checked to see if you will be around during any of the art festivals or the jazz festival? Seodna has a nice year round resident population. Yes, I have thought of retiring there too (in 10 - 15 yrs or so-- should have had my kids when I was younger!) but I have to wait and se what the development will be like there then. Thinking more of Oak Creek area as that can't be developed any more than it already is.
Gosh, your trip is a year away and I am already looking forward to hearing about it.

emd

Gretchen: wowza, that place looks incredible- w/the outdoor private space I can't imagine you'll be in a rush to go out much. i'm drooling.