Summary: A trail off the Long Canyon Trail with views
Challenge Level: Moderate
Hiking Distance: About 1.3 miles each way, 2.6 miles round trip
Trailhead Directions: From the "Y", proceed west on State Route 89A three miles and make a right turn on Dry Creek Road. Follow Dry Creek Road to the end (about 3 miles). Turn right on Long Canyon Road and proceed 0.6 miles to the parking area on the left. You'll hike the Long Canyon Trail for 0.6 miles and turn left for the Mescal Mountain Trail. The trailhead for Long Canyon is at the parking area.
Description: You'll pass "Grandma's Cave on the right at about 0.3 miles after you begin the Mescal Mountain Trail. This is a short but steep side trip. Mescal Mountain is a difficult mountain to get to the top. We go to the saddle, between two peaks. While there is a path to the top, it is a very difficult climb, which we do not attempt. The views from the saddle are outstanding and there is no need to scramble to the top. Here is a video of our April 2011 hike (note that this is a 32 MB file so it may take a few minutes to load).
Photos:
Click on the thumbnails for a larger view
Guest Photos:
Here are photos taken by Lou Camp
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 April 10, 2013
Web Page by Bill Bohan (billbo@greatsedonahikes.com)