Summary: A pleasant hike through a canyon with wonderful views
Challenge Level: Easy to Moderate
Hiking Distance: About 1 1/4 miles each way, 2 1/2 miles round trip
Trailhead Directions: From the "Y" roundabout (the intersection of State Route 89A and State Route 179), drive west toward Cottonwood on SR 89A about 3 miles. Turn right on Dry Creek Road. Stay on Dry Creek Road about 3 miles to the end and a stop sign. Turn left on Boynton Pass Road and proceed about 1 1/2 miles to a stop sign. Turn left, continuing on Boynton Pass Road. The trailhead is the first trailhead on the left side, about 3/4 miles from the stop sign. The trailhead is across the road from the parking area.
Description: Fay Canyon is one of our favorite hikes because it is short (about 3 miles in and out), and very scenic. The trail looks like it ends at a massive rockslide, but you can climb around the slide area and continue on about another ¼ mile if you’d like. You'll find a sign in box on the left side of the trail about 0.2 mile in. Be sure to register. On your left you have nice views of Bear Mountain.
There is a side trail to a natural stone arch about 0.6 miles from the main trailhead on the left. You’ll have to scramble up this trail if you want to see the arch, which is located up next to the cliff face. Note that this side trail is very steep, unmarked and is not maintained. There is a narrow slot near the arch where the rocks have separated and you can “disappear” if you can fit into the opening.
Photos:
Here are the wildflowers
Here are photos by Lou Camp
And some photos taken by Rich Jones
For those of you who have a GPS unit, I have GPS data available for the hike which include "tracks," the route and waypoints.
For detailed information on this hike, consider purchasing a copy of Great Sedona Hikes by clicking HERE.
Great Sedona Hikes
Last Updated May 30, 2011
Web Page by Bill Bohan (billbo@greatsedonahikes.com)