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  This is also where the route intersects the defunct Kachina Trails system—a maze of dirt horse paths that are no longer maintained.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