Secret Slickrock is one of Sedona's best trails. Here's how to make hiking it even better
It’s a rare hike that packs in as much over-the-top awesomeness as the Secret Slickrock Trail.
Short in length but serving up a generous dose of Sedona scenery, the 0.4-mile route with outlets on Chavez Ranch Road and Red Rock Crossing Road appears on maps as if it goes nowhere in particular.
In fact, it goes everywhere without going too far. That might sound like a contradiction, but the trail’s position high above Oak Creek is a unique eye-candy platform.
On paper, it reads like a touristy step-out, but when tied into a longer trek using the Carroll Canyon Area Trails network, it’s a confectionary capstone.
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How to find Sedona's Secret Slickrock Trail
Located at the end of a paved street in west Sedona opposite a popular roadside overlook, the Secret Slickrock Trail is not so secret.
Marked only by a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it trail sign that competes with the marquee attraction across the road, its low-key presence doesn’t scream epic journey. But, like an icy shower, this one wastes no time delivering the shock factor.
However, scenic climaxes such as this one are best experienced with a little foreshadowing. By looping the Secret Slickrock Trail with the Old Post, Ramshead and Ridge trails, the journey is a slow burn to the in-your-face final act.
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How to make a loop hike of the Secret Slickrock Trail
Beginning at the Old Post trailhead, which is little more than a dirt turn-out, the circuit heads north to connect with the Ramshead Trail. Ramshead rolls out the teases with peeks at Cathedral Rock, the distant Bradshaw Mountains and the leafy course of Oak Creek and its floodplains.
The trail crosses a road and continues up russet sandstone ledges to meet the Ridge Trail junction where hikers may go either right or left to get to Secret Slickrock. For this trip, go left, hike 0.4 miles then head right and trudge 0.1 miles up paved Chavez Ranch Road to the scenic overlook parking area.
A bare rock ledge hangs over Oak Creek and the Crescent Moon Picnic Area that’s world-famous for its access to one of the most photographed sites in the Southwest, the towering spires of Cathedral Rock reflecting into the creek.
While the spot is great for making pretty pictures, the big show happens across the road where junipers shade the sign for the Secret Slickrock Trail.
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Watch carefully or you'll miss the cairns
A brief section of the level trail opens up views of Sedona’s chiseled landforms all around before encountering an abrupt edge where a steep staircase-like trail marks the descent to a massive stone platform.
The open-air, bald stage is home to a convergence of blue sky, red rock towers and the tree-cluttered course of Oak Creek flowing below.
The tiny paradise is a microcosm of everything Sedona. It has reflecting pools like the remote and difficult Cow Pies Trail has without the effort to get to them. Heavenly views of iconic vortex Cathedral Rock looming over Oak Creek, without the crowds. A mix of cactus-and-yucca-studded high desert grasslands and 360-degree mountain vistas all in one place.
Closing up the loop hike can be tricky because the trail disappears on the Slickrock. Only fugitive basket cairns mark the sketchy route that descends to reconnect with the Ridge Trail.
The trail is there, but route-finding and attention to uneven footing are required for those looking to upgrade from the 5-cent tour.
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Sedona hike: Secret Slickrock Trail
Length: 5 miles round trip as described here.
Rating: Moderate.
Elevation: 3,955-4,185 feet.
Getting there: Old Post Trailhead: From the State Route 179/89A traffic circle in Sedona, go 4 miles west (toward Cottonwood) on SR 89A to Upper Red Rock Loop Road. Turn left and go 1.8 miles to Chavez Ranch Road (Forest Road 216A), turn left and go 0.1 miles to the Old Post trailhead on the left.
To drive to the Secret Slickrock trailhead, continue on Chavez Ranch Road to the trailhead a few yards past the FR 788A junction at a road gate. The trail begins across from the parking apron and forest service kiosk.
Details: Coconino National Forest, https://www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.
Read more of Mare Czinar's hikes at http://arizonahiking.blogspot.com.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Popular Sedona hike: Secret Slickrock Trail for epic scenery
