We had an early start to our day two adventures in Arizona as my husband’s conference ended at 9:30 am. Ava and I were up early to take a sunrise (6:30 am) yoga class by the pool. It was everything I envisioned in a Sedona yoga class. And, you couldn’t beat the view.

The four of us decided on Boynton Canyon for the main adventure of the day, a choice that we may have made differently in retrospect. Arizona sunshine in June is more intense than one might expect, and the dry heat is difficult for the unaccustomed skin and airways. Our Boynton hike adventure took us eight long hours of walking through the dusty landscape with enough snacks and sunscreen, but not quite enough water.

The hike, aside from the Subway portion, is considered easy, albeit long. The red trail winds along the canyon floor with views of the red rocks and pockets of welcome shade.

The trail to the end of the main loop of Boynton Canyon is about three miles long. We saw several butterflies along the way, a few lizards, some beautiful wildflowers, and spectacular views of the cliffs.

At the end of the three miles, the trail steepens until it culminates at the mouth of the canyon where smooth red rocks rise into the cliffs. It’s a nice place to stop for photos and refresh the body before turning around.

Although we were already feeling a bit tired and eager for a cold beverage, we were determined to find the hidden Subway trail on our way back. After inquiring about it with everyone we passed along the way, and getting an idea of the general location, we took a gander off the beaten path. Winding our way through a very narrow trail filled with bushes, we encountered a friendly group of individuals who were making their way down from the Subway viewing points. They too had, inadvertently ventured off the unmarked Subway trail, and as luck would have it, they offered to walk back with us to the main trail and point out the entrance we were meant to take, which was ambiguously marked by a sandy inlet with a couple of branches shaped into a rough looking arrow.

I was amazed as we walked, how many people find the deliberately obscure trail and make their way to the most spectacular spot in the Canyon. In fact, many don’t bother with the main trail at all, and just head straight to the Subway. We could understand why when we got there…

Both Boynton Canyon loop and the Subway offshoot are well-worth the trek if you have the time and are prepared with plenty of (cold) water, snacks, sunscreen and appropriate attire. Only my daughter ventured up into the steep crevice of the canyon when we got there, but we all made it to the caves.