Wet Beaver Creek Day Hike

One of my favorite swimming and cliff jumping destinations! What a great destination for a hot 4th of July weekend!

This tucked away desert oasis is the smallest of four major canyons that cut the Coconino National Forest's Red Rock rim country. Though it may be small, the scenery you'll find here is none the less impressive.

The easiest access is upstream from the canyon mouth along the Bell Trail, which will be our route today. The trail follows a ridge up the canyon along Wet Beaver Creek, with a number of spur trails going down to the perennially flowing creek, shaded by towering cottonwood and sycamore trees. We will follow the creek for about 3.25 miles to Bell Crossing, one of the most scenic and recognized locations in Red Rock Country. This picture-perfect setting will be our lunch spot and turn-around point. From here we will return along the same trail to our starting point making this a 6.5 mile round trip.

West Valley Carpool location: Please meet at the M&I Bank in the Fry's shopping plaza at the southwest corner of I17 and Bell Road at 7:30 a.m.

East Valley Carpool location: AZ Mills parking lot, behind Claim Jumpers, 6:45 am.

Remember:
Hat, sun block, sunglasses
Sturdy hiking boots
At least 2-3 liters of water
Lunch and/or snacks
Camera
Bathing suit and water shoes

Rated: easy to moderate. 200' elevation change
Dogs allowed.

Directions: On Interstate 17, continue north to the Highway 179 turnoff to Sedona. Turn right (east) onto Forest Road 618 (Beaver Creek Road) and follow the signs to FR 618A on the left side of the road (about 2.2 miles). Turn onto FR 618A and drive for a quarter-mile to the Bell Trail parking area. FR 618 and FR 618A are both passable for passenger cars, unless there has been a lot of recent rainfall. There are restrooms at the trailhead.

http://www.fs.fed.us/...

http://www.fs.fed.us/...