Guest Blogger: Rob

Meet the team! Rob Holeman, the General Manager here at the Real,  has been with the Sedona Real Inn since it opened. He and his father have owned the hotel for more than 14 years and take pride everyday in our hotel. He is an avid mountain biker and recently went on a fun excursion on some biking trails that aren’t too far from our hotel.  The trails here in Sedona are beautiful and are amazing from the seat of bike.  We have a biking package available if you want to check it out. Here’s what Rob had to say:

About four years ago I started to mountain bike here in Sedona and just got addicted to it. I still do not ride enough. For about 8 months of the year I ride before coming into work a couple of days a week, about 6 to 10 miles depending on my pace; and on the weekends I do 10 plus miles.

Last weekend I was talking to some guests who just got off the trails and told me about how much fun they had riding the Mescal Trail which I had not rode in about 2 years, so many trails not enough time.

I went out and rode the Mescal trail this weekend and they were right, when I rode it last time it wasn’t much of a trail but the Forest Service has done a lot of work. This trail is well marked now with signage at intersections and at the trail heads. As you ride south from Dry Creek road you climb maybe 200 feet in elevation along a mesa then traverse along a Red Rock shelf underneath a taller mesa. In this area you can look straight up the rock face in parts.  Where there is not so much of rock face you have caves. It makes you wonder,  with all Indian dwellings in close vicinity, if there are more up there.

Close to the end you can see into Boynton Canyon, and then off to the west you see the Cockscomb, and behind you is Thunder Mountain. The trail ends on Deadman’s pass, which is the first trail I took a tumble over the handle bars on (fun fun). Deadman’s pass allows you to loop back to Long Canyon road or you can take the Aries Trail from Deadman’s pass to create a spectacular loop.

Until today, my favorite ride was the Templeton Trail which takes you from Bell Rock Pathway to the tip of Cathedral Rock Mescal Trail is less traveled by people which allows the rider to enjoy the ride more.

As I have talked with other bikers since my ride they have informed me that the Forest Service is working on lot of area’s condensing trails, installing signage and just making them safer.  If you like to mountain bike or if you want to try, there is no better place to experience it then here in Sedona. The concierge is very knowledgeable on the trails and so is Over The Edge bike shop (has rentals available). If you are in for the weekend and want to ride with a local (not too crazy) just ask me. I have been considering putting together a weekend ride.

Photo of Mescal trail, courtesy of Over the Edge

Free Workshop: Snakes of the Southwest

A seasoned reptile handler, Russell has been studying and educating people on reptiles and insects for over 50 years. He is a participant in the USGS endangered snake species yearly surveys and is a volunteer with AZ Game and Fish. Several live species of rattlesnake will be featured during this lecture.  Saturday May 19th at 11:00am, at The Hike House!

Reminder! Stories and Practical Tips for Hiking the Grand Canyon will be at The Hike House Energy Cafe there will be free hiking clinic about hiking the Grand Canyon on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 1:00pm. That’s tomorrow!

Awesome Hike! Upper Chimney Rock Loop!

Went on an awesome hike the other day. The Upper Chimney Loop Trail. This hike starts at the Thunder Mountain Trailhead and loops around Chimney Rock. It starts off flat with views of the valley heading back down Dry Creek Road. Coxcomb and Boyntan Canyon can both be seen. About half way through you turn towards Lizardhead Rock formation and get great views of Thunder Mountain. Then you start climbing.

My friend said this was an easy trail and she is super fit, so for her it was, but if you are more of an average hiker like me, I found this to be moderate. Especially in the noon-time sun. Now that summer is here, I am going to stick to morning hiking, because the heat can really suck your energy. It’s 2 and a quarter miles long.

Bring plenty of water.  My friend brought her dog, and the poor pooch was super hot. Every time he saw shade he ran under the shady tree and laid down. We had plenty of water for him too. Be safe with your pets and bring enough water for you both. It’s also good to remember the ground can be hot. Their paws may not like walk on the hot dirt, so morning hikes are best. Or creek hikes to they can cool off easily.

The climb around Chimney Rock was well worth it. The views into the canyon were amazing. I forgot all about being tired as my jaw dropped. After you reach the summit, the rest is easy because it is all downhill. The hike took about an hour and a half. That’s with me stopping a lot for pics and rests in the shade with the puppy.

Highly recommended! We also have a great Hike the Red Rocks Package, that includes, the red rock pass, a couple of water bottles, and Sedona Real Backpacks, and a gift certificate to The Hike House!

Wilson Mountain Hiking Video

Check out the most recent Hiking Video from The Hike House! Wilson Mountain!

Stories and Practical Tips for Hiking the Grand Canyon

At The Hike House Energy Cafe there will be free hiking clinic about hiking the Grand Canyon on Monday, May 14, 2012 at 1:00pm.

The clinic will be led by CJ Malcolm, who is currently the Coordinator of Grand Canyon National Park’s Preventative Search and Rescue Team, known as PSAR. This Team is comprised of 8 Seasonal Rangers and 50 Volunteers. They educate tens of thousands of people a year in safe hiking and respond to hundreds of distress calls throughout the Canyon.

CJ has extensive wilderness experience in nearly every eco-system. He has worked as an Ocean Lifeguard, ski patroller, SAR member, Paramedic, Firefighter and Ranger over the course of 14 years.

On any given day, CJ could be responding in the Park’s Helicopter to a CPR in progress down on the Colorado River or hiking Sedona’s trails with his wife Heather and 5 mo old boy Colter.

Sounds like fun! Everyone should stop by and check it out!