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Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking Guide
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If you're looking for a hike near Sedona and hiking through a forested canyon appeals to you, this is your hike. This hike is located near Sedona, AZ. From the Sedona area, take HWY 89 about 3 miles after the junction of HWY 179 and HWY 89 in Sedona. Turn right on Dry Creek Road and go 2 miles to the dirt road of Dry Creek Road (FR152). Follow the signs here that point to Vultee Arch. After about 3.4 miles on a sometimes rough road, park at the signed trailhead for the Secret Canyon trail. Be Aware of: Rough road to get to the trailhead, helicopters with tourists buzzing overhead 30 yr old Recommendation: This is a flat hike with some pretty narrows in a deep forested canyon. This is an easy hike. Elevation change: about 400 ft gradual gain.
Distance: 7.0 miles round trip. (you can turn around whenever you like) Time: It took us three and a half hours, with a 20 minute break for lunch. Time of year: all year. Best in spring and fall. Solitude: Not bad. We saw eight other people on this hike. From the cozy parking area, you pick up the trail for Secret Canyon by crossing Dry Creek. Once across dry creek, the trail is easy to follow as it winds through a manzanita and juniper forest. After about 0.5 miles, you will reach the junction for the HS Canyon trail to your left. Stay right here to stay on the Secret Canyon trail. After this section, some elevation is gained and nice views of the surrounding red rock appear. After about 2 miles, you reach the junction for the David Miller trail to the right. Turn left and head into Secret Canyon Secret Canyon soon earns its name by morphing into a pine and oak forest canyon. The walls of the canyon close in and some very pretty narrows arrive to entertain you. When we did this hike in June, there was no water in the canyon, so we left the trail at some point to hike through the narrows of the canyon. We picked up the trail again as it crossed the creek. We hiked a total of about 3.5 miles before we found a nice place on a log to eat lunch and enjoy the peacefulness of the canyon. Unfortunately one drawback of this hike is it seems to be a popular attraction for the Sedona helicopter tours. There is supposed to be some poison ivy in this canyon, so be cautious around 'leaves of three' plants in shady areas. The trail is easy to follow throughout its length and the two trail junctions are well signed. This is a good introductory hike for the Sedona area. When you're ready, return the way you came.
[View from the Secret Canyon trail]
[Narrows in Secret Canyon]
[Ferns along the trail]
This hike was completed in early June, 2007 |
