Sedona Backcountry Trail. October 14 - 19

[Dan Hegstad]

*** You must have a ticket to attend this event ***

I'm organizing a 5-day run on the SBT for mid-October.
Below is the verbiage from Ben's May trip, which is a fine template for this outing. It seems like 5 days is quite doable. Ben's group met at Black Potion Coffee, which I can only assume is a fine meeting place for several rigs. If someone has a better idea, let me know.

Meeting Location
10am at Black Potion Coffee & Crystals
841 AZ-179, Sedona, AZ 86336

GPX File: download link

Please make sure you arrive with a full tank of fuel and all of the necessities required for the duration of the trip.

Documents/Fees
We may visit some Native American heritage sites, which do have some small fees. America the Beautiful Passes work at all of these heritage sites.

Firearms
This is a family friendly event. We ask that you leave your firearm at home or keep it stowed away in your vehicle at all times. It is your responsiblity to be informed of any local regs pertaining to firearms.

Pets
Well behaved dogs are allowed.

Gear & Fuel
We'll be traveling around 275 miles. Unless you have a long range auxiliary tank, we recommend that everyone carry at least 5 gallons of extra fuel depending on your fuel tank size and range when driving off road. There's an opportunity to refuel in Kachina on day 2.

Bring appropriate hiking/outdoor gear. We'll be at elevation, so we could see some swings in the temperature. Daytime temps are likely to be 65-80F, but larger variations are possible. Be prepared for cooler night time temps, potentially down to freezing if we get some cold weather.

Medical Info / Emergency Contact
Please print a copy of pertinent medical info and emergency contact info (at least two persons) on a card/piece of paper, and have this attached to your visor.

Comms: GMRS channel 15, freq 462.550
Firewood: please bring firewood if you can!

Itinerary
Day 1 | Climb into the high country
Camp: dispersed camping near Kachina Village
Mileage: 30-40
Day 1 we'll climb up into the Sedona Highlands, taking in the incredible views along the way. This should be a relatively easy day.

• Stop and maybe climb up the Merry Go round rock (DP1)
• Schneebly Hill Overlook

Day 2 | Head to the rim/Sedona overlook
Camp: somewhere along the rim ideally, near edge of the world
Mileage: 40 mi
Day 2 we'll be hitting the rim that separates the Sedona highlands from the red rock basin below.

• Refuel for anyone without long range auxiliary tanks
• Visit Fernow Cabin (only if it's vacant)
• East Buzzard Point
• East Pocket Lookout Tower
• Visit edge of the world

Day 3 | Continue along the rim
Camp: Sycamore point vicinity
Mileage: 105 miles
Day 3 we'll continue exploring along the rim taking in the views.
--> Skip the out and back section to Bunker Hill

• Rattlesnake Mesa
• Turkey Butte Lookout
• Visit Sunflower Flat wildlife area
• Whitehorse Lake (lunch?)
• Sycamore Point
• Lake Pocket Viewpoint (if time)

Day 4 | Onto Jerome Ghost Town
Camp: Stay at one of the dispersed camping areas in the Red Rock Basin
Mileage: 80
Refuel: opportunity to refuel near Tuzigoot NM
Day 4: We'll begin our descent down into the red rock basin.

• Perkinsville Bridge
• Quick stop at Gold King Mine store (quick visit)
• Jerome ghost town (quick visit)
• Tuzigoot Ancient Pueblo (fee but America the beautiful pass works)
• Hike to Robber's Roost Hideout Cave ( < .5 mi)

Day 5 | Explore the rugged trails of Red Rock country and the Sedona Basin
Camp: Schneebly Hill or Robber's roost area. tbd
Mileage: 30-50 mile to the end of trail + additional mileage to get to camp (approx 10 to schneebly or Robber's Roost)
Day 5: Explore the rugged trails of the Sedona Basin and various heritage sites.

• Visit Honanki Heritage Site (fee but America the beautiful pass works)
• Dry Creek Vista
• Cry Creek Road (moderate trail)
• Visit Seven Sacred Pools (if we have time)
• If we wrap up early, opportunities to explore trails like Broken Arrow

Day 6 | Drive Home
Camp: n/a

 

[OTG Ben]

Hey Dan,

I copied and pasted the itinerary into your original post, but feel free to adjust as you see fit.

A couple of notes for you.

I would skip the out-and-back loop out to bunker hill. This is a moderate trail that doesn't have many views, and it has many low hanging branches and encroaching bushes. For camping out by Sycamore point, we camped here 35.03414, -112.01487, which is included within the GPX file and it should have plenty of room for up to 7-8 rigs, but the ground is rocky in many locations which could be a challenge for tent campers if you have more than a couple in your group. I would also recommend trying to stop by the old mining town of Jerome (the route goes right through it). After Sycamore Point, we had planned to take road 354 but it was closed for repairs. I'll include the bypass we took, but you may want to check with Kaibab NF (Williams ranger district) to see if they reopened road 354, as the Forest Order expired in late august. Last thing to note, when you hit outlaw trail near the end of your trip, you're in the Coconino Red Rock ranger district where camping is only allowed at designated dispersed camping areas. There are around half a dozen of these areas scattered within a few miles of the Palatki Heritage site and they are marked within the GPX file and have names like the Greasy Spoon, Cockscomb and others. Chances are you will stay at these "dispersed" sites the last two nights. Some are big dispersed areas, while I remember one was just a big gravel lot. We stayed at Greasy Spoon one night, which had nice views of the red rock cliffs in the distance.

