Nine hikers gather at Encinoso Picnic Area around 8:00 AM and split into two groups:

The hike is a big climb up first, with some switchbacks surrounding fantastic fall colors. There were some big rains in the summer. Leaves pop out color, just right for us to enjoy. We stop now and then to catch our breath, take pictures, and enjoy mountains covered with red, yellow, orange leaves.

The short hike group stops at the first bench, goes around to enjoy the lookout, have snacks. We hike back the same way we came.

Weather is perfect for hiking: low 51° and high 74°, with a little breeze.

The long hike group, composed of Tom, Li, Terry, David, and Barbara, along with Mark, enjoyed the beautiful fall colors as we climbed up the canyon from the Encinoso Picnic Area.

The first part of the climb is gradual and on the canyon floor, but around one mile, we began a steep hike up the canyon wall to First Bench. As we approach the Bench we get views of Oak Creek Canyon and to the north, the San Francisco Peaks. It is a clear day and the temperature is perfect for a strenuous climb. Two miles from the start we have climbed 1500 feet and are walking across First Bench.

Mark has been with us, but at the Wilson Mountain Trail junction, we leave him and start climbing again. Another mile and we have gained 600 feet up the mountain. We continue across the mountain through the area burned by the 2006 Brins Fire. What trees are up here have lost their leaves and the area is brown.

We reach the North Rim Overlook, which has wonderful views of Sterling Canyon, the Vultee Arch way below, and to the north, Oak Creek Canyon. After a lunch break, and plenty of pictures, we hike back the way we came. We “find” the burned but alive alligator juniper whose pictures appear in previous Trailblazer hikes and after pictures, continue to the Sedona Overlook Trail junction.

A half mile on this trail leads us to great views of Sedona, “tiny” Midgley Bridge and the many famous rock formations. The bridge is about 2300 feet below us. After enjoying the view, we start back the way we came, reaching the picnic area after 11.3 miles and seven hours of hiking. Besides the views, we have enjoyed the solitude.

This day not many hikers start from Encinoso, and outside of one group, we only saw a dozen hikers above First Bench. My GPS app Route Scout records an elevation change of 2300 feet and an accumulated elevation change of 3000 feet.