Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Bell Trail Exploratory Day Hike
| when? |
Trip Report :
October 29, 2011
|
| |
Trip Report :
May 5, 2007
|
| where? |
Sedona east of Sedona I-17 exit |
| the hike |
Join us for an exploratory hike in search of a bit of fall color!!
The Bell Trail is located in the Wet Beaver Wilderness area about 15 miles
from downtown Sedona, just off the I-17 Freeway. This hike is very popular
in the summer due to the swimming holes and fishing spots, but it is also
a nice fall hike. Mother Nature is in charge of how much fall color we might
see, if any, but in any event, species documented along the trail include
Fremont Cottonwood, Arizona Sycamore, Velvet Ash, Canyon Grape, and Willows.
For the most part, the trail follows a route along a bench well above Wet
Beaver Creek. A number of side trails, however, lead down to the waterside.
The trail was built by a cattle rancher named Earl Bell in 1932, as a means
for taking his cattle to the top of the Mogollon Rim in the spring.
We will hike the first 3.5 miles of the trail to Bell Crossing, where the
trail crosses the creek, and then we will return the way we came.
The water may be a bit chilly by then, but you are welcome to dip your
toes in (or more, depending on the weather and your chill tolerance!).
|
| distance |
7 miles round trip |
| time |
4-5 hours |
| EC |
+-500' elevation change |
| elevations |
3820' (Trailhead) to 4320' (Bell Crossing) |
| on trail |
100% — Bell Trail #13 |
| rating |
"C"
Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| dogs? |
no |
| cost |
When car-pooling, pay your share the cost of gas. The
club also allows voluntary contributions of $1/member or $3/non-member. |
| weather |
Sedona |
| meet |
7:00 AM in the
Fry’s parking lot on the SW corner of I-17 & Bell Road.
Park behind Denny’s, near the entrance to the Deer Valley Park & Ride.
|
| drive |
On I-17, continue north to the Highway 179 turnoff to Sedona.
Turn right (east) onto Forest Road 618 (Beaver Creek Road) and follow the
signs to FR 618A on the left side of the road (about 2.2 miles).
Turn onto FR 618A and drive for a quarter-mile to the Bell Trail parking area.
FR 618 and FR 618A are both passable for passenger cars, unless there has been
a lot of recent rainfall. There are restrooms at the trailhead.
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