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Little Round Mountain

View into Secret Canyon from Little Round Mountain. We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike

Fog Quickly Rises up Through the Forest of the Mogollon Rim.

Fog Quickly Rises up Through the Forest of the Mogollon Rim.

Fall colors in a canyon on the Mogollon Rim, Arizona.

Fall colors in a canyon on the Mogollon Rim, Arizona.

The Mogollon Rim is a rugged escarpment that forms the southern limit of the Colorado Plateau. It extends across the entire forest and provides excellent views within Plateau Country and Desert Canyon Country as well. Dropping as much as 2,000 feet in some areas, the Rim provides some of the most far-reaching scenery in Arizona. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, October 2003. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest. Learn more about the Mogollon Rim Ranger District on the Coconino National Forest website.

At the Rim above Bear Sign Canyon. At the Rim above Bear Sign Canyon

West Fork of Oak Creek

West Fork of Oak Creek On the third day of our camping trip on the Mogollon Rim above Sedona, we headed to the western end of West Fork. The canyon starts on the Rim, intersecting Woody Mountain Road, and cuts east, where it joins Oak Creek Canyon, a total distance of seven or eight miles. At the Oak Creek end, there’s an official trailhead (West Fork #108) at Call o’ the Canyon, which runs about three miles up the canyon. We decided to try hiking the canyon from the western end, where there’s no official trail… as a matter of fact, there’s a lovely Forest Service sign explaining that there’s no official trail there, you’re pretty much on your own, watch out for flash floods, and please don’t die. From the bridge, there’s a well worn path that runs for perhaps 0.5 to 0.75 mile along the banks of the creek. Eventually, the canyon becomes too narrow, and walking on the banks is not possible, and it becomes a boulder hop down the creek bed. Fallen trees and very large boulders make the route a bit challenging. At this point, while the canyon is very pretty, it’s not family friendly or very dog friendly (we had to give ours quite a bit of assistance). Given the amount of scrambling, I don’t think this would be a very fun backpacking trail, but with an early start, I believe this could be easily done as a shuttle hike. Trip report All photos from this hike 5-frame HDR shot with a Pentax K20D. HDR generated and tone mapped in Photomatix. Metadata refined in MS Pro Photo Tools and Adobe Lightroom.

Mogollon Rim Bush Fire in Arizona

Mogollon Rim Bush Fire in Arizona

Wildflower. We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike 5-frame HDR shot with a Pentax K20D. HDR generated and tone mapped in Photomatix. Metadata refined in MS Pro Photo Tools and Adobe Lightroom.

Jacks Canyon Trail No. 55

Jacks Canyon Trail leads up the bottom of a rocky desert gorge where the vegetation is mostly high chaparral. The trail starts by skirting the boundary of an outlying subdivision, and passes through the effects of the 800 acre La Barranca Fire. It then follows an old jeep trail to Jacks Canyon Tank where it drops into the drainage bottom and proceeds along its moderate climb by crisscrossing the dry streambed. At the upper end of the canyon, the trail leaves the streambed to switchback to a high saddle connecting the Mogollon Rim and Munds Mountain. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, March 14, 2012. Credit: USFS Coconino National Forest. Learn more about hiking Jacks Canyon Trail in the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest website. Jacks Canyon Trail leads up the bottom of a rocky desert gorge where the vegetation is mostly high chaparral. The trail starts by skirting the boundary of an outlying subdivision, and passes through the effects of the 800 acre La Barranca Fire. It then follows an old jeep trail to Jacks Canyon Tank where it drops into the drainage bottom and proceeds along its moderate climb by crisscrossing the dry streambed. At the upper end of the canyon, the trail leaves the streambed to switchback to a high saddle connecting the Mogollon Rim and Munds Mountain. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, March 14, 2012. Credit: USFS Coconino National Forest. Learn more about hiking Jacks Canyon Trail in the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest website.

Aerial, drone panorama of the Mogollon Rim with the Houston Mesa

Aerial, drone panorama of the Mogollon Rim with the Houston Mesa

Little Round Mountain

View into Secret Canyon from Little Round Mountain. We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike

At the Rim above Bear Sign Canyon. At the Rim above Bear Sign Canyon

At the Rim above Bear Sign Canyon. At the Rim above Bear Sign Canyon

Ancient circle petroglyph

A circular petroglyph at Three Rivers Petroglyphs, NM. A circular petroglyph at Three Rivers Petroglyphs, NM.

