Sedona hiking: red rock, heat management, and which trails were actually worth it

Hiked Sedona and the red rock scenery lives up to the photos. The thing nobody warns you about is how hard the heat and the exposed slickrock hit you — there is very little shade and the rock radiates heat back at you all afternoon. How I handled it: - Start at first light. Everything after about 10 a.m. in warm months is a grind. - Two liters minimum on anything over a few miles, more if you are out midday. - Grippy soles. Slickrock is fine dry and treacherous with any sand on it. - Electrolytes, not just water. Trails ranged from casual to genuinely exposed. Post your favorite Sedona routes — I want a list for the next trip.