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LONGSHOT-TURKEY CREEK CIRCUIT
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| Slick rock segment on the Longshot Trail |
Like many intriguing adventure stories, this one begins on a familiar launch pad then dives into things unknown with shiny new temptations and unexpected turns.
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| Longshot Trail |
The Turkey Creek trailhead along Verde Valley School Road in the Village of Oak Creek has evolved from a somewhat remote, lightly used access point for its eponymous trail into a gateway to a growing stable of new hiking routes.
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| Longshot Trail |
The acres of hill-acious high desert west of the super popular trails orbiting Cathedral Rock are being developed with a 21-mile maze of loopy routes that diverge from the legacy Turkey Creek Trail.
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| Ocotillos on the Longshot Trail |
Over the past year, several of the planned routes of the Turkey Creek Trail System in Coconino National Forest have debuted—-Del Sol, Third Rock, Rodeo, Lion King, Pony Up, Hyena and Giddy Up, to name a few.
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| Desert Four O'Clock bloom Mar-Sept |
And, just when it seemed the system couldn’t get any better—it did.
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| New trail ready for permanent signage |
Enter the Longshot Trail. This one, which makes a U-shaped loop off the Turkey Creek Trail one mile from the trailhead officially opened this spring. There’s never a dull moment on this fresh-cut, mile long single track. Every yard is a joy to hike.
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| Big vistas on Turkey Creek Trail |
From the first junction, the route hits a slick rock passage hugging the base of high, red sandstone cliffs. The edgy segment is rife with ocotillo-framed vistas and moderate drop-offs that overlook grasslands below the House Mountain volcano.
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| Strawberry hedgehog cactus bloom Mar-Apr |
The rocky section then dips into shaded juniper-pine-fir woodlands, passing the Pony Up junction at the 1.4 mile point. From here, the trail jogs over drainages that feed wildflower meadows rife with primroses, Miniature Wool Star, penstemons, Blackfoot daisies, and brilliant magenta Desert Four O’Clock.
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| Fragrant cliff-rose bloom Apr-Sept |
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| View from Longshot Trail |
A fringe of blooming cacti and shrubs add continuous splits of color springing from the sandy soils. The west end of the loop rejoins Turkey Creek at the 2.3-mile point. For a 4-miler, head right and follow the basket cairns back to the trailhead.
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| Longshot trail junction |
Kudos must go to the forest service and volunteer teams that constructed these trails.
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| Littleleaf Ratany blooms Apr -Sept |
Clearly, they are experts in sustainable builds that deliver what trail users want—variety, customizable lengths, eye candy and enough challenge to get the heart pounding.
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| Miniature Wool Star bloom Mar - Jun |
The “new trail shine” on these recent additions to the Sedona area hike menu won’t be rubbing off anytime soon.
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| Drainage crossing on Longshot Trail |
LENGTH: 4.2 miles
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 3,901 - 4,022 feet
GETTING THERE:
Turkey Creek Trailhead
From State Route 179 in the Village of Oak Creek, go 4 miles west on Verde Valley School Road to Forest Road 216B on the left. Park in the dirt lot at the large forest service sign a few yards in. Follow the “trail” signs to access the route. There is another optional trailhead a mile down FR216B for those with high-clearance vehicles. There are no facilities or fees at this trailhead.
Roads are paved up to the last half mile which is maintained dirt suitable for all vehicles.
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