Ancient circular petroglyph

A circular petroglyph at Three Rivers Petroglyphs, NM. A circular petroglyph at Three Rivers Petroglyphs, NM.

Tree on canyon rim near Little Round Mountain. We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike 5-frame HDR shot with a Pentax K20D. HDR generated and tone mapped in Photomatix. Metadata refined in MS Pro Photo Tools and Adobe Lightroom.

Fossil Creek 2006

View of the canyon above Fossil Creek from Fossil Creek Road (FR 708) in 2006. The flume (now removed) that once fed water from the diversion dam at the springs to the Irving power plant is visible running along the length of the canyon. This section of road is currently (2016) closed due to safety issues caused by rock falls along the cliff above the road. Fossil Creek is one of only two National Wild & Scenic rivers in Arizona and is fed by springs coming from the cliffs of the Mogollon Rim. Over 30 million gallons of water are discharged each day at a constant 70°F. The high mineral content leaves travertine dams and deposits, giving rise to fossil-like features. In 2005, Arizona Public Service (APS) decommissioned the Fossil Creek Dam and Flume, restoring full flows to Fossil Creek. The diversion dam at Fossil Springs was partially removed, allowing the creek to flow freely. The flume that once carried water to the power plant was disassembled. The Irving power plant and other buildings around the site were removed. Traces of history remain visible at the Irving site and along the Flume Trail in the form of old building foundations, rock work along the flume's maintenance road, and concrete pilings that once supported the flume. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, November 26, 2006. Credit: Coconino National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. Learn more about Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River on the Coconino National Forest. This is a stitched panorama. Some portions of the edges (mainly the sky) were edited to fill in areas that were not photographed. View of the canyon above Fossil Creek from Fossil Creek Road (FR 708) in 2006. The flume (now removed) that once fed water from the diversion dam at the springs to the Irving power plant is visible running along the length of the canyon. This section of road is currently (2016) closed due to safety issues caused by rock falls along the cliff above the road. Fossil Creek is one of only two National Wild & Scenic rivers in Arizona and is fed by springs coming from the cliffs of the Mogollon Rim. Over 30 million gallons of water are discharged each day at a constant 70°F. The high mineral content leaves travertine dams and deposits, giving rise to fossil-like features. In 2005, Arizona Public Service (APS) decommissioned the Fossil Creek Dam and Flume, restoring full flows to Fossil Creek. The diversion dam at Fossil Springs was partially removed, allowing the creek to flow freely. The flume that once carried water to the power plant was disassembled. The Irving power plant and other buildings around the site were removed. Traces of history remain visible at the Irving site and along the Flume Trail in the form of old building foundations, rock work along the flume's maintenance road, and concrete pilings that once supported the flume. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, November 26, 2006. Credit: Coconino National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. Learn more about Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River on the Coconino National Forest. This is a stitched panorama. Some portions of the edges (mainly the sky) were edited to fill in areas that were not photographed.

Cactus bloom. We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike

Outcrop of petroglyph rocks

A group of volcanic rocks with petroglyphs at Three Rivers Petroglyphs, New Mexico. A group of volcanic rocks with petroglyphs at Three Rivers Petroglyphs, New Mexico

At the Rim above Bear Sign Canyon. At the Rim above Bear Sign Canyon

Little Round Mountain

View into Secret Canyon from Little Round Mountain. We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike

Gorgeous autumn forest in Mogollon rim, Payson , Arizona

Gorgeous autumn forest in Mogollon rim, Payson , Arizona

Historic Town of Mogollon, New Mexico

Historic Town of Mogollon, New Mexico

Little Round Mountain

View into Secret Canyon from Little Round Mountain. We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike

