LIME KILN TRAIL: DEER PASS TRAILHEAD TO RED ROCK STATE PARK

Lime Kiln Trail: Deer Pass to Red Rock State Park

Lime Kiln Trail crosses Dry Creek

For most of its 15-mile course, the Lime Kiln Trail winds through a dusty corridor of crumbling sediments and sparse vegetation.  Mountain bikers love the long, flowy route for its epic vistas and clear lines-of-sight that enable speedy traverses of the stark terrain. 

A highpoint vista on Lime Kiln Trail

The trail unwinds as a linear adventure anchored by two water-centric parks with miles of white-rock moonscape in between.  

Hikers who are interested in more than big, airy views and chalky flats underfoot should understand that this is a trail that keeps the juicy stuff close to its opposing terminals.

Sedona red rocks seen from the Lime Kiln Trail.

Named for a kiln built by the “Willard Boys” back in the 1880s to create lime for mortar used in building projects near Cottonwood, the trail runs between Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood and Red Rock State Park in Sedona.  From the Cottonwood (west) end, the trail’s first mile hangs on ledges above the Verde River and the park’s lagoon, passing through a lush riparian area and the historic kiln site before it climbs out onto the desert.  On the Sedona (east) side, the trail’s last 4.8 miles make for a truly magnificent, under-appreciated trek.

Bradshaw Mountains in the distance.

From the Deer Pass trailhead located off State Route 89A, the route begins its descent to Oak Creek by way of dirt roads and a mixed bag of topography and vegetation zones.  Right out of the gate, the route flanks a track of land across the highway from the Sedona Wetlands Preserve that’s irrigated with reclaimed wastewater. A healthy thicket of cottonwood trees hints that the supplemental moisture is benefiting the high desert flora.

Pools of water linger in Dry Creek

Contrary to what you might think; there’s no smell. The next half-mile is an easy stroll over a grassy plateau of scant mesquite, yucca and cacti. To the south, the mesa tumbles off into the Oak Creek gorge while views of the Bradshaw Mountains and Verde Valley in the west and Sedona red-rock massifs bolster the horizons.  Soon, watershed features such as scoured drainages and a series of native stone check dams herald the descent to Dry Creek.  This is also where the route intersects the defunct Kachina Trails system—a maze of dirt horse paths that are no longer maintained.

Lizards hang out at Deer Pass Trailhead.

To stay on track, follow the basket cairns (rock piles wired into posts) that are placed at all junctions and intermittently throughout the trail.  

Junipers are common along the trail.

As the path dips off the grasslands and into the Dry Creek chasm, junipers, pinyon pines and flowering shrubs form a fragrant green fringe. 

Mesquite trees provide a little shade.

At the 1.8-mile point, pass a gate and head right on Forest Road 9845. 

Lime Kiln Trail is popular with equestrians and bikers.

This shared-use road (watch out for ATVs) traces the cliffs above Dry Creek.  

Cottonwoods thrive in an irrigated flat along the route.

Although the intermittent stream mostly lives up to its name, residual pools and lacy rivulets remain for days after rain storms.

Rain water puddles in normally parched Dry Creek. 

A masonry bridge at the 2.5-mile point marks the major creek crossing.

Fall foliage along Dry Creek

Here, stands of Goodding’s willows that blush gold in autumn sprout from the sandy wash.  The fall foliage show usually lasts through mid-November in Sedona’s Dry Creek canyons providing the last vestige of color long after the maple leaf canopies of West Fork of Oak Creek (one of the most popular trails in Sedona for fall foliage viewing) have gone down for the season.

Most of the route follows dirt roads.

This vivid spot can be a good turnaround point for a moderate 5-mile trip. Otherwise, follow the trail as it heads back uphill and crosses Red Rock Loop Road twice before descending to its terminus near the entrance to Red Rock State Park. 

Follow basket carins to stay on track.

LENGTH: 2.5 miles one way to the creek or 4.8 miles one-way to the park.

