Summary: A wonderful, picturesque hike along a flowing creek
Challenge Level: Moderate
Hiking Distance: About 5 - 6.5 miles round trip, depending how far you decide to hike
Trailhead Directions: From the "Y" (the intersection of State Route 89A and State Route 179), drive north on SR 89A toward Flagstaff for 10 1/2 miles. Turn left in to the parking area. The trail starts on the far side of the parking area, furthest away from the entrance.
Description: Located about 10 miles up Highway 89A from the "Y", the West Fork hike is one of our favorites. You'll pay $10 to park here unless you have a Senior Pass (then it will be $5), or a weekly Red Rock Pass (parking at West Fork is included in the $15). As you start the hike, check behind the small building adjacent to the parking area for hiking sticks left by hikers before you. The sticks help you navigate the creek crossings ahead. You'll be crossing the water about a dozen times (actually a total of 13 times if you hike to the end where you need to wade across the creek to continue, some 3.3 miles in from the parking area) as you hike the trail. You have to step from stone to stone to cross, so the hike isn't recommended in high water times (you'll get your feet wet!!). Because of the presence of water, there are many trees along the trail.
West Fork has two wonderful seasons, Spring and Fall. The most beautiful is Fall, when the trees display glorious colors. The third week in October seems to be when the colors are at their peak.
Photos:
Click on the photos below for a bigger view
Our October 2007 Hike Photos
Our April 2008 Hike Photos
Here are some photos taken by Lou Camp in October
2006
Here are photos taken by David Butler on our
October 2009 hike
And photos by Lou Camp on our October 2009 hike
And photos by Lou Camp on our May 2010 hike
Here is a video taken in October 2009
and a video taken in the fall 2010 (It's a 2 1/2 minute 25 MB movie so please be patient while it loads)
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 October 24, 2011
Web Page by Bill Bohan (billbo@greatsedonahikes.com)