Mogollon Rim south view

Mogollon Rim south view

Fossil Creek 2006

Fossil Creek just below the Irving power plant site, 2006. The power plant had been decommissioned and the structures were in the process of being removed before the creek was granted the "Wild and Scenic" designation in 2009. Fossil Creek is one of only two National Wild & Scenic rivers in Arizona and is fed by springs coming from the cliffs of the Mogollon Rim. Over 30 million gallons of water are discharged each day at a constant 70°F. The high mineral content leaves travertine dams and deposits, giving rise to fossil-like features. In 2005, Arizona Public Service (APS) decommissioned the Fossil Creek Dam and Flume, restoring full flows to Fossil Creek. The diversion dam at Fossil Springs was partially removed, allowing the creek to flow freely. The flume that once carried water to the power plant was disassembled. The Irving power plant and other buildings around the site were removed. Traces of history remain visible at the Irving site and along the Flume Trail in the form of old building foundations, rock work along the flume's maintenance road, and concrete pilings that once supported the flume. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, November 26, 2006. Credit: Coconino National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. Learn more about Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River on the Coconino National Forest. This is a stitched panorama. Some portions of the edges (mainly the sky) were edited to fill in areas that were not photographed. Fossil Creek just below the Irving power plant site, 2006. The power plant had been decommissioned and the structures were in the process of being removed before the creek was granted the "Wild and Scenic" designation in 2009. Fossil Creek is one of only two National Wild & Scenic rivers in Arizona and is fed by springs coming from the cliffs of the Mogollon Rim. Over 30 million gallons of water are discharged each day at a constant 70°F. The high mineral content leaves travertine dams and deposits, giving rise to fossil-like features. In 2005, Arizona Public Service (APS) decommissioned the Fossil Creek Dam and Flume, restoring full flows to Fossil Creek. The diversion dam at Fossil Springs was partially removed, allowing the creek to flow freely. The flume that once carried water to the power plant was disassembled. The Irving power plant and other buildings around the site were removed. Traces of history remain visible at the Irving site and along the Flume Trail in the form of old building foundations, rock work along the flume's maintenance road, and concrete pilings that once supported the flume. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, November 26, 2006. Credit: Coconino National Forest, U.S. Forest Service. Learn more about Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River on the Coconino National Forest. This is a stitched panorama. Some portions of the edges (mainly the sky) were edited to fill in areas that were not photographed.

Walking stick. We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike

Jacks Canyon Trail No. 55

Jacks Canyon Trail leads up the bottom of a rocky desert gorge where the vegetation is mostly high chaparral. The trail starts by skirting the boundary of an outlying subdivision, and passes through the effects of the 800 acre La Barranca Fire. It then follows an old jeep trail to Jacks Canyon Tank where it drops into the drainage bottom and proceeds along its moderate climb by crisscrossing the dry streambed. At the upper end of the canyon, the trail leaves the streambed to switchback to a high saddle connecting the Mogollon Rim and Munds Mountain. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, March 14, 2012. Credit: USFS Coconino National Forest. Learn more about hiking Jacks Canyon Trail in the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest website. Jacks Canyon Trail leads up the bottom of a rocky desert gorge where the vegetation is mostly high chaparral. The trail starts by skirting the boundary of an outlying subdivision, and passes through the effects of the 800 acre La Barranca Fire. It then follows an old jeep trail to Jacks Canyon Tank where it drops into the drainage bottom and proceeds along its moderate climb by crisscrossing the dry streambed. At the upper end of the canyon, the trail leaves the streambed to switchback to a high saddle connecting the Mogollon Rim and Munds Mountain. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, March 14, 2012. Credit: USFS Coconino National Forest. Learn more about hiking Jacks Canyon Trail in the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest website.

Little Round Mountain

View into Secret Canyon from Little Round Mountain. We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike

Road Leading Into Mogollon Rim

Road Leading Into Mogollon Rim

View from the edge of the Mogollon Rim along the Rim Road (FR 300). The Mogollon Rim is one of the most striking geologic features in Arizona. This steep escarpment, measured in thousands of feet and hundreds of miles, begins just across the border in New Mexico and stretches diagonally two thirds of the way across Arizona. It forms the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau, and is one of the most impressive overlooks in the Grand Canyon State. The General Crook Trail/Rim Road Scenic Loop drive is an easy way for the entire family to experience the dramatic scenery of the Mogollon Rim. Photo taken July 20, 2017 by Deborah Lee Soltesz. Source: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest. Visit Mogollon Rim Ranger District and the Coconino National Forest for more information.

