This was THE most painful hike I've been on EVER! Do not wear shorts. There is an endless sea of bushwacking. It could only be classified as bush wading. I turned around because I couldn't stomach the torture anymore. Actually it had eased up by that point, but my pace was soooooo slow it was getting late. Regardless of the pain, I'm glad to know a new area.

Go as gpsjoe did in his summary when there's snow melt. It will be more enticing and you certainly won't be tempted to wear shorts.

There was a little autumn foliage but nothing exceptional by any means. Coming down in the mountain shadow was very relaxing. The view of Sedona to Verde Valley is nice.

2011 EDIT: after a second hike six years later, I now realize I took a sucker trail at about 2.15 miles