username
X
password
register
for free!
help
ArticlesGuidesRoutes
 
Photosets
 
 Comments
triplogs   photosets   labels comments more
Cookstove Trail #143 - 11 members in 18 triplogs have rated this an average 3.3 ( 1 to 5 best )
18 triplogs
login for filter options
Dec 30 2024
avatar

 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 30 2024
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Hiking2.24 Miles 745 AEG
Hiking2.24 Miles   1 Hour   51 Mns   1.21 mph
745 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
After my last two hikes I was ready for a nice short trail. This worked perfectly. I parked down the road, so I had to do some road walking to get to the trail. I started around 6:30am. The enclosed canyon was still dark so I had to use my Garmin light for the first 20 minutes. The trail takes off directly across from the natural spring. The trail is a nice single track that starts off with a couple of switchbacks before aggressively going up the spine of the mountain. Pretty cool section with some brief exposure. You can see the general area where the falls would be, but it was quiet today. No water, not a huge surprise with our lack of moisture this winter. The trail alternates between lazy switchbacks and stair climbs. There was an odd fence rail about halfway up. It was one of the more mild slopes, I can’t imagine its purpose. Seemed flimsy. I wouldn’t de surprised if it was toppled in 10 years. The trail summits cutting through some large rocks at the top. Views are minimal at that point, but if you walk south along the rim you get some nice expansive views. I followed a faint, cairned trail for a bit, waiting for sunrise, then took a few pics and headed down. Instead of following the road, I went down to the creek and followed that up river. There was a trail at first, but it soon became a bushwhack.

Neat trail. The canyon is mute before sunrise, but really comes alive under the sunlight. Weather was great; clear skies, cool temps (40’s) and no breeze. No wildlife, and no other hikers. The natural spring across the road was like a QT station with people lining up to fill their jugs. As I was hiking down I watched one person fill up four 5 gallon jugs.
_____________________
 
Aug 09 2017
avatar

 Photos 17
 Triplogs 11

43 male
 Joined Sep 04 2011
 Glendale,AZ
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 09 2017
donaldcole3131Triplogs 11
Hiking2.40 Miles 1,000 AEG
Hiking2.40 Miles   1 Hour      2.40 mph
1,000 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This short trail was pretty hard. This trail switched backed all the way up. Very pretty views, and lots of flowers. Most of the trail was very narrow, with 200-400 ft drop offs.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
_____________________
 
Jul 01 2017
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 36
 Photos 2,890
 Triplogs 658

39 male
 Joined May 30 2008
 Peoria, AZ
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 01 2017
hippiepunkpirateTriplogs 658
Hiking1.10 Miles 385 AEG
Hiking1.10 Miles
385 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Camped for a couple nights with the in-laws at Pine Flat Campground. One night when everyone else was going to bed I headed up Cookstove with the intent to shoot night photos with the waxing gibbous moon lighting up the canyon. I guess its been awhile since I've hiked a steep trail because this one got my calves burning real quick. I stopped at what I like to call the Balcony and played around with some photos while waiting for the Milky Way to creep a little higher over the canyon wall to the south. As the Milky Way was coming into view and I had nailed down a nice composition, some clouds blew up. Got some nice shots with the clouds anyway. Trail seemed steeper than I remember on the way down, but maybe it looks worse in the dark.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Oak Creek Canyon
_____________________
My blog: Mountain Tripper
My book: Arizona: A Photographic Journey
 
May 10 2017
avatar

 Guides 13
 Routes 38
 Photos 1,651
 Triplogs 577

60 male
 Joined Nov 15 2005
 Jackson, CA
Oak Creek quintet, AZ 
Oak Creek quintet, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 10 2017
toddakTriplogs 577
Hiking15.00 Miles 5,000 AEG
Hiking15.00 Miles   8 Hrs      1.88 mph
5,000 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Hiked the 5 road-to-rim trails on the east side of upper Oak Creek Canyon. Up and back down on Purtymun, Thomas Point and Telephone, then up Harding / north on the connector trail / down Cookstove. All are steep, well-constructed trails with scenery and big views. I expected more of a thrash on Purtymun but its in mostly good condition all the way to the rim, so it's clearly getting some use and unofficial maintenance.

