Being that I’m bout that spa life, coupled with the awe inspiring red rock the area is known for, Sedona was on my radar for a Spring girls getaway. After a quick flight from the San Francisco Bay Area, TK and I met up with Janá at the Phoenix airport and set out in a rental car, excited to start our weekend in Sedona.
Red Rock Roadtrip
Roughly two-hours from Phoenix, the easy drive to Sedona on Highway 17 North passes National Forest on both sides. Gorgeous views of prominent red rocks in the distance, we couldn’t resist pulling over to take pictures along the way.
Getting Settled
A Friday in mid-March, the weather a mild 70 degrees, pulling up to Amara Resort and Spa, our weekend in Sedona had begun! Amara Resort and Spa is breathtaking, with the focal point being an amazing infinity pool in the center of the property, framed by red rocks. Shortly after we arrived and got settled in our room, we took a walk over to the spa to book our treatments. We planned to hike on Saturday, so massages afterward sounded like the perfect way to reward ourselves. With our massages booked, we capped off our travel day with drinks in the jacuzzi as the sun set over the red rocks and dinner at the resort. Then back to the jacuzzi. Perfection.
Rise and Shine
Bright and early Saturday morning (which for us is like 11am or noon) we stopped for a quick breakfast down the street from Amara at Wildflower Bread Company, also grabbing sandwiches to-go for our hike. Before our trip, I read about a hike that led to the ‘Seven Sacred Pools’, one of those natural wonders that sounds mystical and worth going in search of. Janá and TK were down to check it out, so off we went to Coconino National Forest.
In Search of the Seven Sacred Pools
After parking in the lot near Soldier Pass Trail, TK, Janá and I headed for the trail. As we got further from the parking lot, we arrived at what appeared to be a dry river bed with gravel and large rocks. With Janá next to me, I turned to look for TK. She was about 15 feet behind us, looking around skeptically, mumbling something about the boogeyman. Fortunately, TK shook it off and caught up to us- or was scared to be left behind! Either way, we continued to the trail, in search of the Seven Sacred Pools.
Sacred Pools and a Sinkhole?
As we approached the sign above, we could have continued straight, or gone right. We decided to go right; we could check out the sinkhole on our way to the Pools.
The Devil’s Kitchen Sinkhole was pretty impressive, for a hole in the ground. Jagged, dramatic shapes and sharp angles made for some awesome photo ops.
We continued on. Supposedly, allegedly the Seven Sacred Pools weren’t too far. We walked for a bit, enjoying the sun and keeping our eyes open. Occasionally we crossed paths with other hikers. After some time we started asking people, ‘Have you seen the Seven Sacred Pools?’ No one had heard of them. I started to wonder if I’d read it wrong. As our hike went on, the name started changing, ‘Where are the Seven Ponds?’ ‘Are we sure the Sacred Streams are this way?’ ‘I don’t think we’re gonna find the Seven Secret Creeks.’
Follow the Leader
With a couple hours left before our massages, we continued on and crossed paths with a group of senior hikers, setting an impressive pace. Their ‘leader’ was a serious looking man. Maybe 75, he wore hiking shorts and boots with a fanny pack and high tech walking sticks in both hands- they almost looked like ski poles (maybe they were). ‘Do you all have water??!’ he asked us in a loud, gruff voice. He was playing no games. We did have water but we were ready to tap out anyway. The pools/ponds were nowhere to be found and we had massages to get to (#priorities). Headed back, past the sinkhole we made it to the trail sign. Crossing paths with another group at the trail intersection, turns out they had found the pools! If we had gone straight instead of going to the sinkhole we would have run into them after about a 10 minute walk.
The good news, we burned a lot more calories with our roundabout hike- and we eventually made it to our destination.
Wuuusaaaaw
Back at Amara, it was time for fluffy robes, aromatherapy and relaxation. If Amara Resort and Spa is any indication, Sedona’s reputation as a spa destination is well deserved. From the beautifully tranquil treatment rooms and quiet areas to the first rate massage therapists, I’d plan another weekend in Sedona just to visit the spa again. Relaxed and refreshed from our massages, we drove just up the road to Creekside American Bistro for dinner and drinks.
Sunday (Funday)
For our last full day in Sedona, we took full advantage of the gorgeous infinity pool.
After our hiking adventure, lazing around with drinks and snacks, enjoying the sun was the perfect Sunday.
When’s the next weekend in Sedona??
Sedona is one of those special places that you dream about once you’ve visited. If you go, your first trip probably won’t be your last. I hope that’s true for me and my girls. Next trip, I want to see Oak Creek Canyon, take a yoga class, visit the Honanki Heritage Site, browse the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, and of course head back to the spa at Amara. I may need more than a weekend for my next Sedona getaway… 4 days, maybe a week just to be safe.
What else should I explore on my next getaway in Sedona?