Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Bear Sign Canyon Day Hike
| when? |
Trip Report :
April 22, 2006
|
| where? |
Sedona Ñ Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness |
| the hike |
|
Spring colors and intricate rock formations will fascinate you on this
inspiring hike through Sedona’s Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness.
We’ll start upstream on the Dry Creek Trail, make a steep climb over
the pass into Secret Canyon on the David Miller Trail, and enjoy a pleasant
streamside walk on the Secret Canyon Trail. Cameras highly recommended.
|
|
| distance |
6 miles |
| time |
4-5 hours |
| EC |
+960'-1100' elevation change |
| elevations |
4,700' (Secret Canyon Trailhead) to 5,500' (ridge) |
| on trail |
100% — Dry Creek, Bear Sign, David Miller,
and Secret Canyon Trails |
| hike rating |
"C" [easy]
The David Miller Trail is steep near the pass. |
| dogs |
no |
| weather |
Sedona |
| cost |
$5 per vehicle for a
Red Rock Pass, plus sharing gas expenses with the driver. The club also
allows voluntary contributions of $1/member or $3/non-member |
| meet |
We will meet in the M&I Bank parking lot west of Denny’s on the SW
corner of I-17 & Bell Road at 7:00 AM, with a departure time of 7:15.
Carpooling arrangements will be made there. We should take as few vehicles as
possible because of limited parking at the trailhead and to save on the cost
of permits.
|
| drive |
On Interstate 17, continue north to the Highway 179 turnoff to Sedona. Seven
miles north on Highway 179 we will stop at the South Gateway Visitors Center
in Tequa Plaza (west side of the highway) to pick up our Red Rock Passes ($5
per vehicle). We will need these to park anywhere in the Sedona area. From the
"Y" junction of Highway 179 and 89A in the center of Sedona, drive
southwest on 89A for 3.2 miles to Dry Creek Road (MP371). Turn right onto Dry
Creek Road and proceed for another 2.0 miles to Vultee Arch Road (FR 152).
Continue northeast on FR 152 for 3.4 miles to the Secret Canyon Trailhead.
FR 152 can be pretty rough, so high-clearance vehicles are recommended.
Note: Depending on the number of vehicles and hikers in our group and the
availability of parking at the trailhead (five cars maximum), we will attempt
a car shuttle between the Secret Canyon Trailhead and the Bear Sign Trailhead,
which will shorten the hike by one mile.
110 miles from Bell Road to Vultee Arch Trailhead (220 round trip).
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