Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Bell Trail/White Mesa Trail Day Hike

when	Saturday, March 20, 2021
where	Sedona
the hike	This hike was recently featured in an article by Mare Czinar in the Arizona Republic. This will be an exploratory hike since the club has never done it before. The hike will be 6.5 miles roundtrip, with 1,000 feet of net elevation change.     We’ll start out on the ever-popular Bell Trail which goes up canyon on a wide track road along Wet Beaver Creek and hike that for 1.7 miles. At this point we enter the Wet Beaver Creek Wilderness and exit the Bell Trail at the head of Casner Canyon.     An optional side trip here is to hike another 1.75 miles up the Bell Trail to Bell Crossing and check out the numerous swimming holes along Wet Beaver Creek. This would probably be best to do before the 1,000-foot climb to the top of White Mesa.     This is a well-marked junction, and we’ll make a left turn here off the Bell Trail onto the White Mesa Trail #86. The White Mesa Trail soon begins traversing the south wall of Casner Canyon, climbing 1,000 feet in 0.7 miles. This will be the most strenuous part of the entire hike. At the top of the mesa, we’ll take a break     The trail continues on top of the rim, and at 2.2 miles from the Bell Trail/White Mesa Trail junction comes to an abrupt end at a large cairn. We turn left here and hike for another 0.2 miles to the edge of White Mesa, with great views looking down on Wet Beaver Creek and Verde Valley in the distance.     We’ll stop somewhere on the mesa for a lunch and rest break, before returning on the same route back to the Bell Trail trailhead. Required: •  Sturdy hiking boots •  At least 3 liters of water •  Rain poncho •  Hat, sunblock, sunglasses Recommended: •  Lunch or snacks •  Camera
distance	6.5 miles
time	4-5 hours
EC	+-997' elevation change
elevations	3,828' to 4,925'
type	round trip
starting at	Bell Trail Trailhead
on trail	100% — Bell and White Mesa Trails
rating	"C"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed	no
cost	Red Rock Passes are not required here. The club allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather	Sedona
leader	You must email the leader to confirm.
meet	For those who want to caravan together to the trailhead, we’ll meet at 8:00 AM in the Fry’s parking lot on the SW corner of I-17 & Bell Road. Park behind Denny’s, near the entrance to the Deer Valley Park & Ride. We will leave promptly at 8:15 AM.
drive	•  Take I-17 north past Camp Verde to Exit 298 for Sedona. • Turn right (east) at the bottom of the off ramp onto FR618. • Drive 2.2 miles on FR618 to the main Bell Trail parking lot. • FR618 is a well-maintained dirt/gravel road suitable for all vehicles. • Restrooms are located at the trailhead.

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updated January 26, 2021	© Copyright 2021, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.