A small group of five hardy hikers (Michael, Sandy, Eileen, Jim, Wayne) met at 7:00 AM to head up to Sedona. Eileen volunteered to drive as we all fit in her new Honda Pilot.

We had light traffic on our way up and made good time, but when we turned off for the final 3.2 miles on Dry Creek Road we were greeted with a very rough and rocky road. It took a half hour to travel those last miles to the trailhead.

We started the hike about 10 am. The first part of the trail is out in the open as we head west toward Secret Canyon.

The trail passes through Pinon, Juniper and some of the largest Manzanita we have ever seen.

We took our time on the hike in as there were so many photo opportunities of the Red Rocks.

When we entered Secret Canyon we were rewarded with fantastic fall colors: the red of Maples and oranges/yellow of the Sycamore.

We hiked in the dry creek bed for part of the way as the the canyon walls closed in on each side and stopped for lunch.

Then we hiked a bit farther before turning around at about four miles.

Total round trip was 7.8 miles.

A beautiful hike with great scenery and hiking friends. What a way to spend the day!

Pictures by Sandy Dwyer, Eileen Root, and Wayne Shimata.