Majestic views will soon take your breath away. Look ahead to the red rock canyon walls that rise sharply hundreds of feet above the creek. You'll rock hop across the creek many times during this hike but there are almost always stones laid out to form a natural bridge so even if you're not an experienced hiker you should have little difficulty.

The farther you go, the more beautiful the views. The path is wide black dirt that takes you past ancient ponderosa pines (smell their bark... its like vanilla!), maples, oaks, ferns, reeds, all manner of wildflowers, and other vegetation. Never far from the creek you will be soothed by the sound of gently flowing water.

A little over one mile into the trail you can rest in a natural jaccuzi spot during the summer, or take a dip in one of the deeper areas of the creek. At about one and one half miles you reach one of my favorite spots, an area on the creek with large flat rocks on the side (perfect for picnics) and a water flow that is so shallow, you can lay on the rock bottom of the creek and let the water flow through your hair and all around you. Pure bliss!

Hike back farther and the trail becomes a little narrower as you walk through reeds and then climb up along a ledge in the forest above the creek. At the three mile mark you go down again and reach an area where you must either stop and turn around or go hiking through the water as the red rock walls of the canyon curve overhead. In the summer this is a magical journey. You wade for about 100 yards and then find yourself emerging in canyon areas where you must alternately walk alongside the creek and then through it. I have only gone back about four miles, but I head you can go back about six if you like. If you do, start early.

If you can only take one hike while you are in Sedona, do this one. Red rock canyons, flowing water, gorgeous scenery and a gentle trail combine to make this an all-time favorite that you will want to return to again and again.