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| Hiking | 11.00 Miles |
2,700 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.00 Miles | | | |
| 2,700 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Wilson Mountain Trail provides some stellar views from high vantage points, views well worth the significant (but in no way overwhelming) climb to the large mesa-like expanse at the top. With that in mind, I hiked Wilson Mountain in early March (2022), starting before sunrise at first light, from the Midgley Bridge trail head (the south route up), temperature just at freezing. At the top, I visited both the Sedona Overlook (south view) and the North Canyon end (north view), something I would recommend, i.e., taking the time and effort to visit the overlooks at both ends.
Back in 2006, a fairly extensive fire ran through large portions of where the south trail runs. That has created a contrast in the ambiance of the climb. Around the trail, the ravages of the fire have left a rather barren landscape, a bit desolate looking, with the remnants of burnt trees scattered on the ground or isolated trunks left standing, with new growth scattered somewhat discordantly and randomly. But in the distance, red rock views predominate to the south, and Oak Creek Canyon and the San Fransico Peaks loom to the North.
In terms of the hike and trail themselves, here are trail notes, brief but hopefully informative:
Ascent – Moderate, steady, switchbacks
Trail Surface – Rocks, stones, clay, sand
Navigation – Trail readily followed; few if any false spurs
Wind – on my trip, steady, strong during entire ascent. Anticipate it in winter, dress in layers, etc.
Temperature – On my winter effort, freezing all the way up, as the increasing elevation diminishes the warming sun
Trail Conditions – Ice and snow near top for my ascent for winter, a bit slippery
Descent - Above first bench, trail turns to a thick mud as the March sun melts the ice and thaws the ground by mid-morning
Views on climb – good on way up either starting from Midgley Bridge or Encinoso (north route – took that in spring)
Views at top - Also good views at top at both the north or south overlooks (as mentioned above)
Spring Conditions – North route can be overgrowth a bit and wet from rain/dew, but a bit cooler on way down
Parking – Modest parking lots at both trailheads. Midgley fills up though by mid-morning
Vegetation Note – As mentioned many portions show impact of past fire
Headlamps – In spring/summmer, for an early start in the dark to avoid noon heat, headlamps work fine for trail navigation |
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Route Editor
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Work and other obligations kept me away from the mountains and canyons. And we had Rim-to-Rim coming up the following week! We decided to do something moderate with beautiful views, and Wilson Mountain was the perfect choice. I've done Wilson Mountain multiple times, but never from the North Trailhead, so we started from there. 