 

[Will Simmons]

Hey Dan,

I’m Will and I am confirming my attendance for the Sedona trip. I’m from Orange County, CA and drive a ‘17 Tacoma Offroad 4x4 w/ 35” tires, sliders, RTT (no skids or metal bumpers).

This will be my first trip with OTG and I’m very much a newbie at off-roading. I’ve downloaded nav apps and Ben’s gpx file, as well as studied the route.

Looking forward to a good trip, meeting everyone, and learning the ropes!

 

[Charles]

Hi Dan, this Charles de Leon from San Diego and drive a 4Runner. Looking forward to meeting everyone and the trip. Got the gpx file downloaded. Thanks.

 

[Grizzy]

Hi Dan, I’m confirming that I’ll be there Monday the 14th at 10:00 am. Thank you for organizing this trip!

 

[Will]

Hey there Dan !!
I'll be there. Look forward to exploring the Sedona backcountry and meeting the group.
Happy Trails...

 

[OTG Ben]

If you're curious what you're getting into, watch the video route guide for the Sedona Backcountry Trail

 

[SteveL3o7]

Hello Dan;
I am very interested in this trip. However my truck is in the shop and tentative completion date is Oct 11. Sedona is 12 hours from my home is Hollister so it is doable but I will have to be tentative on this trip until the repaired truck is in my driveway!
If you fill up I understand.
I am a newcomer to OTG; Ben and a few others met me at a recent Lost Coast trip.
Thank you
Steve Loos

 

[OTG Ben]

Hey @SteveL3o7

You'll need a ticket to attend this event. You can check the events page to see if there are any left.

- Ben

 

[SteveL3o7]

Hi Ben does not look like its sold out yet. Steve

 

[OTG Ben]

Hi Ben does not look like its sold out yet. Steve

Please reserve a ticket if you would like to have a spot on the trip.

 

[J0hn]

Hi Dan and group!
I’m John from Sonoma County. I’m also very much a newbie but looking forward to meeting you all and learning more. Thanks for organizing Dan- see you all soon!

 

[Rees Fullmer]

Dan:
I thought I contacted you about canceling previously. I will not be able to attend due to a scheduling error on my part. Major apologies and I hope you all have a great trip.
Rees Fullmer

 

[SteveL3o7]

Hi Ben does not look like its sold out yet. Steve

Hi Ben; I will be unsure if I can attend until right before the trip. I don't want to reserve a ticket and block somebody else from going. Hope that makes sense. Thank you.

 

[Dan Hegstad]

Hey Dan,

I copied and pasted the itinerary into your original post, but feel free to adjust as you see fit.

A couple of notes for you.

I would skip the out-and-back loop out to bunker hill. This is a moderate trail that doesn't have many views, and it has many low hanging branches and encroaching bushes. For camping out by Sycamore point, we camped here 35.03414, -112.01487, which is included within the GPX file and it should have plenty of room for up to 7-8 rigs, but the ground is rocky in many locations which could be a challenge for tent campers if you have more than a couple in your group. I would also recommend trying to stop by the old mining town of Jerome (the route goes right through it). After Sycamore Point, we had planned to take road 354 but it was closed for repairs. I'll include the bypass we took, but you may want to check with Kaibab NF (Williams ranger district) to see if they reopened road 354, as the Forest Order expired in late august. Last thing to note, when you hit outlaw trail near the end of your trip, you're in the Coconino Red Rock ranger district where camping is only allowed at designated dispersed camping areas. There are around half a dozen of these areas scattered within a few miles of the Palatki Heritage site and they are marked within the GPX file and have names like the Greasy Spoon, Cockscomb and others. Chances are you will stay at these "dispersed" sites the last two nights. Some are big dispersed areas, while I remember one was just a big gravel lot. We stayed at Greasy Spoon one night, which had nice views of the red rock cliffs in the distance.

Ben,
I'm in Sedona and I can't find the name of the coffee shop where we are supposed to meet. If you get this message can you please let me know. I feel foolish. I thought it was in the itinerary.
The town is absolutely packed today. Sunday.

 

[OTG Ben]

@Dan Hegstad
If you search Google maps for Black Potion coffee it should come up. It’s at hwy 179 and canyon drive.

Black Potion Sedona · Sedona, Arizona

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Dan Hegstad]

Here are some photos from our adventure. The "wow" photos are by Charles.