ELEVATION: 3880 - 3320 feet

GETTING THERE: Deer Pass Trailhead:

From the State Route 179/89A traffic circle in Sedona go 9.7 west (left toward Cottonwood) on SR 89A to Forest Road 89B (past mile post 365). Turn left and continue 0.1-mile to the trailhead on the right. There are restrooms but no water at the trailhead. Trail begins at the sign in the parking area behind the restrooms. No fees unless you enter the park.

INFO & MAP:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=74051

FAVORITE SEDONA FALL COLOR HIKES

FAVORITE SEDONA FALL COLOR HIKES

Oaks and Maples on Boynton Canyon Trail

Right about the same time when the aspens of Arizona's mountain climes have passed their fall color prime, the high desert forests around Sedona are just about ready to peak. Although there are dozens of Sedona-area trails with great autumn leaf viewing, the West Fork of Oak Creek gets most of the love.

With its sound-bouncing russet canyon walls, cascading water and brilliant stand of maples, it's no wonder hikers make a beeline to this hot spot in October.

Although it's arguably the top fall color spot in the state, it will cost you ten bucks to get in and if you arrive later than 8 a.m., you'll probably have to wait around for a parking space.

It's worth the money and the wait, so go ahead and get that one out of your system. Then move on to these other Red Rock Country canyons where you can soak up the eye candy in quieter, gentler surroundings.

BEAR SIGN TRAIL

Bear Sign Trail, Oct 25

Unlike some Sedona routes that have been worn smooth by love, this one feels raw and remote. Tucked into weather scoured hinterlands of Red Rock Secret Canyon Wilderness, the moderate hike rambles through classic high desert flora before ducking into the damp, upper reaches of Bear Sign Canyon. The color show here is courtesy of mustard-colored Gambel oaks, lemony Canyon grape vines, russet sycamores and shocks of crimson sumac scrambled among forests of Arizona cypress and juniper scrub. Actual bear sightings are rare, but signs of their foraging are common along the trail. The hike can be done as a 6-mile out-and-back or as a 7.2-mile loop with David Miller and Secret Canyon Trails. Elevation range is 4,880 to 5,640 feet.

Getting there:

From the "Y" intersection of State Routes 179 and 89A in Sedona go left (toward Cottonwood) and continue 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right, go 2 miles to Vultee Arch Road (Forest Road 152), hang a right and continue 4.5 miles to the Dry Creek #52 trailhead located past the Vultee Arch parking loop on the left. A high clearance vehicle is required on FR 152.

TEMPLETON TRAIL

Templeton Trail, Nov. 3

In a woodsy bend where Oak Creek swerves around Cathedral Rock, willows and cottonwoods arch over the steel blue waterway, caressing the flow that reflects autumn foliage in syrupy whirlpools. To reach the water from the trailhead, follow a 0.3-mile access path along a combo of constructed rock stairs and slick red sandstone marked by basket cairns to the Cathedral Rock/Templeton junction sign. Straight ahead is a short (0.4 mile), semi-technical rock scramble leading to two nice vista points----optional, but not this hike. Instead, head right and follow Templeton, which clings to a rugged, yucca cluttered slope. After about a half-mile, the path swerves for first views of Oak Creek and its flood plains. Here, the route makes an easy but edgy descent to the forested color frenzy along the waterway. A kaleidoscope of massive sycamore, cottonwood, of alder, sumac, willow, walnut and countless shrubs (beware of poison ivy) glow like beacons among cypress and junipers with a backdrop of rusty cliffs to boot. Along the next half-mile, the trail stays by the water exposing countless root-tangled coves and shady spots to relax in this high-desert oasis.

Getting there:

From Interstate 17, take the Sedona/Oak Creek exit 298. Turn left (west) and continue 11 miles on State Route 179 to the traffic circle at Back O’ Beyond Road near milepost 310. Veer left and go 0.6 mile on Back O’ Beyond to the Cathedral Rock trailhead on the left.

