Sedona Guide #5: Highway 179 Corridor.

[Douglas Sherman]

This is the third option for getting into the town of Sedona. 89A comes in from the west, Oak Creek Canyon comes in from the north, and 179 comes in from the south. Highway 179 is mostly a four lane, highly traveled, and scenic route (this is the route used by most people traveling from Phoenix) with many turnouts and spectacular views. Bell Rock Pathway, Courthouse Vista, Little Horse Trailhead, Chapel Road, and Yavapai Vista afford wonderful views of the towering red rocks.

When traveling north, the first major turnout is the Red Rock Ranger Station. Here you can purchase a Red Rock Pass and it has some sweeping vistas looking north which are particularly nice in the fall when the Cottonwood trees turn yellow.

Bob Shuman

Doug Sherman


The next major stop is Bell Rock Pathway (RRP). The trail here takes you around Bell Rock and the Courthouse. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to photograph this area. During the spring there may be numerous flowers in late April and early May if the weather cooperates. Soap Tree and other Yuccas bloom every year in April regardless of the weather.

Doug Sherman

Doug Sherman

Guy Schmickle

Doug Sherman

Bob Shuman



At Courthouse Vista there is a mound called "Baby Bell" that provides a nice view of Bell Rock looking to the south and is an especially good place for Milky Way images.

Bob Shuman

Little Horse Trail provides views of the Chapel of the Holy Cross and the Nuns (the two pinnacles to the right side of the image below) when looking to the northeast and the backside of Cathedral Rock when looking west. If you want closer views of the Chapel turn right on Chapel Road and you can park close and walk up to the Chapel.

Doug Sherman

Doug Sherman


This view is along Yavapai Vista Trail. Access to the this trail is on the southbound side of the four lane road.

Doug Sherman

 

[Ben Egbert]

Thanks again for this great write up Doug, another great addition to teh series and some great images to go with it.

 

[AlanLichty]

This is the road I am used to coming into the Sedona area on. I was pretty young at the time but I do remember when the Chapel was built and what an imposing sight it was at the time. Oak Creek Canyon was the primary destination at the time and Sedona was not much more than an intersection along the way.

Once again - an incredible set of images to show the place off. Very nicely presented.

 

[JimFox]

Very cool looking Doug!

You sure have me wanting to come to Sedona and shoot soon!

 

[Douglas Sherman]

Thanks so much for your kind comments, guys. I still need to refine these guides a bit and then I will be done. I can't seem to link each of the parts to the main introduction. I try to copy and paste but it won't work. Any suggestions, Jim?