NOTE: The following summary information is to help with hike selection and is not intended to be used for hiking the trail. For your safety and enjoyment, please obtain a copy of Sedona Hiking Guide which is available here.
Summary: A hard hike up to the top of the highest peak in Sedona
Challenge Level: Hard
Hiking Distance: 4.5 miles in-out to the First Bench and a view of Sedona; 7.6 miles in-out to the Sedona Overlook
Trailhead Location: Park in the Encinoso Picnic area parking lot
Description: You'll be climbing up the north face of Wilson Mountain a total of 2500 feet cumulative elevation if you go all the way to the Sedona Overlook. You'll hike through a Pondarosa Pine Forest for some of the way. The trail gets very narrow with drop offs on the way to the First Bench. Once on the First Bench for a nice view of the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff. In about 2 1/4 miles you'll intersect the Wilson Mountain South Trail and a nice view of Sedona nearby. If you continue to follow the Wilson Mountain Trail up, you'll come to a fork in the trail. Go right to the Boynton Canyon Overlook. Go left to the Sedona Overlook. The photos below are from the Sedona Overlook.
For those of you who have a GPS unit, I have GPS data available for the hike which include "tracks," the route and waypoints.
Great Sedona Hikes
Last Updated March 31, 2021
Web Page by Bill Bohan (hikebook@greatsedonahikes.com)
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