Coming from an urban environment with lots of light pollution, I was super excited for the night hike and Trail Lovers DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Derrick, our guide, is one of the most knowledgeable people about the environment, flora, fauna, geology and topography of Sedona imaginable. The entire trip up and down he discussed native plants, their history and uses, how they've been used for centuries, what they look like in bloom, you name it, he knew it. An absolutely fascinating guide.
CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE SKY. When we summited Doe Mountain we watched the sky fade to black and a ridiculous parade of stars and planets emerge, including the best view of the Milky Way I've ever seen. We spent about 45 minutes saying WOW while Derrick pointed out sacred grounds and told us more of the history of what we were seeing. (AND showed us how to use the night settings on our phones AND set up green and black lamps to take some killer pictures of us watching the stars)
We never would have attempted a night hike on our own, but with Derrick we felt supported and safe the entire time. I've left Sedona knowing so much more about it than when I arrived, due mostly to the knowledge and patience of the Trail Lovers guides. From picking us up at our hotel, to providing snacks, drinks, backpacks, handwarmers, tissues, headlamps and anything else we could have possibly needed; to making sure we got an unforgettable experience, Derrick and Trail Lovers provided us with a view of Sedona's beauty we never would have found otherwise. THANK YOU!