Thankful for the Trail: A Thanksgiving Morning Hike in Boynton Canyon

The Vortex and the View

• 📍 Location: Boynton Canyon, Sedona, AZ

• 🥾 Distance: 6.47 miles

• 📈 Elevation Gain: 663 ft

Favorite moment: Having the trail to myself

What a way to start a day of gratitude!

This Thanksgiving, instead of diving into turkey and stuffing, I decided to greet the holiday with a sunrise hike on one of Sedona's most magical trails: Boynton Canyon. And wow, what a way to start a day of gratitude!

Boynton Canyon is famous for more than just its stunning red rock formations; it's also known as one of Sedona's major energy vortexes. While I can't say I felt a sudden jolt of cosmic energy, the peace and powerful presence of the canyon are undeniable, especially early in the morning.

I hit the trailhead just as the sun was beginning to kiss the top of the Kachina Woman rock formation. The air was crisp—perfect for hiking—and the silence was broken only by the crunch of my shoes on the gravel and the occasional call of a bird.

What struck me most was the color palette. The deep red of the towering cliffs, the vibrant green of the juniper trees, and the clear, almost shocking blue of the Arizona sky created a visual feast. As the sun climbed higher, the light changed minute by minute, transforming the rock faces from a deep purple-maroon to a brilliant, almost orange-red.

It was impossible to walk this path without feeling a profound sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the beauty of nature, for the quiet time to reflect, and for the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other. It really put the "thanks" in Thanksgiving.

Thanks for journeying with me!
~ Bridget