Category: Arizona

Arizona Trail – Stateline Trailhead

Hike the start (or end) of the Arizona National Scenic Trail from the Utah border. Enjoy beautiful wildflowers in late spring and summer.

Depending how you approach this 800 mile trail, I did the first 4 miles or last 4 miles as an out and back from Stateline Campground on the Utah/Arizona state line and the border of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. This section of the trail does not pass through Vermilion Cliffs N.M. but offers amazing views of the mountains in the park. The trail is difficult and seldom hiked. It is a steady climb to the top of a mountain. Late May and early June are a perfect time to hike this trail because of all the wildflowers that are blooming. I hiked until the first back country dirt road that intersects the trail. It is easy to find your way along the trail and there are plenty of switchbacks along the way to make the climb easier.

In total this was a little more than 8 miles round trip. A trail I would definitely hike again, especially to see the wildflowers with the Vermilion Cliffs in the background.

To get to the trail head, take House Rock Rd from Route 89. Pass the Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass Trailheads. Continue until you reach the Stateline Campground on the right and park there. The trail ascends steadily for the entire 4 miles out. Be prepared and watch for changing weather conditions.

Category: Arizona

Mescal Mountain Loop

A great loop for hiking or mountain bike! All skill levels will enjoy the hike but have some experience is needed if you want to explore by mountain bike.

The Mescal Mountain Loop Hike circles Mescal Mesa using three different trails. Park at the Mescal Trail parking area on Long Canyon Road. The Mescal Trail is 2.4 miles long and winds up to the base of the mesa where it travels along beautiful open slick rock. It is an easy hike but the trail is also open to mountain bikers. For them, the trail is rated difficult to moderate. There are a few difficulty options pointed out by signs along the trail. I really enjoyed this portion of the hike because of the cliffs of Mescal Mesa and the surrounding Secret Mountain Wilderness of Sedona. It is very picturesque.

The Mescal Trail ends when it intersects with Deadmans Pass Trail. By this time, you are now on the opposite side of Mescal Mountain. Turn right and follow the trail for about one mile. Deadmans Pass Trail ends at when it intersects with the Long Canyon Trail.

When you reach the Long Canyon Trail, turn right. The trail travels through a section of desert not within the Secret Mountain Wilderness that surrounds it. To complete the loop, hike the 1.1 mile section back to Long Canyon Road. You will not be at the Mescal Mountain Trailhead but there is a .3 mile connector trail on the right that will take you back to the parking area.

In total, it is about 4.8 miles long and only gains about 500 vertical feet. I highly recommend this hike

Directions: From Route 89A in Sedona, turn right on Dry Creek Rd. Dry Creek Rd eventually becomes Boynton Pass Rd. At the first stop sign turn right onto Long Canyon Rd. Parking for the Mescal Trail on on the right and the trail is on the opposite side of the street.

Category: Arizona

Bell Rock Pathway

The Bell Rock Pathway connects two trailheads along route 179. One is to the south of Bell Rock and the other is to the north. The pathway is very easy and is open to hikers, mountain bikers and horses. So if you are walking, be alert.

I did a portion of this pathway as I hiked a loop around Bell Rock. It was about 7am, a perfect time to beat the heat and people. It is a popular trail because of the easy path and easy access from Route 179. From the pathway, you have access to the Bell Rock Vista Trail and the Courthouse Loop Trail.

Equipment: light hiking shoes or athletic shoes and plenty of water.
Directions: Route 179. If coming from Sedona, park at the north trailhead on the left. If coming from Oak Creek, park at the south trailhead on the right.

Category: Arizona

Fay Canyon Trail

Fay Canyon is one of the shorter box canyons located throughout Sedona. Total length is about 2.5 miles if you do not include Fay Canyon Arch or an attempt to find Fay Canyon Indian ruins. A very easy hike along the canyon floor with a dry wash on the right.

Fay Canyon Arch is just off to the right on the Fay Canyon Trail. It is about a 1/4 mile up the canyon. There is no sign post showing the direction of the arch. As the Fay Canyon trail follows a dry wash on the right, you will see a set of cairns that mark the trail. Cross the wash and follow the well established trail. Soon you will be able to identify the arch. You can walk all the way up to the arch. A nice little side trip form the main trail.

At the end of the trail is a sign stating the end of the maintained trail. Beyond this point you cross over the dry wash and there is a nice area in front of a sandstone fin of sorts that can be explored a bit on either side. If you go early you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the canyon and relax a bit at the end of the trail before returning.

Directions: Located on Boynton Pass rd, between Boynton Canyon rd and the Doe Mountain trail head. You can’t miss the large paved parking area.

Category: Arizona

Superstition Mountains – Weavers Needle Loop

Great desert scenery in historic Superstition Wilderness. Circumnavigate Weaver Needle on this 13 mile loop hike.

This is a difficult hike! Plan on a lot of time and an early start. I did this hike in a clockwise direction which really doesn’t matter much but I recommend the direction to get the steepest part of the hike done first. Most people just do an out and back hike to Freemont Saddle to view Weavers Needle. This is the first section and very steep. If you are doing the loop plan on a 7am or 8am start. Much of this first section will be in the shade at this time.

From the Freemont Saddle, the trail descends to the left. I enjoyed this section as you have great views of Weavers Needle the entire way. The trail is also relatively easy to follow at this point. To continue the loop, the Peralta trail will meet the Dutchman Trail. Take the Dutchman Trail to the right for 1 mile. This has a difficult, rocky up hill section.

After one mile on the Dutchman Trail you reach a post with a sign directing to the Terrapin Trail. This section feels like the longest and never ending. There is also a point when you loss sight of Weavers Needle for the remainder of the way. You will see several side trails to the right which lead to views of Weavers Needle. There is one that looks like you are continuing on the Terrapin Trail and will take you up a steep climb to a saddle and a view of the needle. This trail is marked along the way with cairns making you think you are going the right way. YOU ARE NOT! This is the wrong trail. The Terrapin Trail never goes on the direction toward the needle. This is why it is important to have a good trail map.

Eventually you reach the trail junction with Bluff Springs Trail. From here it is back to the trail head but this section is longer than you think. Much longer. Every time you breach a hill you think you will see the parking area. It was defeating.

I tracked the loop at 12.5 miles with an altitude gain of about 3000 feet in total. I’ve seen other posts that have it at 13.1 miles. Either way it is a difficult hike!