Bear Mountain Path in Sedona Mountain climbing Information

Hike the Bear Mountain Path in Sedona should you’re on the lookout for a problem. It’s the second highest level in Sedona County (6,463 ft), so you might be assured of a exercise, particularly because the path climbs near 2,000 ft in simply 2.5 miles.

As official path #54 in Coconino Nationwide Forest, you’ll profit from good signage and path markings, together with white blazes painted on slick rock or the occasional cairn. We had completely no drawback with route discovering.

Although the Bear Mountain path is steep, its damaged up with quick flatter sections the place you possibly can catch your breath. It’s additionally a vibrant hike with two ranges – the decrease pink rock stage and the higher white rock stage.

There isn’t any shade on the Bear Mountain path – and in summer season the temperatures can get brutally scorching. Go ready with a number of water (carry a gallon of water in summer season), a wide-brimmed solar hat, and sunscreen together with the same old mountain climbing necessities.

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One of the steeper sections on the Bear Mountain trail in Sedona where you may need to use your hands — *One of many steeper sections on the Bear Mountain path in Sedona the place you might want to make use of your arms*

Abstract of mountain climbing the Bear Mountain path in Sedona

Distance: 5 miles spherical journey

Elevation achieve: 2,100 ft (cumulative)

Time wanted: 3.5 – 5 hours.

Degree of issue: Onerous

Permits wanted: Buy a Crimson Rock Move on the kiosk within the car parking zone with a bank card or at any of quite a few companies and resorts in Sedona. An America the Stunning Move can be utilized in lieu of the Crimson Rock Move.

Amenities: There’s a pit rest room within the car parking zone.

Footwear: Take mountain climbing sneakers with ankle assist and tread.

Canines: Leashed canine are permitted on the Bear Mountain path hike in Sedona. Depart them at residence on highly regarded days and convey a number of water for them too. They undergo from warmth exhaustion quicker than people do.

Please: Follow the 7 Depart No Hint rules. That features plan forward and put together, journey on sturdy surfaces, eliminate waste correctly, go away what you discover, respect wildlife, decrease campfire impacts (not related right here), and be thoughtful of others.

Purchase your Red Rock Pass at the vending machine in the parking lot — *Buy your Crimson Rock Move for $5 on the merchandising machine within the car parking zone*

Parking for the Bear Mountain path in Sedona

One of many causes we selected to hike the Bear Mountain path on a weekend is that we knew we might get parking. As a heads up, you’re going to run into visitors congestion, parking points, and a complete lot of individuals while you go to Sedona from President’s Day weekend till effectively into April. It’s additionally busy in September and October.

The parking for the hike up Bear Mountain is shared with the Doe Mountain path. Though the car parking zone isn’t massive, there’s a number of good parking alongside the street and chances are high you received’t need to stroll far. That’s not the case with the extremely popular hikes like Satan’s Bridge, Soldier’s Move, and the Boynton Canyon path.

Instructions to the Bear Mountain trailhead

It’s 5.7 miles to the trailhead from the intersection of Freeway 89A and Dry Creek Street. Head north on Dry Creek Street for two miles to the cease signal. Flip left on Boynton Move Street and observe it for two.4 miles.

Proceed to the subsequent cease signal and switch left, staying on Boynton Move Street. Proceed for an additional 1.3 miles to achieve the Doe Mountain – Bear Mountain car parking zone. It’s signed and apparent. You’ll discover it on the left-hand aspect of the street as you strategy from Sedona.

Observe that the hike up Bear Mountain begins throughout the street from the car parking zone.

You can't see Bear Mountain yet but this the trail you want to be on — *You possibly can’t see Bear Mountain but, however that is the path you need to be on*

Easy methods to hike the Bear Mountain path close to Sedona

Stroll throughout the street and also you’ll spy the broad path heading in direction of Bear Mountain. It crosses two washes earlier than it begins a gradual ascent to the wilderness boundary.

Heed the warnings for the Bear Mountain trail in Sedona — *Heed the warnings for the Bear Mountain path in Sedona*

There are 4 distinct sections on the hike up Bear Mountain, with the steepest sections within the pink rock part. Between the steep bits are flattish sections – place to cease for a break and drink some water.

The primary of the 4 sections is a 450-foot climb by means of the pink rock on a slim path. There might be occasions the place you must use your arms for steadiness. It’s stunning by means of right here and common hikers could have no points. I at all times discover it method simpler going up these steep stretches than coming down. Be careful that you just don’t put your hand in a spiny cactus!

