SEDONA FALL COLOR UPDATE 2011: SECRET CANYON

SECRET CANYON TRAIL #121

Red Rock Secret Canyon Wilderness, Sedona

A community of pinion pines, juniper and assorted cactuses at the trailhead belie what lies ahead on Secret Canyon Trail. Epic views of Sedona’s red rock landscape dominate the first 1.75 miles of this hike before the trail makes a sharp westward swerve at the mouth of the canyon. From here, the route leaves the shade-less chaparral plunging into a streambed where torrential spring water runoff and blowing dust have carved bizarre sculptures in the sandstone escarpments flanking the path. Residual pools of water stand at the bases of moisture-hungry cottonwoods with heart-shaped, lemony leaves.

Near the 5-mile point, the trail enters “the narrows”, a series of slick-rock corridors hemmed in by a vertical fortification of sandstone with clusters of blood-red maples and rusty-orange oaks bursting from the rubble-strewn canyon floor. Beyond this point, the trail degrades into a quagmire of scree and undergrowth, which is why most hikers make the narrows their turnaround point. However, those with good route-finding skills can opt to scramble, squeeze and scoot along a sketchy footpath for another half-mile.

LENGTH: 5.5 miles one-way

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION: 4,500 – 5,100 feet

DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 134 miles

GETTING THERE:

From the “Y” intersection of SR179 and SR 89A in Sedona, go left through the traffic circle (toward Cottonwood) and go  3.2 miles west on 89A to Dry Creek Road. Turn right and go 2 miles to Vultee Arch Road (Forest Road 152). Turn right and follow FR152  3.4 miles to the trailhead on the left. A high clearance vehicle is required on FR 152.

FEE: Red Rock Pass--$5 per vehicle is required. http://www.redrockcountry.org/passes-and-permits/index.shtml

INFO: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock District, 928-203-2900

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/secret-canyon-tr.shtml

SEDONA FALL COLOR UPDATE 2011: HUCKABY TRAIL

Fall color is arriving later than usual along the US 89A strip of Oak Creek this year. Although we found sprigs of blazing red sumac and some nice golden sycamores, willows and common hop trees, peak color has yet to arrive. The next couple of weeks will be splendid. 

Crossing Oak Creek--you WILL get wet

HUCKABY TRAIL

Sedona

Arizona sycamore

Ever drive up US89A to the spot near Grasshopper Point and Midgley Bridge?  Yup—it's a madhouse, especially in autumn when the sycamores, cottonwoods and willows lining Oak Creek take on gorgeous tawny hues.  Swarms of visitors scramble for coveted parking spots along this scenic and precipitous curve in US89A in order to hike, bike or simply take in the views from the road.  An alternative way to get to the sweet color spots under the bridge with (somewhat) less congestion is to begin hiking three miles downstream at the Schnebly Hill trailhead and follow the Huckaby Trail to the creek.

This relatively new trail (est. 1998) starts out in classic Sedona, yucca-and-cypress-studded, high-desert terrain, then dips into the shady, riparian corridor of Oak Creek Canyon via a series of moderately challenging twists and turns.  Near the 2.3-mile point, the route meets the creek where you’ll have to rock-hop or do a knee-deep wade to the west bank in order to complete the final 0.3-mile  uphill leg to US89A and the north end of Midgley Bridgley.

LENGTH:  5.2 miles roundtrip

RATING:  moderate

ELEVATION:  4,500' – 4,300'

FACILITIES: Huckaby Trailhead: restroom, picnic tables.  None at Midgely Bridge trailhead.

FEE: A Red Rock Pass is required: $5 daily fee per vehicle. The permit kiosk at Huckaby trailhead was not working on 10-22-11.  That's why it's smart to purchase your pass at  local vendors like Circle-K, cuz, the trailhead kiosks seldom work (at least in my experience). We also saw a ranger checking windshields for passes today. Check out this link to learn more about the Red Rock Pass Program:

  http://www.redrockcountry.org/passes-and-permits/index.shtml

DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 125 mile one-way

GETTING THERE:

SCHNEBLY HILL TRAILHEAD:

From Phoenix, go  north on I-17 to exit 298 (SR179 for Sedona-Oak Creek).  At the bottom of the offramp, turn left (west) and follow SR179 to Schnebly Hill Road in Sedona, located at the  traffic circle/bridge over Oak Creek (and before the Talaquepaque center).  Veer right thru the traffic circle, and go 0.8 mile  on Schnebly Hill Road to the trailhead (signed for Margs Draw, Munds Wagon and Huckaby) on the left.  Roads are 100% paved.

MIDGELY BRIDGE TRAILHEAD:

From I-17, follow SR179 to the “Y” junction with US89A in Sedona. Veer right through the traffic circle and go 1.9 miles north on 89A to the parking area on the northwest side (left) of the bridge.  The trail begins under the bridge.  Roads are 100% paved.

INFO: Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, 928-282-4119

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/huckaby-tr.shtml

MORE PHOTOS:

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PAYSON FALL COLOR REPORT 2011: MOGOLLON RIM

BARBERSHOP TRAIL #91

LENGTH: 4.5 miles one way
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 7,200 – 7,600 feet
PEAK COLOR: early to late October
GETTING THERE: From the intersection of SR87 and SR260 in Payson, go east (right) on SR260 and drive 30 miles to Rim Road (Forest Road 300, which is located across from the Rim Visitor Center). Follow FR 300 for 23 miles to Forest Road 137. Turn right on FR 137 and drive 4 miles to the trailhead, which is located across the road from Buck Springs Cabin. FR300 is maintained dirt--usually ok for passenger cars but with a few dodgy spots.
INFO: Coconino National Forest, Mogollon Rim Ranger District, (928) 477-2255,
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/mog_rim/barbershop-tr.shtml

Typical view along Forest Road 300 "Rim Road"