Masonry Tank. 2009-05-06: On the fourth day of our camping trip on the Mogollon Rim above Sedona, we headed to Secret Mountain Trail #109. The Mangums (authors of Flagstaff Hikes) list this as one of their favorite trails, mentioning they usually stop just past Secret Cabin on the edge of the mountain where there’s a nice view. The weather was unseasonably hot, and we chose this trail not only because it’s interesting, but because it stays at fairly high elevation (instead of diving down into a canyon like so many of the trails in this area). The trail starts off running along a bit of a ridge up to a knob where there are some fantastic views. Diving down to a narrow saddle, the trail meets the top of Loy Canyon Trail, then climbs up to a fairly flat run. Around 1.0 mile are the remains of an old dry tank and corral. It’s almost easy to miss the corral because there’s just a few posts left, as well as a rusty old dredge. Off to the left just past the corral is Johnson Tank. The tank wall reveals signs of masonry work where the dirt has eroded away. Past Johnson Tank, the trail runs above and to the left of a ravine, where two more tanks hold water. The first, Masonry Tank, is built using local stones to dam a narrow, rocky section of the creek bed. The dam creates a small, shallow pond. Below Masonry Tank is Cement Tank, created from three slabs of preformed concrete. This dam creates a rather large, long, and narrow pond which runs back almost to Masonry Tank. There is a rough footpath running from Cement Tank to above Masonry Tank, a lovely diversion from the main trail. According to the Mangums, this area of forest is virgin. Near Cement Tank, the trail descends to a bench along the creek bed where another, more complete corral and Secret Cabin are situated (1.8 miles from the trailhead). Secret Cabin is in fair shape, its walls standing but its roof has collapsed. According to the Mangums, the cabin was built as a failed homestead, and was later inhabited by a family of polygamous Latter Day Saints escaping persecution, then horse thieves who’d bring stolen horses up Loy Canyon from Sedona en route to Flagstaff and northern destinations. Heading uphill past the cabin, the trail leads up to a ridge with a nice view and more corrals. The main trail leads off to the left for another 2.8 miles. Since it was pretty hot weather, we decided to follow the Mangums' recommendation: we had lunch in the shade of a tree, then turned around and headed back to the trailhead, diverting down into the ravine to explore the tanks on the way back. Trip report and full gallery

Mogollon Rim, Arizona

Mogollon Rim, Arizona

This secluded forest lake is surrounded by ponderosa pines, with a picturesque island in the center. Knoll Lake provides a scenic setting for picnicking, fishing, canoeing, and other activities. The nearby campground, trails, and Mogollon Rim make Knoll Lake a peaceful getaway with plenty to see and do. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, August 2010. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest. For more information, visit Knoll Lake on the Coconino National Forest website.

Blue ridge resevoir

Wind and drizzle on blue ridge reservoir, northern arizona. Wind and drizzle on blue ridge reservoir, northern arizona

Secret Cabin. 2009-05-06: On the fourth day of our camping trip on the Mogollon Rim above Sedona, we headed to Secret Mountain Trail #109. The Mangums (authors of Flagstaff Hikes) list this as one of their favorite trails, mentioning they usually stop just past Secret Cabin on the edge of the mountain where there’s a nice view. The weather was unseasonably hot, and we chose this trail not only because it’s interesting, but because it stays at fairly high elevation (instead of diving down into a canyon like so many of the trails in this area). The trail starts off running along a bit of a ridge up to a knob where there are some fantastic views. Diving down to a narrow saddle, the trail meets the top of Loy Canyon Trail, then climbs up to a fairly flat run. Around 1.0 mile are the remains of an old dry tank and corral. It’s almost easy to miss the corral because there’s just a few posts left, as well as a rusty old dredge. Off to the left just past the corral is Johnson Tank. The tank wall reveals signs of masonry work where the dirt has eroded away. Past Johnson Tank, the trail runs above and to the left of a ravine, where two more tanks hold water. The first, Masonry Tank, is built using local stones to dam a narrow, rocky section of the creek bed. The dam creates a small, shallow pond. Below Masonry Tank is Cement Tank, created from three slabs of preformed concrete. This dam creates a rather large, long, and narrow pond which runs back almost to Masonry Tank. There is a rough footpath running from Cement Tank to above Masonry Tank, a lovely diversion from the main trail. According to the Mangums, this area of forest is virgin. Near Cement Tank, the trail descends to a bench along the creek bed where another, more complete corral and Secret Cabin are situated (1.8 miles from the trailhead). Secret Cabin is in fair shape, its walls standing but its roof has collapsed. According to the Mangums, the cabin was built as a failed homestead, and was later inhabited by a family of polygamous Latter Day Saints escaping persecution, then horse thieves who’d bring stolen horses up Loy Canyon from Sedona en route to Flagstaff and northern destinations. Heading uphill past the cabin, the trail leads up to a ridge with a nice view and more corrals. The main trail leads off to the left for another 2.8 miles. Since it was pretty hot weather, we decided to follow the Mangums' recommendation: we had lunch in the shade of a tree, then turned around and headed back to the trailhead, diverting down into the ravine to explore the tanks on the way back. Trip report and full gallery

