WEST FORK OF OAK CREEK: POST FIRE

WEST FORK OF OAK CREEK: POST 2014 SLIDE FIRE

Sedona

Narrow Canyon Pool, Oct. 7, 2014

I cried when I first learned that the 2014 Slide Fire had crept into the West Fork of Oak Creek, impacting one of Sedona’s premier hiking destinations. Prior to the blaze, the soaring crimson and buff canyon walls that cradle the creek were embellished with pines, maples, elders, willows and hop trees. In spring, apple blossoms burst from an abandoned orchard and in autumn, the canyon glowed in shades of russet, gold and orange. After a months-long closure, the forest service re-opened the canyon on October 1, 2014.  I re-visited a few days later and found that the damage is minimal. The vast majority of the trail is intact and I only noticed six areas of moderate fire damage---but nothing bad enough to detract from the canyon’s beauty.  Despite our wet summer, water levels in the creek are very low and the sandbars are stained black with ash. But, low water means that hiking into the slot canyon beyond the maintained trail is now easy to do without having to wade. On October 7^th, the leaves were just beginning to show some color, which means the week of the 15^th should be prime time for fall foliage hiking.

LENGTH: 3.3 miles one-way

RATING: easy with 13 creek crossings

ELEVATION: 5324' – 5594’

FEE: $10 daily fee per vehicle or $2 per person walk in

FACILITIES: restrooms, picnic tables, no water

Fire damage at creek crossing #11

GETTING THERE:

From the AZ179/89A traffic circle in Sedona, veer right and continue 10.5 miles north on 89A to the Call O the Canyon trailhead on the left.

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

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=55432&actid=50 
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