We wanted to do a hike in the red rocks before we left, so we researched the various trails in the Sedona area to pick our something scenic, but not too difficult. During our research we came across references to a Subway cave, similar to the Subway Cave in Zion National Park. So we settled on Boynton Canyon trail to the side trail up to the Boynton Canyon Subway Cave. We reached the trailhead at noon and secured the only parking spot in the parking lot. We followed the Boynton Canyon trail for about two miles before turning off to the Subway Cave. The trail up to the Subway cave was very primitive and unmaintained. We had the impression the NFS would prefer people did not go to the cave. There is a cliff dwelling in the canyon next to the Subway Cave and many people after climbing up to the cave, work their way around on a ledge to the cliff house and nearby petroglyphs. When we made it to the base of the Subway Cave, one look had Leslie deciding she had come far enough. The climb the last 30 feet was up a steeply inclined slick rock surface. After looking things over and seeing the other people in the cave that had made it up, David decided to go for it. As he was working his way up, Leslie heard two other guys slip and fall, hurting themselves, trying to get up. David made it up the steep rock, partially on his butt, to the extremely cool cave and the view out. David was glad Leslie had not tried it, because it would have hurt her bad knee. It was a dicey climb, fortunately going down was easier than going up. He did not go around to the cliff dwelling since the footing looked very slippery. But the pictures were worth it. The hike out turned into a slog. David could not help but think of another hike out with a group of his fried where they came up with a chant: “Cheese Burger, French Fries, Iced Tea, One more step, cheeks hold together”. We both laughed but could not get the chant out of our heads as we trudged (5.8 miles, 827 feet of elevation gain, 3486 calories burned) our way to the Behemoth. We decided we had earned pizza and beer so we made our way to Pisa Lisa’s for awesome wood fired pizza and local brewed beer.
 |
| Entrance Sign to Boynton Canyon |
 |
| Boynton Canyon |
 |
| Cliff Dwelling near Subway Cave |
 |
| View from back of Subway Cave |
 |
| Looking out of Subway Cave toward Sedona |
 |
| Subway Cave with the climb up to the cave |
 |
| Its steeper and slipperier than it looks |
 |
| David looking down from the edge of Subway Cave |
No comments:
Post a Comment