Weather: 67º, cloudy, very windy
About this Hike: Back in January of 2017 I climbed Bear Mountain for the first time. It was a fun, steep, and challenging hike then, and it still is to this day.
The waterfall near the beginning of Bear Mountain was dry and the San Francisco Peaks were barren of snow as well––testament to this year of drought.
Besides the challenge, I enjoy the sweeping vistas and views into the surrounding Secret Mountain Wilderness-area canyons. There are also spectacular views all the way south to Bell Rock and north toward the San Francisco Peaks.
I also believe I saw the Robbers Den cave trailhead. This was on my list of spots to explore when I have my Xterra in Sedona (due to the dirt road), but I've heard it's a heavily trafficked tourist trap. The view from above sufficed.
After completing Bear, I wanted to do something more in the Dry Creek area and opted for Long Canyon via Deadman's Pass. The trail is accessed at Boynton Canyon Trailhead. I should also mention that these popular, crowded parking areas do require a Red Rocks Pass and kiosks are available at most parking lots.
Long Canyon was an especially awesome hike as it was unexplored territory for me. Once you're into the actual canyon it follows a dry creekbed. The foliage gets thicker and you're in shaded forest largely comprised of juniper, AZ Cypress, and some pines. Dramatic red and buff-colored cliff walls surround. You have to just simply pause and take in all the unique lines, spires, temples, and shapes that time and erosion have carved into the sandstone.
I explored Long Canyon for about 1.5 miles and then returned the way I came. It's far too long (no pun intended!) of a trail for one day, especially after an intense climb up Bear Mountain. While the temps were great today and the cloud cover kept the scorching sun off, the wind was a force to contend with. By the end of my hike the gusts were whipping up dust devils everywhere, and I was glad to be finished.
Secret Mountain and the Dry Creek Basin intrigue me every time I visit Sedona and leave me with future hiking plans in this area. There are so many canyons to be explored here.
About this Hike: Back in January of 2017 I climbed Bear Mountain for the first time. It was a fun, steep, and challenging hike then, and it still is to this day.
The waterfall near the beginning of Bear Mountain was dry and the San Francisco Peaks were barren of snow as well––testament to this year of drought.
Besides the challenge, I enjoy the sweeping vistas and views into the surrounding Secret Mountain Wilderness-area canyons. There are also spectacular views all the way south to Bell Rock and north toward the San Francisco Peaks.
I also believe I saw the Robbers Den cave trailhead. This was on my list of spots to explore when I have my Xterra in Sedona (due to the dirt road), but I've heard it's a heavily trafficked tourist trap. The view from above sufficed.
After completing Bear, I wanted to do something more in the Dry Creek area and opted for Long Canyon via Deadman's Pass. The trail is accessed at Boynton Canyon Trailhead. I should also mention that these popular, crowded parking areas do require a Red Rocks Pass and kiosks are available at most parking lots.
Long Canyon was an especially awesome hike as it was unexplored territory for me. Once you're into the actual canyon it follows a dry creekbed. The foliage gets thicker and you're in shaded forest largely comprised of juniper, AZ Cypress, and some pines. Dramatic red and buff-colored cliff walls surround. You have to just simply pause and take in all the unique lines, spires, temples, and shapes that time and erosion have carved into the sandstone.
I explored Long Canyon for about 1.5 miles and then returned the way I came. It's far too long (no pun intended!) of a trail for one day, especially after an intense climb up Bear Mountain. While the temps were great today and the cloud cover kept the scorching sun off, the wind was a force to contend with. By the end of my hike the gusts were whipping up dust devils everywhere, and I was glad to be finished.
Secret Mountain and the Dry Creek Basin intrigue me every time I visit Sedona and leave me with future hiking plans in this area. There are so many canyons to be explored here.
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| Canyon view from atop Bear Mountain |
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| Like puzzle pieces.... |
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| Sweeping Long Canyon vista |
