Boynton Canyon Trail #47 Photoset • mt98dew • 2024-09-19 • HikeArizona.COM

Boynton Canyon Trail #47, AZ

	2024-09-19
	26 by mt98dew

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Boynton Canyon Trail #47

Sedona, AZ

Boynton Canyon Trail #47

Sedona, AZ

Hiking	8.50 Miles	1,018 AEG

Hiking	8.50 Miles	3 Hrs 13 Mns	2.64 mph
	1,018 ft AEG

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Early morning hike in Sedona. Got to the TH a little after 6:00am. Second car in the lot.

The park service has made a concerted effort to minimize roadside parking. They have completely fenced the road adjacent to Dry Creek Vista TH and put up no parking signs along the road leading to the Boyton TH. If you don’t get to these popular trailheads early expect to add some miles to your hike, wait for a spot, or use the shuttle service. (Not sure if the shuttle goes to Boyton. There was a sign for shuttle parking, but I didn’t see a schedule for their drop off/pick up time).

My goal was to do the “Subway” first and then do the rest of Boyton. Initially, (and I am somewhat embarrassed to admit

) my eyes were torn between the red rock cliffs and trying to catch a glimpse of someone who could and would spend $800.00 night to stay at a hotel. You should enjoy the cliffs. The first 1.3 miles is your best opportunity to see the canyon without trees obscuring the views. After yesterday’s Soldier Cave misadventure, I was a little worried about finding the turn off for the “Subway”. I needn’t have been. This is a very well used trail. Plus, someone had created an arrow with dead tree limbs to help guide the less observant. The climb up the slick rock to the cave wasn’t too bad, though I wouldn’t want to be climbing on something like that with any exposure. I was happy to discover that I had the Subway to myself. I took some pictures and then saw the Indian ruins. You have to skirt along the edge where there is a little bit of a drop. Not ideal but doable. Checked out the ruins which were in remarkably good shape for all the traffic they see. The solitude didn’t last long. I had about 10 minutes to myself before two separate parties discovered my hidden retreat. (I knew I should have had the arrow pointing in a different direction

). I took the trail down from the ruins (a much easier descent than what I would have experienced with the “Subway” and made my back to Boyton, passing 6 more hikers along the way.

I then took Boyton back to where it ends at the canyon walls. The trail was in great shape, but it incredibly tree enshrouded, so there is very few canyon photo ops along the way. If there are Indian ruins out there, they are pretty well hidden. I wouldn’t mind hiking to some, but I would like to have a clearer idea where they are. I didn’t see the juncture for “Boyton’s backyard”, but there are very few canyon openings, so I think I have an idea where it takes off from. I was surprised at the traffic on Boyton. I briefly had the end of the trail to myself before I was joined by another. Encountered 9 other hikers past the “Subway” turn off. Two were hikers who had missed the “Subway” turn off. I had a pleasant conversation with them as I hiked back to the turn off with them. They were visiting from Wisconsin and were enjoying the Sedona views and weather.

Great hike, though the views were not as breathtaking as I hoped, primarily because the trees blocked much of the views. Still this made for a very shady and cool hike. No wildlife, except for squirrels. A lot of squirrels. The parking lot was full when I got back. Only encountered about 60 hikers for the duration. I think it would have been more, but the parking restrictions make it more difficult for waves of people to flood the area.

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