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Some of the most panoramic views in the Oak Creek Canyon/Sedona area.


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Map Key

5.5

Miles

8.8

KM

80%

Runnable

6,988' 2,130 m

High

4,566' 1,392 m

Low

2,460' 750 m

Up

125' 38 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

30%

Max Grade (17°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Wildlife

Runner Notes

Due to its semi-exposed and generally low-grade nature, this is a great trail run. Plan for a long journey and bring a lot of water.

Description

This run heads straight for some of the most panoramic views in the Oak Creek Canyon/Sedona area. Plan a full day for it and start early - the climb up Wilson Mountain is a strenuous one.

The majority of the 2,300-foot climb is packed into the first mile or so of the route. You'll have more reasons than just exertion to stop and take a breather along this route, however. The views start as soon as you leave the car and they just keep getting better.

There is shade along parts of this trail, but enough of it is out in the open to make it hot work under a summer sun. An alternate, cooler route is provided by North Wilson Trail which starts just north of Encinoso Picnic Area, 3 miles up the canyon from Midgley Bridge. The two trails join at a point midway up the mountain.

At the top you'll be rewarded with views that stretch over hundreds of square miles of scenic canyon country and include Oak Creek Canyon, Sedona, Coffee Pot Rock, Capitol Butte, Sterling Canyon and the Verde Valley.

The trailhead is just north of Midgley Bridge where you'll find a small parking lot and a monument to Richard Wilson who was killed by a grizzly in this area in 1885.

Flora & Fauna

Cacti, lizards, and buzzards...! Oh, snakes, too.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tom Robson

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 11 votes

#9

in Sedona

#7494

Overall
  4.3 from 11 votes
5 Star
36%
4 Star
55%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#9

in Sedona

#200

in Arizona

#7,494

Overall
29 Views Last Month
3,887 Since Apr 30, 2015
Difficult Difficult

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Photos

Wonderful red rock scenery on the Wilson Mountain Trail.
Dec 25, 2015 near Sedona, AZ
Wilson Mountain Trail after a December snowfall
Dec 25, 2015 near Sedona, AZ
Great scenery along the Wilson Mountain Trail
Dec 25, 2015 near Sedona, AZ
A rare wooded section lower down on the Wilson Mountain Trail
Dec 25, 2015 near Sedona, AZ
Snowier up high in Wilson Mountain.
Dec 25, 2015 near Sedona, AZ
Wilson in the background.
Dec 25, 2015 near Sedona, AZ

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