West Fork and Oak Creek

The West Fork trail is one of the most popular in Sedona and it is a trail you will want to visit early in the day, especially during the height of tourist season. If you want the trail all to yourself (or nearly so),  you will not want to wait until the late morning/early afternoon crowd is out and about. If you do arrive later, be prepared to sit in your car and wait to be let into the lot as other cars leave.

The trail is listed as 'moderate' in terms of difficulty but, with very few exceptions, it is a pretty easy hike. You will cross Oak Creek numerous times, so the stone hopping process may be the most difficult for those whose balance is not so great. But, other than that, the hike is pleasant, serene and fairly easy for those of all hiking abilities. 

You will hike in shaded areas along the creek under the watchful eyes of the red rock spires and Navajo Tapestry! You'll pass the remnants of the old Mayhew Lodge (where Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart and others came to get away from the bright lights of Hollywood). 

Take a brief respite near Oak Creek and enjoy the sounds of the flowing water and feel the breeze on your face!

Wander alongside the creek and under the canopy of the red rock and study the beauty markings and patterns.

Beautiful flowers line the paths. 

Look closely and you'll see a heron sitting on the rocks in the middle of the dry creek bed.

The hike in is 3 miles, if you choose to go all the way, and it is definitely a favorite of locals and tourists alike!  

Bring plenty of water, wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes, bring your camera and a light jacket (even in the warmer weather) or dress in layers during the winter months. 

West Fork is a treat for everyone!

Walnut Canyon

OK, OK, so it isn't technically in Sedona but it is nearly within earshot!  This is a hike we haven't done for 25  years so we decided to head on over to Walnut Canyon and do it again.

The Visitor Center provides some preliminary information and a video to get you oriented. Then you start your descent into the canyon to view the cliff dwellings. Island Trail is not for those with bad knees or a bad lower back. There are a lot of stairs leading down and, of course, you have to get back out again, so beware!

If you have someone in your party who can't make the trip down, you can use the Rim Trail which is suitable for those in wheelchairs and those with strollers.

Walnut Canyon was inhabited from about 600 to 1400 A.D. and this thriving community used this sparse land to grow food and raise families. These cliff dwellings were home to hundreds of people.

The day was beautiful but windy and the local spring blooms were beautiful. The dwellings are still miraculously intact although looting in the 1800s and the early 1900s took its toll. During that time, some walls were knocked down and many artifacts were taken from this site. Its designation as a National Monument now protects it for generations to come. 

If you close your eyes and sit quietly, you can imagine the echoes of families and children calling across the canyon!

The dwellings on the opposite side of the canyon are not accessible but when one considers the placement of these dwellings and the challenge of getting up to the rim for farming and other activities, it is truly a testament to the will and determination of the people to think that they carried on everyday life here for so long. 

If you want to visit Walnut Canyon, plan on spending 3-4 hours at the site so you have plenty of time to see the Visitor Center and to take the trek down and up the canyon. It is well worth the time. Bring plenty of water, good hiking shoes, a hat and some sunscreen. 

Twin Pillars/Turkey Creek - Village of Oak Creek

We decided to hike on Thanksgiving Day. While we did not follow the Twin Pillars or Turkey Creek Trails exactly, we did cross over and use parts of each trail.

We climbed toward the saddle of one of the red rock formations and crossed over onto the other side to circle the formation and head back in the general direction of Verde Valley School Road. 

There are lots of dry washes and slides in the area and some beautiful views of Cathedral Rock and other surrounding formations. 

These trails are right off Verde Valley School Road. Depending on the route you take and which direction you take, you can enjoy a 1-2 mile hike and be back to the parking lot in time for lunch. 

For the most part, these trails are easy, with some moderately difficult sections along the way. The trails are not among the busiest or most popular in Sedona so if you like to have some peace and quiet, these trails will suit you just fine!

West Clear Creek

The West Clear Creek hike is not the most popular hike in Sedona, nor is it the most breathtaking. But, for those who want an easy hike without climbing, this is a good choice. 

The West Clear Creek trail rambles along the creek and through meadows, revealing some beautiful tall mountains and a wall of red rock. 

A peek at some red rocks

The remains of an old field stone house stand in a meadow, surrounded by scrub and some small trees. 

If the creek is not running high, you can cross it at the end of the trail and follow along the creek for another mile or so. 

Eventually, you will reach a point where the land on this side of the creek rises and, if you choose to continue the hike beyond this point, beware! 

This is not an established trail and it will take you up another 2000 feet, so it is not for the feint of heart. 



If you stick to the established trail, the West Clear Creek hike will take you about an hour.





If you get a late start, you will need a jacket on the way back. Once the sun dips behind the high mountains on the opposite side of the creek, you will be cold!

Beautiful old Cottonwood tree

The nicest surprise we had on this hike was something we saw shortly after we left the parking lot at the trail head. There is one gigantic Cottonwood tree standing guard over the path. There are also some very large, old Sycamore trees gracing the path.

A view of the creek

If you are in the mood for a serene hike and you don't have all day to complete the journey, you'll like West Clear Creek a lot. 



The established trail is a little over a mile long and it makes for an easy and enjoyable day. 





There aren't a lot of tour planes or helicopters overhead, so you can enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. 

Oh! One more thing. We finished our hike and drove out of the parking area, and up the winding road. On our way out, we were lucky enough to see two magnificent eagles circling overhead. 

They landed on the top of the hill above us and we thought they were probably going back to their aerie. 

A little cave along the creek

A nice surprise at the end of a peaceful New Year's Day hike!