Hike Secret Mountain Trail, Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness, Arizona

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This trail can be accessed from the end of FR 538 on the rim or as an add-on to the Loy Canyon Trail. The trail climbs up from the Secret Mountain Saddle where it joins with the Loy Canyon Trail. Because of the remoteness and infrequent use of the trail, the trail can be easily lost. Several trail spurs take the hiker to spectacular views but pay attention to where you left the main trail. There is only one way to return and that is the way in. If you lose the trail, retrace your steps immediately to pick up the trail again. The trail starts off running along a bit of a ridge up to a knob where there are some fantastic views. Diving down to a narrow saddle, the trail meets the top of Loy Canyon Trail, then climbs up to a fairly flat run. Around 1.0 mile are the remains of an old dry tank and corral. It’s almost easy to miss the corral because there’s just a few posts left, as well as a rusty old dredge. Off to the left just past the corral is Johnson Tank. The tank wall reveals signs of masonry work where the dirt has eroded away. Past Johnson Tank, the trail runs above and to the left of a ravine, where two more tanks hold water. The first, Masonry Tank, is built using local stones to dam a narrow, rocky section of the creek bed. The dam creates a small, shallow pond. Below Masonry Tank is Cement Tank, created from three slabs of preformed concrete. This dam creates a rather large, long, and narrow pond which runs back almost to Masonry Tank. There is a rough footpath running from Cement Tank to above Masonry Tank, a lovely diversion from the main trail. According to the Mangums, this area of forest is virgin. Near Cement Tank, the trail descends to a bench along the creek bed where another, more complete corral and Secret Cabin are situated (1.8 miles from the trailhead). Secret Cabin is in fair shape, its walls standing but its roof has collapsed. According to the Mangums, the cabin was built as a failed homestead, and was later inhabited by a family of polygamous Latter Day Saints escaping persecution, then horse thieves who’d bring stolen horses up Loy Canyon from Sedona en route to Flagstaff and northern destinations. Heading uphill past the cabin, the trail leads up to a ridge with a nice view and more corrals. The main trail leads off to the left for another 2.8 miles. Since it was pretty hot weather, we decided to follow the Mangums' recommendation: we had lunch in the shade of a tree, then turned around and headed back to the trailhead, diverting down into the ravine to explore the tanks on the way back. If you plan on driving the dirt roads to the Secret Mountain Trailhead, a Coconino National Forest map is essential for navigation as there are many dirt roads that cross and merge with the with the route to the trailhead. Four-wheel-drive and high clearance is recommended. Do not attempt to drive if the roads are muddy or snowy. From Flagstaff: take Woody Mountain Road (FR 231) south, take FR 538 off to the right, keeping southward this road becomes FR 536. Go about half-mile and turn left on FR 538. Stay on FR 538 about 2 miles to trailhead. This route is about 27.5 miles from Route 66. From Sedona: Traveling north on 89A, turn left on FR 535 which is approximately 1.2 miles beyond the switchbacks. After 2.6 miles bear left (south) to continue on FR 535. After 4.1 miles bear left on FR 536. After 3.25 miles, bear right on to FR 538. The trailhead is 11.6 miles further with many forks and road crossings. This route is about 22 miles from Hwy. 89A. From the top of the Loy Canyon Trail: at the Secret Mountain Saddle, turn right on the Secret Mountain Trail.

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