Hit Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock on the way out of town, fun slickrock.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Oak Creek Canyon
_____________________
 
Jul 21 2013
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 19
 Photos 3,021
 Triplogs 191

67 male
 Joined Jun 01 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Harding Springs - Cookstove Loop, AZ 
Harding Springs - Cookstove Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 21 2013
paulhubbardTriplogs 191
Hiking3.90 Miles
Hiking3.90 Miles   3 Hrs   30 Mns   1.30 mph
      30 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Partners partners
kplumaz
Teva Joe has written about this loop, a couple of people (including HPP) have traveled it, and I can't believe it doesn't have a lot more photos and triplogs. This is a beautiful loop hike in Oak Creek Canyon. I recommend going up the Harding Springs trail and DOWN the Cookstove trail. Cookstove is steep an sections, and you get to fill up your water at the spring at Pine Flats campground, yum (no filter needed)! If you start early enough, you can park on the east side of the road right next to the Harding Springs trailhead.

We started at around 8:30 and the temps were perfect (a bit humid after the recent rains), and there's plenty of shade on the trail up. On the rim the temps are cooler, and the trail is a pleasant stroll. Don't miss the cairns marking the top of Cookstove (they're hard to miss), and head on down. Once you get to the road it's only about a mile back to the Cave Springs campground.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Horned Lizard
_____________________
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.
 
Sep 02 2012
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 36
 Photos 2,890
 Triplogs 658

39 male
 Joined May 30 2008
 Peoria, AZ
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 02 2012
hippiepunkpirateTriplogs 658
Hiking3.20 Miles 1,400 AEG
Hiking3.20 Miles
1,400 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Up and down twice. Afternoon clouds made for pleasant hiking.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
_____________________
My blog: Mountain Tripper
My book: Arizona: A Photographic Journey
  1 archive
Jan 05 2012
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 05 2012
PrestonSandsTriplogs 2,097
Hiking1.60 Miles 763 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles
763 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
A nice lunch break workout in a most beautiful area. Went to the top then out to an overlook. Quite a bit of ice on the upper parts of the trail; I wished I had brought my YakTrax while hiking back down.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
May 20 2010
avatar

 Guides 73
 Routes 176
 Photos 10,174
 Triplogs 2,324

46 male
 Joined Sep 08 2006
 
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar May 20 2010
JimTriplogs 2,324
Hiking0.80 Miles 700 AEG
Hiking0.80 Miles      50 Mns   0.96 mph
700 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I wanted to take advantage of the time I have off and the great weather we had today to head down to the canyon to hike all 4 of the east canyon trails. I only got 3 of them, and this was the first. The trailhead has a huge area of beautiful and incredibly fragrant (which surprised me as I didn't think they were fragrant) purple mountain lupines. Someone should take a picture of them! I forgot my camera, but they might be worthy of a shot if I got back down there and remember to get some shots.

The trail is short and sweet, and offers some nice canyon views. I think of this as a nice alternative to the Fat Man's loop that happens to be warmer. It might be different when the campground is open, but right now it is a nice lonely trail.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Substantial
_____________________
🍭
 
Mar 21 2009
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 36
 Photos 2,890
 Triplogs 658

39 male
 Joined May 30 2008
 Peoria, AZ
Harding Springs Trail #51Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 21 2009
hippiepunkpirateTriplogs 658
Hiking4.20 Miles 860 AEG
Hiking4.20 Miles   2 Hrs      2.10 mph
860 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
Went up Harding Springs this time and actually did the Harding/Rim/Cookstove loop. It turns out that when I tried this loop, I was at least a half mile from the top of Harding. Go Figure...now I know. I actually lost the rim trail for a while and got to do some bushwhacking! Good stuff. I'm starting to get extremely excited about summertime...these Oak Creek rim climbs are sweet! (and I'll have the mountain at my disposal as well :) )
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
My blog: Mountain Tripper
My book: Arizona: A Photographic Journey
 
