overnight with 4 year old in RR/secret mt: loy canyon?

[hchen]

Hi all, I need your know-how planning a little overnight for my family next week. I'm thinking Loy Canyon; seems like the trail descriptions and map read about the same but I want your experience making sure I'm picking a good candidate for a happy trip. We don't get very far since we go kid speed. Ideal is about 2 mi/day (Look bug! Lizard! Bear print! What's that flower?! Lets run, lets take a break, snack time... you get the picture ;) ). We can go up to 6mi., but we find that the mood turns sour when we focus on distance. Hubby and I have accepted that we just don't get very far and we sort of make up for it by staying overnight and enjoying the quiet of the extra time out vs day trips. ANYWAY, HERE'S THE DEAL: our goal is to take in some Sedona-area wilderness. We have 4 days, 3 nights with a short first day driving in from Phoenix. Forecast says there will be rain, want to make sure that our campsite options are safe (flash flood, slick overlooks, exposure if lightening). I'm thinking we will have a heavy carry the first day since we will need to bring all our water for the time out. Maybe go up to secret mtn if conditions seem good. We like to stay close enough to the TH that if something goes bad one of us can hike out quickly (within 2hrs). What do ya'll think, is Loy a good option? Suggestions?

[toddak]

The first few miles are open and gentle, probably make for a good easy first day. Then the trail steepens and the rougher terrain would make camping unlikely, you'd want to get all the way to the rim for the second camp (climbing either north or south up from the saddle to the rim). Then back down the next day. No danger of flash floods or major exposure. Should be fun!

[joebartels]

It's a good option. You'll be lugging your water for most hikes in that area.

Loy offers more shade than you will find on most Sedona area hikes. It is a pretty good trail for the most part and very low traffic. There are camping options on the lower end. I don't recall any slick overlooks, it's more woodsy.

Vultee to Sterling Pass offers more memorable red rock views. Unfortunately it's more traffic, steeper at the end, no place to camp near the saddle and flashes more with all the rock.

Bear Sign / Secret Loop gives you camping options on Bear Sign #59. However there is little shade on the rest.

Loy is car accessible, high clearance for the others.

[hchen]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the feedback.

[autumnstars]

You are sure to have fun! Start them young, I say

[azbackpackr]

You are sure to have fun! Start them young, I say

That's what I did, and I agree, you don't want to push them or they will not have fun. The idea is to show them how they can hike away from the vehicle and camp. And, Loy Canyon seems like a good enough choice.

That's where I met Teva Joe for the first time!

[hchen]

Just an update: the road to Loy was closed when we were headed to TH so we ended up in Fay cyn. Had a great time, even stayed an extra night. More ruins than we could visit, waterfalls (one upside of the rains), the arch and plenty of quiet. What fun! My little hiker did keep saying "it's really rainy in this desert". True the past few days!

[paulhubbard]

Glad yo all had a good time!!

[azbackpackr]

Just an update: the road to Loy was closed when we were headed to TH so we ended up in Fay cyn. Had a great time, even stayed an extra night. More ruins than we could visit, waterfalls (one upside of the rains), the arch and plenty of quiet. What fun! My little hiker did keep saying "it's really rainy in this desert". True the past few days!

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