BOYNTON CANYON

Boynton Canyon, Oct. 23

Already a hiker favorite for its spectacular geology and soul tingling vortex virtues, the haunting trip through Boynton Canyon also brims with autumnal color beginning in mid-October.

You'll need to hike a few miles through sunny yucca and manzanita before reaching the mouth of the canyon where a frenzy of maple, hoptree, alder and oak trees that sway in gorge-fueled breezes appear as animated watercolors and stained glass. The 7.4-miles roundtrip hike climbs from 4,500 to 5,050 feet, ending in a box canyon wrapped in red sandstone walls soaring hundreds of feet overhead.

Getting there: From the traffic circle at State Routes 179 and 89A in Sedona go left (toward Cottonwood) and continue 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right onto Dry Creek Road (Forest Road 152C) go 3 miles to Boynton Canyon Road, turn left and proceed another 0.3 miles to the parking lot on the right. Roads are paved. FEE: Red Rock Pass--$5 per vehicle is required

SECRET CANYON

Secret Canyon, Oct. 24

A community of pinion pines, juniper and assorted cacti 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 11-mile roundtrip 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 stream bed where torrential storm 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. Elevation range is 4,500 to 5,100 feet.

Getting there:

From the traffic circle at State Routes 179 and 89A in Sedona, go left (toward Cottonwood) and go 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road. Turn right and go 2 miles to Vultee Arch Road (Forest Road 152). Turn right and continue 3.4 miles to the trailhead on the left. A high clearance vehicle is required on FR 152.

RED ROCK STATE PARK TRAILS

Red Rock State Park, Oct 17th

Tame by comparison to some of the aforementioned destinations, the 5-mile trail system at Red Rock State Park is neatly groomed, well signed and outfitted with wooden bridges where they cross Oak Creek. The lovely creekside foliage is augmented with family-friendly features such as a visitor center, picnic areas, restrooms and educational programs. Elevation is 3,880 to 4,080 feet.

Getting there: From the traffic circle at State Routes 179 and 89A in Sedona, go left (toward Cottonwood) on Highway 89A for 5.5 miles to Lower Red Rock Loop Road and follow the signs 3.3 miles to Red Rock State Park. The park is open 7 days 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Entry fee is $7 for adults, $4 for youth 7-13 and free for kids 0-6. Pets are not allowed.

RED ROCK STATE PARK

RED ROCK STATE PARK Sedona Talk about diversity! This 286-acre park really packs in the eye candy in one compact, family-friendly, educational and stunningly beautiful slice of Oak Creek Canyon. More than 10 miles of well-planned, easy-to-follow trails (there are signs with maps at nearly every junction) make for effortless exploring. A dozen routes range in difficulty from the wheelchair & stroller accessible Mesquite Loop to the Eagle's Nest Trail which climbs 300-feet to a scenic lookout above the park. A good introduction to the park trail system is to make a loop hike with the Smoke, Kisva and Eagle's Nest trails. This combo is roughly 5 miles and some change in length and takes you over 3 wooden bridges that span the rushing waters and riparian life zone of Oak Creek and also to the park's yucca-and-cypress-studded high point where interpretive signs explain key features of Sedona's unique geology visible on the horizon. Your seven buck per vehicle entry fee gets you a trail map plus access to free interpretive programs and clean restrooms. LENGTH: 12 trails, 10.3 miles combined RATING: easy & accessible to moderate ELEVATION: 3,880 - 4,080 feet FEES: $10 daily fee per vehicle (up to 4 adults), $3 bike or hike in.   GETTING THERE: From the "Y" intersection of Highways 179 and 89A in Sedona, go left (toward Cottonwood) on Highway 89A for 5.5 miles to Lower Red Rock Loop Road and follow the signs 3.3 miles to Red Rock State Park. INFORMATION: http://azstateparks.com/Parks/RERO/, (928) 282-6907