Mar 15 2009
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 36
 Photos 2,890
 Triplogs 658

39 male
 Joined May 30 2008
 Peoria, AZ
HC Rim TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 15 2009
hippiepunkpirateTriplogs 658
Hiking2.60 Miles 750 AEG
Hiking2.60 Miles   2 Hrs      1.30 mph
750 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
The original plan was up Cookstove, across HC Rim, down Harding Springs and back to the car along 89A. Up Cookstove and across HC Rim went well, but I couldn't find the jump off for Harding Springs for the life of me! I was even looking at a really good map. I guess all those geography classes aren't helping me much. Next time I'll go up Harding Springs...maybe it'll be easier that way. Despite my insufficient trail finding, I still had an enjoyable time. The views are sweet along the HC Rim Trail!
_____________________
My blog: Mountain Tripper
My book: Arizona: A Photographic Journey
  1 archive
Nov 19 2008
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 36
 Photos 2,890
 Triplogs 658

39 male
 Joined May 30 2008
 Peoria, AZ
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 19 2008
hippiepunkpirateTriplogs 658
Hiking1.60 Miles 700 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles   1 Hour   5 Mns   1.48 mph
700 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Started just after sunrise and was met with a beautiful cascade of light across the west rim. Got a nice workout as I've lost much of my stamina due to be consumed with school, work and injuries. The early light was brutal on my photos, but still a nice morning leg-stretcher.
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
_____________________
My blog: Mountain Tripper
My book: Arizona: A Photographic Journey
 
Oct 25 2008
avatar

 Guides 10
 Triplogs 432

63 male
 Joined Feb 25 2002
 Scottsdale
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 25 2008
TimTriplogs 432
Hiking5.00 Miles 1,000 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   2.00 mph
1,000 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
My buddy Jim and I did this hike as part of a loop utilizing the Harding Springs Trail for the return trip. We pushed off from the Pine Flat Campground at 1:00 and got to the top of Cookstove in about 30 minutes. This is a steep but well maintained trail. The Forest Service has put in place lots of steps in the steep areas and it's a good work out. As we were going up the trail, I noticed that the route I had plugged into my GPS unit was different from the actual route we were on. Instead of meandering up both sides of the draw, the trail went straight up the south side. There is no real signage at the top of Cookstove so it could be difficult to locate if you were coming from the other direction. The top of the Cookstove Trail is at 35 00.722N & 111 44.001W. From here we headed south across the open mesa on the HC Rim Trail, or so we thought. Again, my map had the HC Rim Trail going inland a ways but it turns out that the trail actually hugs the rim's edge. We were probably tracking 300 to 400 yards east of it the entire way. No matter, it was open country and an easy traverse. We ended up intersecting the Rim Trail down closer to the Harding Springs Trail. This is where we got a little confused. Again, my GPS route incorrectly had the trail going down that initial drainage east of the actual entry point. When we kept heading southwest I assumed that we had missed the entry point and were still on the HC Rim Trail heading for the Telephone Trail. We back tracked and messed around for a bit trying to find a trail going down into the drainage but it just wasn't happening. By this time we figured we had bad data and continued southwest along the HC Rim rail until we intersected the Harding Springs Trail at 35 00.122N & 111 43.880W. There is a big post marking this intersection which makes it harder to miss. We went out to the overlook which afforded some really awesome views of the canyon below. The trip down was pretty quick and we got to 89A by 2:00. This was the 3.75 mile mark and it was another 1.25 miles back to our campsite. All told, it was a 5 mile hike in 2 1/2 hours with probably an extra 1/2 mile and 20 minutes or so messing around trying to find our way down. GPS units are great, but only as good as the information one plugs into them. (smile)
_____________________
 