Little Round Mountain (panorama&#x29

Little Round Mountain (panorama). We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike

Mogollon Rim, Highway 260, Yavapai County, State of Arizona, United States

Mogollon Rim, Highway 260, Yavapai County, State of Arizona, United States

Mogollon rim

Knoll Lake Boat Ramp

This secluded forest lake is surrounded by ponderosa pines, with a picturesque island in the center. Knoll Lake provides a scenic setting for picnicking, fishing, canoeing, and other activities. The nearby campground, trails, and Mogollon Rim make Knoll Lake a peaceful getaway with plenty to see and do. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, August 2010. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest. For more information, visit Knoll Lake on the Coconino National Forest website. This secluded forest lake is surrounded by ponderosa pines, with a picturesque island in the center. Knoll Lake provides a scenic setting for picnicking, fishing, canoeing, and other activities. The nearby campground, trails, and Mogollon Rim make Knoll Lake a peaceful getaway with plenty to see and do. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, August 2010. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest. For more information, visit Knoll Lake on the Coconino National Forest website.

Blue ridge resevoir

Wind and drizzle on blue ridge reservoir, northern arizona. Wind and drizzle on blue ridge reservoir, northern arizona

West Fork of Oak Creek

West Fork of Oak Creek On the third day of our camping trip on the Mogollon Rim above Sedona, we headed to the western end of West Fork. The canyon starts on the Rim, intersecting Woody Mountain Road, and cuts east, where it joins Oak Creek Canyon, a total distance of seven or eight miles. At the Oak Creek end, there’s an official trailhead (West Fork #108) at Call o’ the Canyon, which runs about three miles up the canyon. We decided to try hiking the canyon from the western end, where there’s no official trail… as a matter of fact, there’s a lovely Forest Service sign explaining that there’s no official trail there, you’re pretty much on your own, watch out for flash floods, and please don’t die. From the bridge, there’s a well worn path that runs for perhaps 0.5 to 0.75 mile along the banks of the creek. Eventually, the canyon becomes too narrow, and walking on the banks is not possible, and it becomes a boulder hop down the creek bed. Fallen trees and very large boulders make the route a bit challenging. At this point, while the canyon is very pretty, it’s not family friendly or very dog friendly (we had to give ours quite a bit of assistance). Given the amount of scrambling, I don’t think this would be a very fun backpacking trail, but with an early start, I believe this could be easily done as a shuttle hike. Trip report All photos from this hike

