I'm curious as to whether anybody knows of any trails or has explored the west rim of oak creek canyon or the area NW of Sedona. From looking at Google Earth as well as some maps the area looks extremely undeveloped and has a nice system of canyons. Some of the FS roads amongst the maze of other roads appear to go right to the canyon's rim. Anyone interested in doing some exploring either by foot, pedal, or vehicle before everything gets impassible due to snow? Maybe scout it out and plan this years snow run for up there? I'd explore it myself and report back but I'm afraid of getting lost without more topo maps and/or a GPS.

Well if you hike 6mi in on West Fork, you're out of the RR restrictions and can camp legally. You can continue your hike if you like to a shuttle vehicle on the 231. A good fall hike for color.
There's a ton of other hikes around too: http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?ZTN=147

The problem with around there and up is that most drivable trails are shut down for winter. That's why most go E of Payson for snow drivin

Ah good info. I think I'll go ahead and hike that in a month or so. Maybe I'll figure something else to throw in and make it a "mini-manmping for those who weenied out for the real thing" Maybe gain some pride back?

AZCA jeeper wrote:Ah good info. I think I'll go ahead and hike that in a month or so. Maybe I'll figure something else to throw in and make it a "mini-manmping for those who weenied out for the real thing" Maybe gain some pride back?

The only problem I foresee with your plan is that you'll encounter swims where you will get wet on. The WF will be great for fall color come the middle-end of Oct. I'd love to hike from the 231 to the 89 but that'd be close to three days and I don't know if it will be too cold to do wet around that time. We'll have a small group up there with the church on the 15-17th car camping off the 535 near Fry Park. I hope to hike some of the West end or Casner Cabin draw during that time and find some color and creekage.

Well are we talking up to your waist wet or just calf high wet? I'm not really interested in wading and/or floating across a frigid creek in late oct, but I would be ok with getting a little wet. 3 days up there in fall color sounds enjoyable if one can keep warm at night. Too cold or not, I'm up to doing it if you are.