HILINE TRAIL

HILINE TRAIL

Oak Creek-Sedona

Beware of the double diamond trail rating.  That's mountain bike speak for extremely difficult, and Sedona's new Hiline Trail is most  worthy of this designation. Initially created by the biking community, the trail has been recently stabilized and absorbed into the forest service system.  Renowned for its edgy-ledgey exposure, slick rock and technical chutes, it's not a trail for novice hikers or those who fear heights. The narrow, serpentine route clings to the vertical face of a north-south running butte serving up a carousel of terrific views including  Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock and the mountains surrounding Jerome and Prescott Valley.

At the 1.5-mile point, the trail meets "the Pedestal" a remarkable sandstone outcrop with dizzying vistas and abysmal drop offs.  Beyond the Pedestal, the route becomes even more dodgy, traversing loose rock, tight turns and precariously close-to-the-edge segments on its way to connect with Baldwin Trail where numerous loop options and (safer) return routes can be planned.

LENGTH: 3.2 miles 1-way

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION: 4086' - 4646'

FEE: a Red Rock Pass ($5 daily) is required

FACILITIES: map kiosk, interpretive signs, pass vending machine

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go north on I-17 to the Sedona-Oak creek exit 298 SR179.  Head west on SR179 and continue to the Back O' Beyond traffic circle near milepost 310. Swing around the circle and go 1.4 miles  south on SR179 to the Yavapai Point trailhead on the right. To reach Hiline Trail, hike less than a mile south on the Shady Slim trail to the signed junction.

YAVAPAI POINT TRAILS

YAVAPAI POINT TRAIL SYSTEM

Oak Creek-Sedona

View from Yavapai Vista Trail

Once just a pullout along SR 179, Yavapai Vista has evolved into a buffed-and-polished hiking destination. The site's time-honored interpretive signs describing notable Red Rock Country landforms are now augmented with a meticulously groomed system of short, interconnected exploratory trails. These seven routes, wiggling among slick rock  and pockets of Arizona cypress, offer a quieter alternative to the busy Bell Rock system of trails across the highway. Finding your way around is super simple. Trail maps at each junction make it nearly impossible to get lost, and white dots mark the way where the trails get sketchy on the sandstone mounds.  The path's short lengths are ideal for a quick road trip leg stretch or drama-free treks with kids. For those who prefer longer, more challenging hikes, the system also connects with forest service trails in the Catherdal Rock area.

Slim Shady Trail

LENGTH: 4.7 miles total

Basalt: 0.1

Coconino: 0.3

Hermit: 0.3

Kaibab: 0.1

Made in the Shade: 1.0

Slim Shady: 2.5

Yavapai Vista: 0.3

RATING: easy-moderate

ELEVATION: 4200' - 4400'

FEE: a Red Rock Pass is required. 

FACILITIES: benches, pass vending machine, map kiosks

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, take I-17 north to the Sedona-Oak Creek exit 298 for SR179.  Head west on SR179 and continue to the Back O' Beyond traffic circle near milepost 310. Drive around the circle and go 1.4 miles south on 179 to the Yavapai Point trailhead on the right.