Sagebrush Trails – Page 102 – Sagebrush personal hiking blog

On the Rim

MRT 2021 Day 4, April 8, Thursday
• Start S1 mile 48.1 of 49.9
• End S2 mile 7.9
• Miles walked: 6.6 town + 1.8 + 7.9 = 16.3

Going into Sedona for supplies, I find a Basha’s grocery, and another hiker’s journal tips me off to the fact to an eating area hidden off to the side next to the deli and restrooms where a hiker can repackage food while charging at a long power strip along one wall. And yes, Dottor, I did ask a cashier for permission beforehand. The grocery has an impressive backdrop.

Back on the MRT, we head east to go around town, where there are perhaps larger sandstone formations than to the north.

Sedonaland

MRT 2021 Day 3, April 7, Wednesday
• Start S1 mile 17
• End S1 mile 48.1
• Miles walked: 31.1

Winter Cabin Trail, brushy in places, takes me up out of Sycamore Canyon, and a few forest roads lead to Secret Mountain and Loy Canyon Trail, which descends steeply at first, and then provides an easier downhill grade that seems to go on for ages.

We are in the land of red sandstone.

At section mile 29.9 Red Rock camping restrictions are in effect, and the next place to camp is at mile 48.1, and I enter the restricted zone at 1PM. It is certainly too early to stop for the day, so the plan is to hike on for a thirty miler day with a night hike the last few miles.

Sycamore Canyon

MRT 2021 Day 2, April 6, Tuesday
• Start S1A 8.5 of 13.8
• End S1 mile 17
• Miles walked: 22.3

A few miles of dirt road lead to Parsons Trailhead, and soon branches to Packard Trail. A lovely pond on Sycamore Creek provides the best water of the day. I hike up to Parsons Mesa, and go along the top for some miles.

Descending back into Sycamore Canyon Wilderness, the route stays on the west side of the canyon, with plenty of ups and down from side channels. Dirt and rock turn red, and red cliffs begin to come in creative shapes.