Help-Carroll Canyon etc.

[lbeat]

I discovered a trailhead with parking off of Shelby Dr in Sedona. Out a bit are signs for Old Post Trail, Ridge Trail, Bandit Trail and Carroll Canyon Trail. I also notice that Old Post Tr. comes out on a road not far from the famous Red Rock Crossing( Chavez Ranch I believe). Does anyone know of any trail descriptions or maps for these trails? :

[BoyNhisDog]

I missed this post because I was in Sedona.

I have a little Sedona guide that has no reference to any of these trails.

Part of the fun up there is just heading out and discovering things like that. I went for two days and saw an awesome part of the country there. Most of mine was bushwacking and using some parts of the trail system. I like following stream beds. Some of those in Sedona require a bit of climbing.

Let us know if you find any references to your search.

[joebartels]

Lynn

The area you mention is just north of the popular Red Rock Crossing area. Personally I'd go just about anywhere in Sedona but there. It's just too close to the town. It's been about five years but I explored up Carrol Canyon for thirty minutes or so. I really don't remember anything...

I don't know of any books with detailed maps of that area. Sorry...

[montezumawell]

From what we have heard through the 'Sedona Grapevine' these trails you mention are indeed relatively new. New enough to miss being included in the 6th edition of R. Mangum's 'Sedona Hikes.' We understand they will be covered thoroughly in the upcoming 7th edition. There are also a passle of new trails out in the flats between Dry Creek and Doe Mountain. One of them is called the Dawa Trail. We wonder if this means the 'trail creators' are running out of trail names? As far as we can tell, very, very few human beings seem to know the location and 'purpose' of all the trails in the Sedona area. The Forest Service's own signs are notoriously misleading. For awhile we liked to play 'stump Miss Information.' This easy game for all ages can be played by simply going into most of the 'vistor centers' and asking relatively basic questions. So far, they are batting .0000 in correctly answering our questions. About 12-13 percent of your Red Rock Pass actually goes to trail maintenance and construction. The USFS literature says about two-thirds of the fee goes for fee collection and public education and information. Kinda makes you wonder. Supposedly there are one or two trail crews on duty full time there. But in more than 60 days of day hiking there this winter we haven't see hind nor hair of them. Nor signs or scat either, for that matter.
The proliferation of trails in the Sedona area, both in the City itself and on Forest lands nearby is a welcome thing, even if no one really knows or particularly cares where they are or where they go. We have found the best approach to this confusing situation is to ignore it. Simply start off walking down some path and muse to yourself, 'I wonder where THIS goes?' What does it matter? You are walking along, having a wonderful time and enjoying a Wonderful World! Once we got to this sort of 'zen' point in our exploration of the Sedona trail 'system,' every day was delightful and every hike pleasant, rewarding and satisfying. How can you lose?
(PS--It helps to carry a GPS and 'buy' yourself some insurance by setting waypoints on some of those goofy trails, however. Don't EVER assume that a USFS sign is correct and will get you back to your car. YOU are responsible for that part of it. Hope this helps.)

J&S in RR