Mountain climbing tip for staying on the path: Search for painted white hash marks on the rocks. Their spacing is irregular, maybe each 20 ft or extra. For those who haven’t seen them shortly you will have obtained off-trail. I believe the Bear Mountain path in Sedona is apparent, but it surely’s simple to get side-tracked with all of the distinctive surroundings.

When the grade moderates you’ll get into the white rock part of the Bear Mountain path hike in Sedona. It’s pleasant mountain climbing on broad slabs of white rock and the views are wonderful, although I believe one of the best a part of the hike is the stretch by means of the checkerboard sandstone on the high of the third part.

It’s my favorite kind of mountain climbing and on the similar time you’ll get pleasure from superlative views of Fay Canyon. Try my Instagram reel to see what I imply.

I loved the fact we didn't see many people on the Bear Mountain trail — *I beloved the very fact we didn’t see many individuals on the Bear Mountain path*

Arrival on the summit of Bear Mountain is a tad anticlimactic. There’s an indication among the many shrubs – however no view from that spot. Have a wander round to discover a place for a break and revel in.

I additionally advocate strolling north so you will get a view of San Francisco Mountain, the very best level in Arizona at an elevation of 12,690 ft. It’s an extinct stratovolcano that’s coated with snow for a lot of the 12 months.

To return to the car parking zone, merely retrace your steps.

My husband and I totally loved the Bear Mountain path hike. We love exercise and we obtained that in spades. The pink rock views are unbelievable as are the number of rocks, and the micro-landscapes alongside the path. Get pleasure from.

Bear Mountain Path images

The easy part of the Bear Mountain trail near Sedona — *The simple a part of the Bear Mountain path close to Sedona*

Watch your footing on the narrow Bear Mountain trail through the red rock — *Watch your footing on the slim Bear Mountain path by means of the pink rock* *part*

My geologist husband is in his element on the Bear Mountain trail — *My geologist husband is in his component on the Bear Mountain path*

Easy hiking on the white rock slabs — *Straightforward mountain climbing on the white rock slabs*

Airy views from this part of the hike — *Ethereal views from this a part of the Bear Mountain Path hike*

There is some up and down on the white rock section on the Bear Creek trail — *There’s some up and down on the white rock part on the Bear Creek Path*

You have to lose elevation before the final climb up Bear Mountain — *You have to lose elevation earlier than the ultimate climb up Bear Mountain*

Views from just below the summit of Bear Mountain — *Views from slightly below the summit of Bear Mountain*

On the less than inspiring summit of Bear Mountain — *On the finish of the Bear Mountain* *Path*

One of the views you get from the broad Bear Mountain summit — *One of many views you get from the broad Bear Mountain summit*

Enjoying the views on the descent — *Having fun with the views on the descent*

The lighting got better in the afternoon with the approach of rain clouds — *The lighting obtained higher within the afternoon with the strategy of rain clouds*

Even the lower sections on the Bear Mountain trail are beautiful, especially in the right light — *Even the decrease sections on the Bear Mountain Path are stunning, particularly in the appropriate gentle*

There are a few sections of scree on the Bear Mountain trail where you don't want to go over on an ankle — *There are just a few sections of scree on the Bear Mountain Path in Sedona the place you don’t need to go over on an ankle*

You can see the parking lot for the Bear Mountain trail off to the left in the distance — *You possibly can see the car parking zone for the Bear Mountain Path off to the left within the distance*

Keep away from the hassles with a tour

Viator affords quite a few strolling and mountain climbing choices for these of you preferring to depart the main points to another person.

A number of of the favored ones embody the next.

The place to remain in Sedona

Sedona isn’t a cheap place to remain, no less than while you’re like me and paying in Canadian {dollars}. We selected to remain at Briar Patch Inn on Oak Creek, although in hindsight it was too removed from the trailheads we needed to make use of, particularly contemplating visitors. Give the placement of your lodging some consideration should you’re targeted on mountain climbing.

Some strategies embody:

Extra info on your journey to Sedona

The perfect time to go to Sedona from the climate perspective is mid-February to April and September to October. However that’s additionally the time everybody desires to go to.

I for one hate visitors, line-ups, too many individuals on a path, the shortcoming to get dinner reservations, and all the opposite issues that go along with the invention of an exceptionally stunning a part of Arizona.

Sooner or later I’ll go to within the low season. If it snows, it received’t final lengthy. And I received’t need to be up earlier than daybreak to get a parking house.

Determine what works for you. I believe the locals might be happier to see me within the low season too.