Coffee Pot Rock Trail, AZ

Overview
This trail branches off about 0.5 mi in on the Teacup Trail, then continues 0.4 mi. The following guide was before all the little trails in the area jelled. Looks like a nice little loop with the Skidmark Trail.


Hike
I was a little surprised that this trail doesn't already appear as a description on HAZ, as it is a nice and easy stroll ending in a bit of adventure and some excellent views, and therefore must be extremely popular. Despite its alleged popularity, I was also surprised that we saw only a few people, and no one shared our vantage point as we watched monsoon season storms descend upon Sedona, bathing her in that ominous yet hauntingly beautiful light so particular to Redrock country.The trailhead is located in a quiet neighborhood accessed from the trail's namesake Coffee Pot Drive, a major crossing that we all notice as we drive west on 89A, perhaps heading for more adventurous trips southwest of town. Of course, Coffee Pot rock itself is a major landmark, looming over the "town" landscape, along with Snoopy and Chimney Rock.

Coffee Pot shares a trailhead with the Teacup and Sugarloaf Summit trails. From the parking area, the trail immediately splits- one going north, the other northeast, which is marked "Summit Trail" on a good small FS sign. Take the north trail for just a short distance to another split, this one unsigned. Take the right fork and continue for a short distance to a T intersection with the Thunder Mountain Trail. This junction is just past some overhead power lines, which are about 0.5 mi from the trailhead. Turn right on the Thunder Mountain Trail.

Soon you will see another junction, this one marked "Summit Trail". I guess that means the Sugarloaf Summit which is off to your right, however you are going to pass right by that Everestesque ascension for the time being and continue for just a short while, at 0.6 mi., where there is yet another unmarked trail leading off to your left. There is a bush here inside a circle of stones. I don't know why. Above you in the near distance looms Coffee Pot Rock.

Take the unmarked trail as it meanders toward the cliffs. Chimney Rock is off to your left, and great views begin to open up on both sides of the trail, albeit townscape is a part of them. The trail will begin the climb, although nothing too difficult. Rock cairns appear occasionally, haphazardly placed it seems to me. There are numerous side trails, but just stay on the one most traveled and keep moving toward Coffee Pot.

Soon the broadest path will veer off a bit to the right and begin heading up the slickrock toward the "spout" of the coffee pot, coming into a ledge which will eventually end, said spout being directly above. However, more adventurous souls can head up the many side trails, some marked with cairns, that ascend more into the base of the cliffs, and of course, the higher you go, the more expansive your views. Chimney Rock stands sentinel over downtown Sedona, while Cathedral Rock is bathed in golden light in the far distance. Coffee Pot Rock is the destination, but the real rewards are, of course, the views. This may explain why the name "Coffee Pot" while appearing many times in this description, is not marked on any trail sign this entire hike!

2006-07-30 AZHikr4444