Devil's Kitchen: Sedona's Collapsed Wonder

Devil's Kitchen, a captivating sinkhole in Sedona, Arizona, offers a glimpse into the region's geological history. Located a short distance from the Soldier Pass Trailhead, this impressive natural landmark is easily accessible and makes for a fascinating visit.The sinkhole's origins trace back centuries, with the first signs of sinking occurring long before Western settlement. A major collapse in the early 1880s dramatically expanded the hole, filling the air with dust that residents reported seeing all day. Another significant collapse in 1989 further widened the opening, increasing its size by about a third.Today, Devil's Kitchen stands as a striking example of geological processes at work. The sinkhole's walls reveal different stages of collapse, with the southern side showing older, rounded rock edges and a patina of manganese oxide, indicating long exposure. In contrast, the northern side features more recent, angular rock faces, freshly broken off. While climbing into the sinkhole is not recommended, visitors can safely view it from various angles and appreciate the unique landscape. The site is also home to agave plants and prickly pear cactus.The sinkhole was formed by subsidence into caverns of paleokarst composed of Redwall Limestone of the Pennsylvanian subperiod. The upper walls of the sinkhole are made of sandstone from the Schnebly Hill Formation, while the lower areas consist of shaly siltstone of the Hermit Formation.