The hike down Soldier Pass to Jordan Trail is approximately two miles.  The trail is moderate but easy when going downhill with a total elevation descent of 450 feet.  Many sights can be seen including two natural arches, the Seven Sacred Pools and the largest sinkhole in Sedona, the Devil's Kitchen.  

For more information go to the U.S. Forest Service Website.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation
/red_rock/soldier-pass-tr.shtml 

The picture on the right shows a view of Soldier Pass

Soldier Pass Trailhead off of Brins Mesa Trail.

Upper Soldier Pass Trail on Brins Mesa.

Upper Soldier Pass Trail on Brins Mesa.  Looking southwest.

Upper Soldier Pass Trail on Brins Mesa - Looking northwest

Upper Soldier Pass Trail on Brins Mesa - Looking southwest

Trail starting down into soldier pass.

View of Bell Rock from the top of Soldier Pass Trail.  To the right of Bell Rock is a mesa on top of which is the Sedona Airport.

Upper Soldier Pass Trail looking south.

Upper Soldier Pass Trail looking east. 

Upper Soldier Pass Trail looking south.  

Upper Soldier Pass Trail looking south.  

Upper Soldier Pass Trail looking west.  Brins Mesa is on the left side of the horizon.  

Upper Soldier Pass Trail looking south.  

Soldier Pass Trail looking south - West side of canyon.

Lower Soldier Pass Trail looking south.

Lower Soldier Pass Trail looking south - West side of canyon. 

As you hike down the trail you will come to the wilderness boundary and a fork with a trail going to the right.  This trail will take you to two arches.  The main Soldier Pass Trail goes straight ahead. 

Soldier Pass Trail - Looking east at an arch.  

Lower Soldier Pass Trail in the canyon.

The picture to the right is looking up Soldier Pass Trail (In the opposite direction of which we have been traveling).  The trail in this area is a creek bed. 

A two cable fence marks the end of the jeep trail.  You are a little over one mile from the Soldier Pass Parking Lot. 

From here the trail proceeds in one of two directions.  Straight ahead as a Jeep Trail or a footpath the left (east).   Both trails lead to the seven pools. 

Facing downhill, Soldier Trail is to the right (east) and leads to the Seven Sacred Pools.

You are approximately:

• 1.2 miles from the parking lot,

• 1.0 miles from Devil's Kitchen and Jordan's Trail.

• 0.75 miles from the Seven Sacred Pools.  

Facing downhill, the Jeep Trail is straight ahead and to the left.

Soldier Pass Trail heading south toward the Seven Sacred Pools.

A rocky part of the trail is encountered which traverses a small stream.

The trail heads uphill.

A stone staircase is encountered which my require a small climb.  I was able to traverse this section standing up.

Turing around and looking in the opposite direction one can see Soldier Pass on the right side of the horizon.

Lower end of  Soldier Pass Trail heading south towards the Seven Sacred Pools.

Lower Soldier Pass Trail looking east.

Lower Soldier Pass Trail looking northeast back up the trail and canyon.

Lower Soldier Pass Trail looking Southwest.

Towards the west, a curious rock formation which looks like a standing man can be seen.

This pictures shows the crevice which holds the Seven Sacred Pools.  Hikers can be seen on the west sided of the crevice next to the jeep trail. 

Looking east, the seven sacred pools can be seen.  In the upper right hand corner of the picture is the trail leading to the Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole.  In the upper left hand corner is the continuation of the Solider Pass Trail up the canyon.

Note:  Soldier Pass Trail is on the east side of the creek bed.  The Jeep Trail is on the west side. 

Lower Solder Pass Trail leading to Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole.

View looking west from lower part of Soldier Pass Trail.

A closer view of the above rock formation.

View east from lower part of Soldier Pass Trail.

A closer view of the above rock formation.

A sidestream traversing Soldier Pass Trail.

Trail maker on Soldier Pass Trail leading from the Upper Northwest Corner of Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole.

Looking back up Soldier Pass.  The Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole on the right side of the picture.  The jeep trail leading up the canyon is on the left side of the picture   

Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole looking east.  

Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole looking southeast.

Devil's Kitchen Sinkhole looking north.

The Sphinx Rock formation - Looking North

Below (south) of the sinkhole is a trail sign for the Jordan Trail Trailhead which goes to the east.  Continuing another 1/4 mile to the south will take one across the main creek gorge of Soldier Pass and to the Soldier Pass Parking Lot. 

Go To:  Brins Mesa Parking Lot via Jordan Trail and Cibola Pass Trail