At the Rim above Bear Sign Canyon. At the Rim above Bear Sign Canyon

At the Rim above Bear Sign Canyon. At the Rim above Bear Sign Canyon

Secret Mountain Trail

Secret Mountain Trail. 2009-05-06: On the fourth day of our camping trip on the Mogollon Rim above Sedona, we headed to Secret Mountain Trail #109. The Mangums (authors of Flagstaff Hikes) list this as one of their favorite trails, mentioning they usually stop just past Secret Cabin on the edge of the mountain where there’s a nice view. The weather was unseasonably hot, and we chose this trail not only because it’s interesting, but because it stays at fairly high elevation (instead of diving down into a canyon like so many of the trails in this area). The trail starts off running along a bit of a ridge up to a knob where there are some fantastic views. Diving down to a narrow saddle, the trail meets the top of Loy Canyon Trail, then climbs up to a fairly flat run. Around 1.0 mile are the remains of an old dry tank and corral. It’s almost easy to miss the corral because there’s just a few posts left, as well as a rusty old dredge. Off to the left just past the corral is Johnson Tank. The tank wall reveals signs of masonry work where the dirt has eroded away. Past Johnson Tank, the trail runs above and to the left of a ravine, where two more tanks hold water. The first, Masonry Tank, is built using local stones to dam a narrow, rocky section of the creek bed. The dam creates a small, shallow pond. Below Masonry Tank is Cement Tank, created from three slabs of preformed concrete. This dam creates a rather large, long, and narrow pond which runs back almost to Masonry Tank. There is a rough footpath running from Cement Tank to above Masonry Tank, a lovely diversion from the main trail. According to the Mangums, this area of forest is virgin. Near Cement Tank, the trail descends to a bench along the creek bed where another, more complete corral and Secret Cabin are situated (1.8 miles from the trailhead). Secret Cabin is in fair shape, its walls standing but its roof has collapsed. According to the Mangums, the cabin was built as a failed homestead, and was later inhabited by a family of polygamous Latter Day Saints escaping persecution, then horse thieves who’d bring stolen horses up Loy Canyon from Sedona en route to Flagstaff and northern destinations. Heading uphill past the cabin, the trail leads up to a ridge with a nice view and more corrals. The main trail leads off to the left for another 2.8 miles. Since it was pretty hot weather, we decided to follow the Mangums' recommendation: we had lunch in the shade of a tree, then turned around and headed back to the trailhead, diverting down into the ravine to explore the tanks on the way back. Trip report and full gallery

Little Round Mountain

View into Secret Canyon from Little Round Mountain. We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike

Ancient abstract petroglyph

Aa abstract petroglyph at Three Rivers Petroglyphs, NM. Aa abstract petroglyph at Three Rivers Petroglyphs, NM.

South Pocket Overlook (panorama&#x29

South Pocket Overlook (panorama). We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike

Jacks Canyon Trail No. 55

Jacks Canyon Trail leads up the bottom of a rocky desert gorge where the vegetation is mostly high chaparral. The trail starts by skirting the boundary of an outlying subdivision, and passes through the effects of the 800 acre La Barranca Fire. It then follows an old jeep trail to Jacks Canyon Tank where it drops into the drainage bottom and proceeds along its moderate climb by crisscrossing the dry streambed. At the upper end of the canyon, the trail leaves the streambed to switchback to a high saddle connecting the Mogollon Rim and Munds Mountain. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, March 14, 2012. Credit: USFS Coconino National Forest. Learn more about hiking Jacks Canyon Trail in the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest website. Jacks Canyon Trail leads up the bottom of a rocky desert gorge where the vegetation is mostly high chaparral. The trail starts by skirting the boundary of an outlying subdivision, and passes through the effects of the 800 acre La Barranca Fire. It then follows an old jeep trail to Jacks Canyon Tank where it drops into the drainage bottom and proceeds along its moderate climb by crisscrossing the dry streambed. At the upper end of the canyon, the trail leaves the streambed to switchback to a high saddle connecting the Mogollon Rim and Munds Mountain. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, March 14, 2012. Credit: USFS Coconino National Forest. Learn more about hiking Jacks Canyon Trail in the Red Rock Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest website.

