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A steep climb up to the First Bench on Wilson Mountain that stays cooler in the shadows.


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Map Key

2.1

Miles

3.4

KM

67%

Runnable

6,302' 1,921 m

High

4,760' 1,451 m

Low

1,542' 470 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

14%

Avg Grade (8°)

52%

Max Grade (28°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views · Wildlife

Red Rock Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required to park at the trailhead.

Description

From the Encinoso Picnic Area Trailhead, run North out of the parking lot and start heading uphill as the trail starts turning to the south. The trail is well-maintained and makes its way up towards the sandstone cliffs of Oak Creek among scrub oak.

As you near the cliff, the trail will bend back to the north as you climb sharply up the craggy slope. Lots of impressive rock work has been done here to stabilize the trail. When you top-out after the steepest section you are rewarded with a sweeping view from the First Bench. Columnar basalt cliffs across the way and small glimpses of what you'll see if you continue to the top.

At the junction with the Wilson Mountain Trail #10 you can either turn around, or take on one more steep section (passing a fire crew cache box) to the top of the flat-topped peak and gain some of the most spectacular views of Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon.

Contacts

Shared By:

JC Condon

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 6 votes

#8623

Overall
  4.3 from 6 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#260

in Arizona

#8,623

Overall
12 Views Last Month
1,566 Since Nov 8, 2015
Difficult

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Photos

Looking back at the imposing sandstone cliffs of Oak Creek Canyon while on the North Wilson Trail.
Nov 15, 2015 near Sedona, AZ

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Check-Ins

Jan 25, 2019
Alex Gold
Beautiful, muddy at the top 4.4mi