Cathedral Rock from Red Rock Crossing
These saddle points or "gaps" may be reached via the steep Cathedral Rock trail.

Cathedral Rock is a famous landmark on the Sedona skyline, and is one of the most-photographed sights in Arizona. [1] Cathedral Rock is located about a mile (1.6 km) west of Arizona Route 179, and about 2.5 miles (4.0 km) south of the "Y" intersection of Routes 179 and 89A in uptown Sedona. The summit elevation is 4921 ft. (1500 m.). [2]

The Cathedral Rock trail (USFS Trail #170) is a popular short, steep ascent from the Back O' Beyond trailhead to the saddle points or "gaps" in Cathedral Rock. [3]

Geologically, Cathedral Rock is carved from the Permian Schnebly Hill formation, a redbed sandstone formed from coastal sand dunes near the shoreline of the Pedregosa Sea. Ripple marks are prominent along the lower Catherdral Rock trail. [1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Wayne Ranney (2010), Sedona Through Time: A Guide to Sedona's Geology. Zia Publishing, 3rd edition, ISBN 9780970120380
  2. ^ Cathedral Rock, USGS Geographic Names Information System
  3. ^ Cathedral Rock trail, with photos.

External links edit

34°49′12″N 111°47′36″W / 34.8200185°N 111.7932108°W / 34.8200185; -111.7932108

[[Category:Buttes] [[Category:Hills of Arizona] [[Category:Landforms of Yavapai County, Arizona] [[Category:Protected areas of Yavapai County, Arizona]