2015 Hike #52 - West Fork and Insomnia Canyon, Sedona, AZ
West Fork trail is probably my most favorite trail. The well maintained trail is just over 3 miles long and crosses Oak Creek 13 times. Paul and I have hiked this trail at different times of the year, once in the winter when there was ice and snow and in the fall when the leaves are changing. It is almost always crowded and hard to find parking. This year I dropped off Paul and Mike Knarzer at the top of the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness to descend into Insomnia Canyon. I was not able to join them due to a shoulder and knee injury so I hiked West Fork hoping to meet them as they were exiting. For more information on Insomnia Canyon see: http://canyoncollective.com/betabase/insomnia.108/
After dropping off Paul and Mike, I hiked up to the scenic ridge which had views of the entire area. There had been a major forest fire the year prior and this area had been closed off to the public. It was a little sad and spooky to be where just a year ago so much destruction had been done. Insomnia Canyon is a technical canyon which includes a 320' rappel which is mostly free hanging and a couple of potential keeper pot holes. We hired Mike Knarzer to take us/Paul through this canyon to ensure our safety. The distance of Insomnia/West Fork is 6 miles and it took approx. 8 hours. This canyon would require 2 vehicles unless you can be dropped off at the top (approx. 1 hour drive from Sedona) or hike up the steep AB Young trail afterwards.
West Fork trail is probably my most favorite trail. The well maintained trail is just over 3 miles long and crosses Oak Creek 13 times. Paul and I have hiked this trail at different times of the year, once in the winter when there was ice and snow and in the fall when the leaves are changing. It is almost always crowded and hard to find parking. This year I dropped off Paul and Mike Knarzer at the top of the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness to descend into Insomnia Canyon. I was not able to join them due to a shoulder and knee injury so I hiked West Fork hoping to meet them as they were exiting. For more information on Insomnia Canyon see: http://canyoncollective.com/betabase/insomnia.108/
After dropping off Paul and Mike, I hiked up to the scenic ridge which had views of the entire area. There had been a major forest fire the year prior and this area had been closed off to the public. It was a little sad and spooky to be where just a year ago so much destruction had been done. Insomnia Canyon is a technical canyon which includes a 320' rappel which is mostly free hanging and a couple of potential keeper pot holes. We hired Mike Knarzer to take us/Paul through this canyon to ensure our safety. The distance of Insomnia/West Fork is 6 miles and it took approx. 8 hours. This canyon would require 2 vehicles unless you can be dropped off at the top (approx. 1 hour drive from Sedona) or hike up the steep AB Young trail afterwards.
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