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It's no cakewalk, but if you're up for some serious climbing, a sight line all the way to the San Francisco Peaks is the cherry on top of this hike
You'd be hard-pressed to find a hike in Sedona that boasts as much consistently beautiful scenery as the trail leading up Bear Mountain. It's a long way to the top (about 1,200 ft.), and it might be challenging for an inexperienced hiker - you'll walk uphill much of the way, and you'll have to use your hands as well as your feet to scurry up certain portions - but almost from the get-go, you'll be treated to gorgeous, unobstructed views that only get better the higher you climb.
Resume your climbing - another plateau awaits in the distance. From this second landing, you may think you see the top; no such luck. There's a false summit; on your way to it - a path that goes mostly up with a few detours down - you'll see breathtaking views of Fay Canyon, and the higher you go, the better they get. The final portion of the trail takes some serious climbing, but if you've got the stamina, you'll be rewarded with a view of Red Canyon and a vista that extends as far north as the San Francisco Peaks. It may be a bear to get up there, but when you're surrounded by such peaceful scenery, the effort seems anything but grisly. DIRECTIONS: Take Hwy 89A west of the "Y" approximately 3.2 miles. Make a right on Dry Creek Rd. Continue to the "T" and make a left onto Long Canyon Rd. Follow to end and make a left onto FR 152C. Go 1.2 miles and pull into parking area on your right. A Red Rock Pass is required for parking. |
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We took the hike a day after a steady rainfall, and the sound of running water made it seem even more special. The trail begins deceptively easily, a wide, level path that leads you to the first incline. Climb for a while, and though some hikers may be huffing and puffing, it's worth it to revel in the continuous views of stunning rock formations. Catch your breath at the first plateau, and you'll get an eyeful of the Doe Mountain mesa across the way.
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