Posts
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| Oak and maples dominate in Sedona |
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
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| Bear Sign Trail |
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
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| Oak Creek, Templeton Trail |
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| Templeton Trail along Oak Creek |
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
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| Boynton Canyon |
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
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| Secret Canyon sycamores |
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
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.