May 14 2008
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 36
 Photos 2,890
 Triplogs 658

39 male
 Joined May 30 2008
 Peoria, AZ
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar May 14 2008
hippiepunkpirateTriplogs 658
Hiking1.60 Miles 700 AEG
Hiking1.60 Miles   3 Hrs   30 Mns   0.46 mph
700 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
My girlfriend and I were camping at the Pine Flat campground in Oak Creek Canyon for a few days and the Cookstove trail head was across the highway from our campsite. It's a relatively steep hike up the basalt capped east rim of the canyon, but is not very long at all. The best part of this hike comes 2/3 to 3/4 of the way up where one of the switchbacks turns a corner and a rocky outcrop juts to the south. The outcrop has numerous large, flat rocks to stretch out on to face a fabulous open view down Oak Creek Canyon toward the West Fork. We went in the afternoon as it was a cold week for it being May (it snowed in Flagstaff the day prior), but the sedimentary rock face of the west rim would be beautiful early in the morning if viewed from anywhere on this trail (but especially the rocky outcrop). The view from the top is partially obscured by trees but also has some nice flat rocks to relax on.
_____________________
My blog: Mountain Tripper
My book: Arizona: A Photographic Journey
 
May 07 2006
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 4
 Photos 8,687
 Triplogs 931

46 male
 Joined Mar 28 2005
 Gilbert, AZ
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar May 07 2006
VapormanTriplogs 931
Hiking 700 AEG
Hiking
700 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Did this as part of a Harding Spring/Cookstove loop. So glad I was coming down this trail and not up it. :lol:
_____________________
Yea, canyoneering is an extreme sport... EXTREMELY dramatic!!! =p
 
Nov 30 2002
avatar

 Triplogs 8

37 male
 Joined Jun 06 2002
 I wish not to sa
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 30 2002
youngboyTriplogs 8
Hiking0.80 Miles 700 AEG
Hiking0.80 Miles
700 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
really fun, really short, really easy and great if you are camping at pine flat
_____________________
 
Mar 10 2002
avatar

 Photos 203
 Triplogs 17

78 male
 Joined Mar 22 2002
 Phoenix, AZ
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 10 2002
bdwilliamsTriplogs 17
Hiking0.80 Miles 700 AEG
Hiking0.80 Miles   1 Hour   45 Mns   0.46 mph
700 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
Live, love, laugh.......and keep a smile in your heart.
 
Sep 25 2001
avatar

 Guides 9
 Photos 120
 Triplogs 117

52 male
 Joined Feb 04 2002
 Mesa, AZ
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 25 2001
ck_1Triplogs 117
Hiking 700 AEG
Hiking
700 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This is a great short hike; especially if you are camping at Pine Flats! I have gone up and down this one a few times, basically each time we camp at Pine Flats. It is not overly hard or long, but the views are tremendous. Plus, once you reach the top, exploring on the rim can be quite fun. We spent a good hour or so just wandering around a bit. While sitting and enjoying a delicious Cookies n' Cream Cliff Bar, we were joined by a gathering of deer. We sat for a good long while watching the 6 deer graze and run about. Something scared them off, and so we headed down. This is an easy hike that is rather enjoyable. Enjoy - ck1
_____________________
Image
'The Journey is the Destination!'
 
Sep 02 2000
avatar

 Guides 9
 Photos 120
 Triplogs 117

52 male
 Joined Feb 04 2002
 Mesa, AZ
Cookstove Trail #143Sedona, AZ
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 02 2000
ck_1Triplogs 117
Hiking0.80 Miles 700 AEG
Hiking0.80 Miles   2 Hrs   10 Mns   0.37 mph
700 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
Image
'The Journey is the Destination!'
 
average hiking speed 1.62 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

helpcommentissue

end of page marker