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| Hiking | 4.00 Miles |
200 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.00 Miles | 8 Hrs | | 0.50 mph |
| 200 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Last time I hit the West Fork up it was January and the water was up to my stomach and running about 38 degrees. Oh what a difference 5 months and a couple of seasons makes. Specifically, about 31 degrees water temperature.
First of all--suggestions. TEVAS, TEVAS, TEVAS. Don't forget socks to avoid blisters. If you are coming from Phoenix, and you are going to do this in the summer when Sedona is jam-packed and you have to navigate through the 179, and then eventually through downtown (and you're in a hurry and you've seen the drive through Sedona hundreds of times and you want to avoid crowds...), I would suggest heading up the I-17, past the Sedona exit (179) and going all the way to the 89 A. When you get to the 89, head south on the 89 and you'll be at the West Fork trailhead (on your right heading south) in 10 mins. You do add miles to the journey going this way, but you avoid the crowds and the slow lines of "rubber-neckers." The 89 south was backed up from Slide Rock to the downtown at 6pm on July 3rd.
Also, if this is the only hike you plan to do for the day, don't make the mistake of buying a red rock pass because you're going to have to pay the $7 entry fee to get in regardless. Finally, if you're going to do this on the weekend, make sure you get to the trailhead by 10am as the parking is limited to about 50 cars.
Do some research on the area before taking the hike, particularly the old lodge ruins near the beginning of the trail. Several presidents stayed here, Hollywood actors, and even Zane Grey while he wrote his masterpiece "Call of the Canyon." it could easily be surmised that much of the work in the "Call" was inspired by the very hike you are about to trek.
This time of year, it's more fun to hike in the creek as opposed to next to it. Depending on how much time you want to spend in the canyon... If you don't have as much time, and want to see as much as possible, use the trail for the first 2 miles + or so, crossing the creek occassionally but staying within the trees for most of the hike, and then getting "wet" towards mile 3 and beyond. You really don't have a choice to stay dry a little beyond three miles. (the forest service is doing a lot of work to repair the trail from mile 2 to 3 due to the recent floods back in Decemberish).
HOWEVER, if you have time, I would recommend hiking up the creek (in the water) for the majority of your hike in (especially if you have a dog). It will take longer, and make your legs a little more tired at the end of the day, but you get to see so much more and experience so much more of the pristine wilderness this way. And, you can think of all those poor bastards 5 miles down the road at Slide Rock swimming in crowded water with God knows what floating past them. Then, take the trail on your way out and you'll be surprised how quickly you make it back to the parking lot.
This may be the "most popular" trail in Sedona, but once you get to 2 miles and beyond, you start seeing fewer and fewer faces. And try to time your hike so that you are leaving around 3 to 4 pm or as the sun is setting. The canyon is most impressive and effective with your camera with the late afternoon light / shadows. |
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| Confuscius say, "He who stands on toilet is high on pot." |
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