secluded walk up a remote Sedona canyon
Sedona has recently instituted a "Red Rock Pass", which is a fancy way of saying you need to pay to play. As of April 2004, the fee is $5 per day per vehicle. There are plenty of places in and around Sedona to pay this fee and get the receipt, which you need to put on your vehicle dash to keep from being towed.
The trail is well marked throughout this hike. The first 1.25 miles is through a flat and open area until you reach the wilderness boundary. After passing into the wilderness, the trail quickly assumes a different personality, as many water loving shade trees (oak, sycamore) show up. There were many Javelina tracks, although we didn't see any. After another mile of hiking, the hot loop trail takes off to the left (ending up on top of Horse Mesa). Stay right to stay on the Woods Canyon trail. The trail stays on the left side and just above the creek. The trail holds out for the first five miles or so, then the canyon just continues in a more wild condition for another seven miles. We hiked about three miles into the canyon and found a nice place next to the water for lunch.
Water is seasonal in Dry Beaver Creek. In the spring, the snowmelt provides the highest water levels and in the summer, it reverts to a mostly dry wash.
After lunch and a break, return the way you came. Enjoy!