Oak Creek Canyon II

Looking into Arizona's Oak Creek Canyon from the Mogollon Rim. Looking into Arizona's Oak Creek Canyon from the Mogollon Rim

Secret Mountain Trail

Secret Mountain Trail. 2009-05-06: On the fourth day of our camping trip on the Mogollon Rim above Sedona, we headed to Secret Mountain Trail #109. The Mangums (authors of Flagstaff Hikes) list this as one of their favorite trails, mentioning they usually stop just past Secret Cabin on the edge of the mountain where there’s a nice view. The weather was unseasonably hot, and we chose this trail not only because it’s interesting, but because it stays at fairly high elevation (instead of diving down into a canyon like so many of the trails in this area). The trail starts off running along a bit of a ridge up to a knob where there are some fantastic views. Diving down to a narrow saddle, the trail meets the top of Loy Canyon Trail, then climbs up to a fairly flat run. Around 1.0 mile are the remains of an old dry tank and corral. It’s almost easy to miss the corral because there’s just a few posts left, as well as a rusty old dredge. Off to the left just past the corral is Johnson Tank. The tank wall reveals signs of masonry work where the dirt has eroded away. Past Johnson Tank, the trail runs above and to the left of a ravine, where two more tanks hold water. The first, Masonry Tank, is built using local stones to dam a narrow, rocky section of the creek bed. The dam creates a small, shallow pond. Below Masonry Tank is Cement Tank, created from three slabs of preformed concrete. This dam creates a rather large, long, and narrow pond which runs back almost to Masonry Tank. There is a rough footpath running from Cement Tank to above Masonry Tank, a lovely diversion from the main trail. According to the Mangums, this area of forest is virgin. Near Cement Tank, the trail descends to a bench along the creek bed where another, more complete corral and Secret Cabin are situated (1.8 miles from the trailhead). Secret Cabin is in fair shape, its walls standing but its roof has collapsed. According to the Mangums, the cabin was built as a failed homestead, and was later inhabited by a family of polygamous Latter Day Saints escaping persecution, then horse thieves who’d bring stolen horses up Loy Canyon from Sedona en route to Flagstaff and northern destinations. Heading uphill past the cabin, the trail leads up to a ridge with a nice view and more corrals. The main trail leads off to the left for another 2.8 miles. Since it was pretty hot weather, we decided to follow the Mangums' recommendation: we had lunch in the shade of a tree, then turned around and headed back to the trailhead, diverting down into the ravine to explore the tanks on the way back. Trip report and full gallery

Little Round Mountain (panorama&#x29

Little Round Mountain (panorama). We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike

Mogollon Rim, Highway 260, Yavapai County, State of Arizona, United States

Mogollon Rim, Highway 260, Yavapai County, State of Arizona, United States

Sunset at camp On the third day of our camping trip on the Mogollon Rim above Sedona, we headed to the western end of West Fork. The canyon starts on the Rim, intersecting Woody Mountain Road, and cuts east, where it joins Oak Creek Canyon, a total distance of seven or eight miles. At the Oak Creek end, there’s an official trailhead (West Fork #108) at Call o’ the Canyon, which runs about three miles up the canyon. We decided to try hiking the canyon from the western end, where there’s no official trail… as a matter of fact, there’s a lovely Forest Service sign explaining that there’s no official trail there, you’re pretty much on your own, watch out for flash floods, and please don’t die. From the bridge, there’s a well worn path that runs for perhaps 0.5 to 0.75 mile along the banks of the creek. Eventually, the canyon becomes too narrow, and walking on the banks is not possible, and it becomes a boulder hop down the creek bed. Fallen trees and very large boulders make the route a bit challenging. At this point, while the canyon is very pretty, it’s not family friendly or very dog friendly (we had to give ours quite a bit of assistance). Given the amount of scrambling, I don’t think this would be a very fun backpacking trail, but with an early start, I believe this could be easily done as a shuttle hike. Trip report All photos from this hike

West Fork of Oak Creek

West Fork of Oak Creek On the third day of our camping trip on the Mogollon Rim above Sedona, we headed to the western end of West Fork. The canyon starts on the Rim, intersecting Woody Mountain Road, and cuts east, where it joins Oak Creek Canyon, a total distance of seven or eight miles. At the Oak Creek end, there’s an official trailhead (West Fork #108) at Call o’ the Canyon, which runs about three miles up the canyon. We decided to try hiking the canyon from the western end, where there’s no official trail… as a matter of fact, there’s a lovely Forest Service sign explaining that there’s no official trail there, you’re pretty much on your own, watch out for flash floods, and please don’t die. From the bridge, there’s a well worn path that runs for perhaps 0.5 to 0.75 mile along the banks of the creek. Eventually, the canyon becomes too narrow, and walking on the banks is not possible, and it becomes a boulder hop down the creek bed. Fallen trees and very large boulders make the route a bit challenging. At this point, while the canyon is very pretty, it’s not family friendly or very dog friendly (we had to give ours quite a bit of assistance). Given the amount of scrambling, I don’t think this would be a very fun backpacking trail, but with an early start, I believe this could be easily done as a shuttle hike. Trip report All photos from this hike

