Lime Kiln Trail: Deer Pass to Red Rock State Park
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Mesquite trees provide a little shade. |
At the 1.8-mile
point, pass a gate and head right on Forest Road 9845.
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| Lime Kiln Trail is popular with equestrians and bikers. |
This shared-use road (watch out for ATVs)
traces the cliffs above Dry Creek.
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| 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.
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:
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