Directions: Drive I17 North to Sedona exit. Head into town. Take Highway 89A north for 9.5 miles to about halfway between milepost 385 and 384. The trailhead is on the west side of the highway down a paved lane that leads behind a few creekside houses. Park at the Call O' The Canyon day-use area.
Day-use is $9 per vehicle (up to 5 people), walk-in, bicycle, bus: $2.00 per person. Restrooms available
Last minute decision to go hiking today. Julio decided to take the afternoon off so we got a late start. West Fork has been on my to do list for a while. We headed up there weeks ago but was stopped by rain. Last week the government had the park shut down and it was a mess. This weekend PERFECT! Not a cloud in the sky. 70 degree temperatures at the start of a mid day hike.
Over the years I have hiked alot in Sedona. Most of the Tourist hikes. Here is a short list if you are looking for some good hikes. (Cathedral rock, Bell Rock, Boynton Canyon, Baldwin Trail, Broken Arrow, Devils Bridge, Margs Draw, Slide Rock, Soldiers pass, Voltee Arch) West Fork is one to add to the comeback to list.
We pulled up to a line waiting to get in to the park. At first we hesitated thinking we should leave but we decided to be patient and stick to our plan. It was a 10 minute wait. As one car exits they let one in. Not bad. The price is per car. They also charge if you walk in so keep that in mind. We definitely got our $9 worth today!
Since my adventure is for NEW hikes we learn something every time. This time. Bring a pullover or long sleeves. There were spots that we were cold going in and definitely out because the sun was coming down. It is mostly shaded the whole hike.
We started the hike at 75 degrees. Ended at 56 degrees.
There is a bridge at the start of the trail over the creek. Great spot for a picture. The beginning of the hike is busy. Lots of families traveling. Once you cross a few streams you see less people.
The hike is an easy 7.2 round trip to the end. Easy being flat. Although you have to cross streams and there are several spots were you cross tree roots. For someone older or not as steady on the feet it would be a tricky hike. You can hike for a short while just to see the views and the canyon.
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| First shots of Foliage |
The colors of the trees were amazing. You don't see foliage in AZ often. This hike reminded me of home in Massachusetts and NH. We crossed many parts of the creek. The rocks are positioned to make it fairly easy but there are some spots that you can miss a footing and get wet feet. Make sure your shoes are water proof. The canyon itself is amazing. Tall and various from the white cliffs to the rock rocks. Add the colors of the trees change from green to yellow to orange to red. It is a photographers dream. Good thing I had my handy dandy photographer with me.
Julio and I walked and stopped several times. Great shots for pictures. We brought our lunch (I was told my lunches are getting better. But make two sandwiches) and enjoyed a sunny spot on a rock next to the creek. I highly recommend this hike in the Fall. The addition of the tree color made it even more special. I could add 50 great pictures from our hike. Here are just a few (out of the 200 taken)
Beautiful Foliage with the red rock as the backdrop. Amazing Colors. The reflection of the colors against the creek were really cool!! As we traveled along the creek winding back and forth the colors changed
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| Close up of the branch |
I could put many more pictures. These are a few. Traveling with a photographer makes the trip even more special. I could never get these shots with my iPhone.
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| Shot from a ledge we stood on |
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| View from one side of the canyon |
When you reach the turnaround spot, you will see a sign that tells you after that point the hike requires water wading. It is true. That is also the point that you can camp. Before that you can not camp. No worries here. Camping for me is a Motel 6.
I am so glad that Julio took the day off. So many pictures for my blog. I heard that about 100 times! HA. It was another great adventure. Julio collected two bags on colored leaves. Can't wait to see what he does with those. (before I throw them out)
Here are all the Julio "oh this is a great picture for your blog"shots. You can only imagine how many more of these there are.....
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| This was before he started complaining about the cold. :( |
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| Love on the Ledge |
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| Julio used our lunch baggies to collect leaves! |
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| Strike a pose |
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| Warning you may need to move obstacles |
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| If you are not nice I am gonna leave you here |
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| Drink Break |
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| Waiting for people to cross the creek |
We ended the day stopping at a deli market on Oak Creek, homemade pastries hit the spot. We then watched the sunset from Airport Lookout before heading home. Pretty awesome that this is only 1 1/2 hours away from us. In my opinion Sedona is one of the most beautiful places in the world. We will be back again. I have a few more hikes on my list for Sedona. Hike #5 Check it off!
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| Sunset from Airport Overlook |
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| Guess what number hike this is? |
Again with remote places. The GPS will work and track your hike. Stop the tracking and wait to hit Save on the app. I had to wait til we were close to town.
There is a bridge at the start of the trail over the creek. Great spot for a picture. The beginning of the hike is busy. Lots of families traveling. Once you cross a few streams you see less people.
The hike is an easy 7.2 round trip to the end. Easy being flat. Although you have to cross streams and there are several spots were you cross tree roots. For someone older or not as steady on the feet it would be a tricky hike. You can hike for a short while just to see the views and the canyon.
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