Red Rock Secret Mountain Trek

Shuttle to the trailhead: 30-45 minutes Hiking Mileage: 8 miles plus optional day hike Elevation Gain: 1150 feet Elevation Loss: 550 feet This multi-day Sedona hiking adventure begins on a quintessential Sedona trail that provides some of the best panoramic views of the iconic Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness. After several miles of single track hiking from the trailhead, we’ll traverse a short section of a remote 4×4 road with great views of the backside of Thunder Mountain and Brins Mesa. Our route draws us to the base of Lost Wilson Mountain, behind which lies Vultee Arch and the start of Dry Creek canyon for night 1 camp. We have the option to take the 3.5 mile round trip journey to see Vultee Arch before heading towards camp. Our camp is nestled in a quiet canyon surrounded by Arizona Cypress Trees and towering rock pinnacles. Our first day ends with good food, restful evening, and the anticipation of things to come as we drift into a much-deserved sleep.

Hiking Mileage: 6 miles Elevation Gain: 825 feet Elevation Loss: 600 feet On Day 2, we’ll enjoy a relaxing morning and big breakfast, before breaking camp and hiking up a serene and lush canyon bottom with a wonderful high desert creekbed that sometimes is flowing from the northern runoff. This section can be relatively rugged with logs, rocky trails, and seasonal creek crossings. At the head of the valley we reach a new trail and enjoy amazing views in every direction as we descend into Secret Canyon, the longest and least explored drainage of this vast area. We soon find ourselves hiking in the welcome shade of tall Ponderosa pine trees. After another two or so miles we’ll pitch our tents in this remote canyon. There lies the opportunity to explore, without our packs, further into Secret Canyon if we want and enjoy another delicious dinner before settling in for the night.

Hiking Mileage: 8.5 miles Elevation Loss: 620 feet Shuttle to Sedona: 30-45 minutes On our final day we follow beautiful Secret Canyon out of the wilderness. The sheltered trail where we spent the evening before opens up and beautiful red rock buttes and spires greet us as we start to see more and more of Sedona town in the distance. We’ll pass by the east face of Maroon Mountain and eventually return to our starting point. A short drive takes us back to Sedona to your individual accommodations and the conclusion of our amazing 3 day, backcountry adventure! Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes.