Cappie’s Scoop: This is one of my favorite hikes not only because the views are amazing but the rocks are RED just like me! And I get to climb a lot of rocks. The trail climbs and climbs with a few trees to hide under for some shade. Here’s the good news, you know when you’ve reached the end because it says “End of Trail.” Every time mom and I are close to Sedona, we will try and squeeze in this hike. Also, in case you were wondering, there are no bears on this trail except for one, me, Cappie Bear! Don’t hesitate to add YOUR scoop in the comments below!
Tips: This trail is a lot of climbing. You gain a good amount of elevation in only a couple miles. Be sure to start early because there is little to no shade. The sun may be behind the rocks early in the morning but it may come out in full force as the day goes on. We hiked this trail in May and we encountered a rattlesnake. There are a lot of rocks so keep your eyes open and have a plan in place if someone were to get bit. Since this is not a traditional dirt trail, the white painted blazes on the red rock help you navigate the route.
Directions: From Sedona, head south on 89A. Turn right onto Dry Creek Road. After 4.5 miles you’ll reach a stop sign. Turn left and follow the sign for Enchantment Resort. Continue 1.2 miles and the parking area is on the left. If it’s full, there are a few spots on the side of the road where you can pull off safely. The trail begins across the street from the parking lot.
Mileage (round trip) | 4.6 |
Difficulty | Moderately Strenuous |
Gain (in feet) | 2109 |
Trailhead | 34.893439, -111.865172 |
Hike Time (in hours) | 3-4 |
Exposure | Sunny |
Scenery | Mountain Views, Wildflowers, Wildlife, Boulders |
Facilities | Toilets in parking area. |
Fees/Permits | Red Rock Pass or Interagency Annual Pass/America the Beautiful Pass (National Parks Pass). You can purchase daily ($5) and weekly ($15) Red Rock Passes from self-serve vending machines at this trailhead. These machines only accept credit cards for payment. For more locations plus options to buy an annual pass ($20) at the following link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5416212#vendingmachines. |
More Info | https://socalhiker.net/hiking-bear-mountain-in-sedona; https://www.arizonahighways.com/explore/hiking/bear-mountain-trail |
Last Hiked | 11/20/2018, 5/10/2020 |