Historic Town of Mogollon, New Mexico

Historic Town of Mogollon, New Mexico

Sunset along the Mogollon Rim in Arizona

Sunset along the Mogollon Rim in Arizona

West Fork of Oak Creek

West Fork of Oak Creek On the third day of our camping trip on the Mogollon Rim above Sedona, we headed to the western end of West Fork. The canyon starts on the Rim, intersecting Woody Mountain Road, and cuts east, where it joins Oak Creek Canyon, a total distance of seven or eight miles. At the Oak Creek end, there’s an official trailhead (West Fork #108) at Call o’ the Canyon, which runs about three miles up the canyon. We decided to try hiking the canyon from the western end, where there’s no official trail… as a matter of fact, there’s a lovely Forest Service sign explaining that there’s no official trail there, you’re pretty much on your own, watch out for flash floods, and please don’t die. From the bridge, there’s a well worn path that runs for perhaps 0.5 to 0.75 mile along the banks of the creek. Eventually, the canyon becomes too narrow, and walking on the banks is not possible, and it becomes a boulder hop down the creek bed. Fallen trees and very large boulders make the route a bit challenging. At this point, while the canyon is very pretty, it’s not family friendly or very dog friendly (we had to give ours quite a bit of assistance). Given the amount of scrambling, I don’t think this would be a very fun backpacking trail, but with an early start, I believe this could be easily done as a shuttle hike. Trip report All photos from this hike

Blue ridge resevoir

Wind and drizzle on blue ridge reservoir, northern arizona. Wind and drizzle on blue ridge reservoir, northern arizona

Silver Studded Blue Butterfly

Silver studded blue butterfly (Plebeius argus). 2009-05-07: On the fifth day of our camping trip on the Mogollon Rim we were still looking to beat the heat by staying above the rim. I’d noticed a route marked as a trail on my GPS (the base map on my Garmin Oregon 400T) leading to a spot marked Lost Lake. We headed for trail, turning off of the main road onto a jeep track. The route quickly got rocky, and we assumed it was petering out, so we parked and started hiking. Within a couple hundred feet, the route turned back into a smooth, dirt, two-track road… basically, quite driveable. We hiked it anyway. There was a tree blocking the road about halfway to Lost Lake, but aside from that the route is a well maintained route, with a couple side-roads heading off of it. The road gently ascends to the top of a hill, where Lost Lake is actually a pair of tanks. The upper tank is quite large, and both had water in them. There were a few wildflowers, and butterflies and western tanagers were flitting about. It’s a very pretty area, and quite likely an excellent place for bird watching. Lost Lake is definitely worth a visit, whether hiking or driving. The tanks are surrounded by forest, and we took advantage of the shade to have lunch, enjoy the beautiful day, and catch a quick nap. Hiking report View all photos from this hike

This secluded forest lake is surrounded by ponderosa pines, with a picturesque island in the center. Knoll Lake provides a scenic setting for picnicking, fishing, canoeing, and other activities. The nearby campground, trails, and Mogollon Rim make Knoll Lake a peaceful getaway with plenty to see and do. Photo by Deborah Lee Soltesz, August 2010. Credit: U.S. Forest Service, Coconino National Forest. For more information, visit Knoll Lake on the Coconino National Forest website.

Mogollon Rim Vista View

Mogollon Rim Vista View

Little Round Mountain

View into Secret Canyon from Little Round Mountain. We headed out of Flagstaff down Woody Mountain Road for a week of camping and day hiking around the Rattlesnake Mesa area. The area is north of Sedona's Secret Canyon, on top of the Mogollon Rim. There are several trails, mostly unmaintained, heading along or off the edge of the Rim. For the first day's hike, we headed for FS Trail #9, which heads across Little Round Mountain and along the Rim around South Pocket... Read the blog entry for this hike

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