In a nutshell, Cliffhanger Trail literally does what it says. West Sedona’s edgy multi-use trail lives up to its name and offers thrilling scenic views through stream-washed corners of the Coconino National Forest where the Oak River, Dry Creek and Turkey Creek meet. increase.
Cliffhanger is advertised as an OHV trail, but is more of a hybrid. Part of the fork route shares space with the 15-mile Lime Kiln Trail that runs between Red Rock State Park and Dead Horse Ranch State Park, with one fork at the secluded Flood of Oak Creek. It leads to a non-motorized walkway that lands on Hara.
The hike begins at the OHV trailhead and takes a short walk on forest road 9845A. At the bottom of a small hill with a green gate, the trail turns left and joins the Lime Kiln Trail marked by basket cairns (rock stakes wired to pillars).
The route is also marked by the orange cliffhanger trail posts. The road winds gently downhill through typical high desert vegetation.
Yucca, red barberry, prickly pear, catclaw and gray thorns line the maroon rocky paths. At 2.5 miles, the road crosses Dry Creek.
Scattered with colorful rocks, there is little surface water, but the leafy surroundings of sandy cottonwood, sycamore, desert willow and cypress trees absorb underground moisture. After crossing the creek, the route heads back uphill on he one of a succession of ups and downs. This brings the hike’s total elevation gain to over 1,100 feet.
Below you’ll find a meandering course of Dry Creek and surrounding views of Sedona’s rock formations. The road is carved out of red sandstone cliffs and continues downhill steeply. There is little shade, except for the occasional juniper or pinon pine.
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Therefore, it is important to choose a cool day and drink plenty of water for this hike. The road splits at the 2 mile mark. The Lime Kiln Trail turns left following the cliffhanger north fork. Forest Road 9845N turns right at the south fork of the Cliffhanger Trail.
The trip follows forest road 9845N that winds through the hills before beginning the dive into Oak Creek. This section oscillates between canyon-filled grasslands and highlands, with views of the Bradshaw Mountains culminating on a sharp right turn. There, the route takes on tough steep descents on rough, stepped tracks. The bright green band below marks the corridors of Oak Creek.
A short, steep section reaches a pocket of juniper forest, where the road abruptly turns from rust red to powdery grey. After 5.3 miles, a green gate prohibits motorized access to the rest of Forest Road 9845N. Hikers, bikers and equestrians can plod his last 0.6 miles. A narrow, deeply rutted trail along Oak Creek brings you to the lowest point of the hike, a grassy meadow surrounded by streams and vertical cliffs.
On the west bank of the stream stands a natural stone foundation and a low wall that may have been a hut or enclosure.
The stone ruins make a good turning point. Forest Road 9845N leads a short distance through meadows, while another faded dirt road, Forest Road 9845R, offers a weedy walk along a quiet high desert creek corridor.
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Sedona Hiking: Cliffhanger Trail
length: 11.9 miles round trip.
evaluation: Moderate.
elevation: 4,085 to 3,708 feet (1,100 feet cumulative elevation change).
directions: From State Route 179/89A Ring Road in uptown Sedona, follow SR 89A west for 13 miles (to Cottonwood) to the Cliffhanger OVH Trailhead (Forest Road 9845A) on the left. It is directly across from Sedona Wetlands Preserve near Mile Marker 366.
detail: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=83430.
Find out more about hiking Mare Czinar here. http://arizonahiking.blogspot.com.
