AERIE-COCKSCOMB LOOP

AERIE-COCKSCOMB LOOP

Sedona

Red Rock views on the Aerie Trail

For hikers stepping out on Sedona's rusty soils for the first time, best bet trails to try include Boynton Canyon, Bear Mountain and Fay Canyon. Until recently these crazy-popular routes were isolated from each other, but now the Aerie Trail tethers the trifecta of Upper Dry Creek Area trailheads to it's own roomy parking area. This new access point off Boynton Pass Road provides respite from the boot-clad masses and access to dozens of trails. The 5.2-mile Aerie-Cockscomb loop takes off from this portal swooping around Doe Mountain and the distinctive silhouette of the Cockscomb rock formation. As with any Red Rock Country hike, views long this gently undulating trail are picture-postcard quality and an optional slog up the connecting Doe Mountain spur path offers a panoramic spectacle of color saturated mesas and buttes for those willing to tag on another 1.2 miles to the trek.

HIKE PLAN:

From the Aerie trailhead, begin on Cockscomb Trail. Hike past the Rupp and Dawa junctions and turn left at the Aerie Trail sign at the 3.3 mile point. From here, hike 1.2 miles to the Doe Mountain junction. This 0.7-mile spur trail climbs 460 feet to the summit of a long mesa and is well worth a detour or you can skip the climb and continue 0.7 mile back to the trailhead. All routes are signed.

LENGTH: 5.2-mile loop (6.6 with Doe Mountain spur)

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 4250' – 4660' (5120' with summit spur)
FEE: None. A Red Rock Pass is NOT required at the Aerie trailhead

GETTING THERE:

From the State Route 179/89A traffic circle in Sedona, head 3.2 miles west (left toward Cottonwood) on SR89A to Dry Creek Road. Turn right and go 2.9 miles to Boynton Pass Road (FR152C), make a left and continue 1.5 miles to a “T” junction and veer left to stay on FR152C. Continue 1.4 miles to Aerie Road, turn left and go 0.4 mile to the turn off for the trailhead on the right.

INFO:

Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, 928-203-2900

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=71954&actid=50

MORE PHOTOS:

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DOE MOUNTAIN

View from top of Doe Mountain

Bear Mountain as seen from Doe Mountain

Fancy carin marks a trail on top of Doe Mountain

DOE MOUNTAIN Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness One of the easiest ways to get high enough to enjoy great view vantage points in Sedona is to hike up the Doe Mountain trail. The short, well-worn trail switchbacks among low-growing juniper and cypress trees as it ascends to the top of the isolated red sandstone mesa. Here, many of the area’s most recognizable geological features, including Chimney Rock and Wilson Mountain, are visible in the distance. Once on the summit of the mesa, it’s possible to extend the hike by following one or more of the informal pathways that meander through the high desert scrub to scenic overlooks. LENGTH: 2 miles round trip RATING: moderate ELEVATION: 4,600'-5,000'  GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go north on I-17 to the Sedona/Oak Creek exit 298. Turn east onto SR 179 and continue into the town of Sedona. At the junction of SR179 and US89A (the “Y” traffic circle intersection) turn left onto  89A and continue  3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right onto Dry Creek Road (FR 152C) and continue to the intersection with Long Canyon Road. From there, turn left to stay on FR 152C . At the intersection with Boynton Canyon Road, turn left onto Boynton Pass Road. Drive for about 1.2 miles to the trailhead on the right. FEE: Red Rock Pass required: http://www.redrockcountry.org/passes-and-permits/index.shtml
  INFO:  Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, 928-282-4119
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/red_rock/doe-mtn-tr.shtml