Hiking Alone in Sedona at Night

The answer is because I would try to do whatever I need to get Milky Way shots! And there are not many friends who are willing to do that with me. Sometimes I have to wake up at 2am. I have to stay up until 3am. I understand that they would rather be in bed sleeping. One benefit of shooting Milky Way early in the morning is that you can go hike before the crowds get there or you can grab coffee or breakfast. 

When I first started shooting Milky Way, I drove to Bell Rock parking at 3am. I turned off my car lights and saw how dark it was. I was not able to get outside my car because I was scared. I could not see anything. So, I pulled down my car window, set up my camera, and shot from my car. It took me a few months to get used to being outside alone at night. And it took me a year to get used to hiking at night alone. 

They key was to scout the location during the day. That way, I was aware of the surroundings and knew what was around. Bell Rock is not that dangerous. It is pretty flat and there is no cliff that you could fall off of. But still a good idea to see the location in daylight so you are aware of your surroundings. It becomes more important if you are hiking in, some hikes have multiple trails merging and you need to make sure you can get to the spot and you can get back to your car safely. 

To answer the question, yes, it can be done safely as I have so many times and have not had any issue. If you have a choice to go with someone else, take your friend with you. You would feel more comfy that way. If you are worries about animals, there is very slim chance that you will encounter animals that could hurt you. All I have seen so far is rabbits and javelinas. 

I already answered this question above. But scout the location during the day, be prepared, and just go! There have been times when I asked myself whether I should go or not. But every single time I got out there, I was sooo glad that I did. I have not had a single regret looking at the images I was able to capture. 

Even though I hike at night alone all the time and have not had any issue, I would recommend going with someone else if you can. If you don't have anyone else and have to hike alone, here are the things I would recommend. 

Scout the location during the day. Tell someone where you are going and when you are planning on returning. Keep making noises. I usually have a radio on when I hike alone at night or have key chains on my camera bag so it makes noises when I walk. I also use 2 flashlights to make it look like there are more than one person. Animals will not come close to you if they know that you are there. I also carry a pepper spray or BB gun just in case but have never had to use it. 

When I hike in to take Milky Way photos, more than often than not, I end up just sleeping out there. Here are my fav rocks to sleep or spend the night on. 

Just climb up the Baby Bell next to Bell Rock. You will have a 360 pano view of Sedona including Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, Chicken Points, etc. One of my fav place to shoot a pano of the Milky Way. Just make sure not to fall off of it. 

This place used to be a "secret" place but no more. A short hike from the trailhead gives you a view of Cathedral Rock that you will not forget. Laying there at night is like having a natural planetarium to yourself. Just lay down and count how many shooting stats you see that night. 

The rocks that form the pools provide a nice "comfy" area to sleep in. More than likely, you will have the entire place to yourself until someone starts hiking in in the morning. 

There is nothing better than waking up at the bottom of Birthing Cave in the morning in my sleeping bag. You will be waken up by the sun shining in, birds, or people taking a early morning hike there. I'd suggest that you hike in and out when it is still bright. 

Hope these tips help you get out and shoot Milky Way! Sedona is relatively a safe place. However, SFETY FIRST!!