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Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking Guide
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If you're looking for a wicked climb near Sedona with fantastic views of Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon, this is your hike. This hike is located near Sedona, AZ. From the Sedona area, take HWY 89A North towards Oak Creek Canyon. At mile post 379, park at the Encinoso Picnic Area. The trailhead is just North of the parking area. Be Aware of: elevation, weather danger. 30 yr old Recommendation: Lots of climbing to awesome views. This is an strenuous hike. Elevation change: about 2300 ft Distance: 7.5 miles round trip. Time: It took us six hours, including 30 minutes for a lunch break. Time of year: summer Solitude: Once you start hiking it, few people can go much further than the first peak. Perhaps you'll see 10 hikers or so after the first 1.5 miles. Sedona has recently instituted a "Red Rock Pass", which is a fancy way of saying you need to pay to play. As of June, 2007, the fee is $5 per day per vehicle. There are plenty of places in and around Sedona to pay this fee and get the receipt, which you need to put on your vehicle rear view mirror to keep from being towed. There's actually two routes to get to the top of Wilson Mountain. This hike details the Northern most route, which is better in the summer months. There is more shade on this trail than the alternate. After walking up the first 1.5 miles and numerous switchbacks, you get a nice view of Oak Creek canyon and the parking area. Walk along the rim another 0.7 miles to a trail junction. Take a right at the trail junction (the left fork follows the Southern route) and continue another 0.7 miles up more switchbacks. At the top, there's another fork. The left fork goes 0.8 miles to a great view of the Sedona area. The right fork goes 1.5 miles to a great view of the Oak Creek Canyon. You win either way. I recommend doing them both, after all, you've already paid the price in elevation, you might as well enjoy the rewards of your hard work. You gain a good bit of elevation on this hike. If you see black clouds roll in or hear thunder or see lightning, head back down. This is a long hike, so bring plenty of food and water.
[Wilson Mountain (as seen from the East Pocket fire lookout)]
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