Loy Canyon Trail #5 - Sedona, AZ

eatstayplay.com - Arizona - Loy Canyon Trail #5

Loy Canyon Trail #5

GPS Coordinates: Unknown

What is a geocache? Click here to find about geocaching


	Courtesy of EatStayPlay.com

Loy Canyon Trail #5 skirts Hancock Ranch, then parallels and sometimes crosses the usually dry drainage as it climbs gradually along the floor of Loy Canyon. As the trail rises, desert scrub vegetation gives way to riparian trees, conifers, and huge alligator junipers that offer shade but hide the view.

Farther along, the trail becomes steeper and enters a ponderosa pine forest. At 4 miles, the canyon narrows and the trail begins a 1,000-foot climb over loose rock up the west cliff face. Desert vegetation returns, the shade is lost, and the views are marvelous looking back over Loy Canyon. Finally the trail levels out, turns eastward, passes through a cattle gate, and ends at a saddle where it intersects Secret Mountain Trail.

The end of Forest Road 538 is one-half mile north of the intersection on Secret Mountain Trail #109. The trail is only 5 miles long with a total elevation change of 1,680 feet; however, it rises 1,000 feet during the last mile and therefore may be considered a difficult hike.

Facilities: Loy Canyon Trail #5 has no facilities.

Best Time To Visit: March through December is the best time to use Loy Canyon Trail #5.

Fees: There is a fee to use this trail.

Accessibility: This trail has no handicap access.

Rules: A Red Rock Parking Pass is required. Leashed pets are allowed. No camping is permitted within 1 mile of the trailhead.

Directions: To reach Loy Canyon Trail #5 from the intersection of Highways 89A and 179 in Sedona, take 89A west 9.6 miles to Forest Road 525 (Red Canyon Rd.) on right. Go north on this unpaved road (passable for any car) for 9.5 miles, following signs for Loy Butte. Trailhead parking is on the left just before the cattleguard. Signed trailhead is directly across road from parking area.

Map: Click here for a map to Loy Canyon Trail #5

Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted for Loy Canyon Trail #5.

Address

Red Rock Ranger District

P.O. Box 300

Sedona, Arizona 86339

Phone
General: (928) 282-4119