Huckaby Trail

HUCKABY
TRAIL

There are
three things to know before stepping out on the Huckaby Trail.

The leafy corridor of Oak Creek on Huckaby Trail

One, that
as-advertised 280 feet of elevation change? You’ll do it 4 times.  Two, there are some moderately steep sections
that hang close to precipitous drops offs. And, three, the hike is worth
sucking up one and two.  

Part of the hike parallels SR89A in Sedona

While it’s
located just inside the boundary of Coconino National Forest and within sight
of busy hotels and businesses, the classic hike southeast of uptown Sedona delivers
a satisfying outdoor experience. 

Midgely Bridge & Oak Creek seen from Huckaby

The
hike begins on the sunny rock shelves above Bear Wallow Canyon gradually
dipping downhill on a wide dirt road. At near the half-mile point, the trail
crosses the bottom of the canyon and begins its unrelenting cycle of ups-and-downs
in the drainage-riffled cliffs above Oak Creek.

A scenic overlook on Huckaby Trail

 Twisting through an airy high desert ecozone
of yucca, cacti and blooming shrubs, the narrow trail features continually
changing vistas of both wilderness peaks and the streams of traffic moving
through a bustling resort hub.  

Midgely Bridge towers over Huckaby Trail

Huckaby Trail crosses Bear Wallow Canyon

Midway
through the hike, the route traverses a high ledge above the creek. First
glimpses of the waterway glint 200 feet below before the trail makes a hard
eastward bend and several more swings around crumbling red rock escarpments to
land on a scenic edge with views of Midgley Bridge and the iconic Steamboat
Rock and Mitten Ridge formations.

Pinon pines shade parts of the trail

 

The trails crosses Oak Creek below the bridge

From
this point, the path spirals downhill along edgy clefts, entering a forest of
Arizona cypress and oak trees.  At the 2-mile
point, the route meets the floodplain of Oak Creek, but the climbing is not yet
over. 

Trail traces cliffs above southeast Sedona

There’s another half mile of trail
that hangs on uneven rock shelves that parallel the creek. Here, water-loving
sycamores and cottonwoods enter the botanical mix shading an under story of
tangled brambles and vines. 

Manzanita is a common shrub on the trail

View of Wilson Mountain from Huckaby Trail

The damp,
earthy atmosphere is magical year-round--icy grey in winter, green and vibrant
in spring and a canopy of golden foliage in autumn.

View of Mitten Ridge from Huckaby Trail

The cliff hike dissolves into
a sandy walk through a small meadow that leads to the banks of the creek
beneath Midgley Bridge. 

Oak & sycamore trees line Oak Creek

Steamboat Rock & Wilson Mountain on horizon

For those
inclined to rock hop over the water, the trail picks up on the other side and heads
uphill again where it ends at the Wilson Mountain trailhead along State Route
89A.

The distinctive seeds of Arizona cypress trees

A winter scene along Oak Creek

LENGTH:  5.6 miles roundtrip

RATING:  moderate

ELEVATION:  4,211 – 4,492 feet (1,157 feet of accumulated
elevation change)

GETTING
THERE:

From traffic
circle located at the Oak Creek bridge on State Route 179 in Sedona, turn right
onto Schnebly Hill Road and go one mile to the trailhead on the left.

Roads are
suitable for all vehicles. There is a restroom at the trailhead.

FEE: A Red
Rock Pass or equivalent is required at the Schnebly Hill trailhead. There is a
permit kiosk at the trailhead.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/home/?cid=stelprdb5416207

INFO: Coconino
National Forest

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55322