Exploring Jacks Canyon with the Sedona Westerners
October 11, 2024
The Village of Oak Creek in clear view from the Hot Loop Trail off Jack's Canyon as captured by the Sedona Westerners Amblers hiking group.
Robert Frost wrote in the poem, "The Road Not Taken," “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” Red Rock country has plenty of storied hikes with rock climbs and dramatic scenery, but we can also appreciate a serene, less-traveled trek on a well-maintained trail with open vistas over a verdant valley.
Our first hike with the Sedona Westerners was just such a hike: a tranquil, less-traveled trail - and a perfect introduction to hiking in our newly adopted neighborhood. My husband Richard and I joined the Sedona Westerners Amblers group in mid-September in the Village of Oak Creek.
The hike started at the Jacks Canyon trailhead. Ordinarily, the Westerners would have crossed the road from the parking lot there to hike the Rabbit Ears trail. But on this day, we went the other way, on a trail that even some of the Amblers were unfamiliar with. We divided into two groups self-selected for walking pace. Our group was ably led by Jan Taylor, with Hassan Hosseini serving as our group’s “tailgater” to ensure that we were all together and on track. Amblers Boss, Jon Petrescu led the second group.
We headed south from the parking lot through a cattle gate and onto the Hot Loop Trail. Hassan made sure to close the cattle gate carefully after we passed through. Jan and Hassan paused us periodically to point out natural local landmarks and history of the area. They also noted local vegetation (wildflowers, manzanita, Arizona juniper trees, and more), as well as a few effects of the 2006 800-acre La Barranca fire still visible.
The first mile of this maintained trail crosses open ranch territory along the edge of a quiet subdivision. We loved the early-morning peace and shade on this cloudless morning hike. We walked at a comfortable pace for our group, stepping over occasional evidence of horse riders and dodging a few thorny brambles. This section of the Hot Loop trail included comfortable shaded areas with a few short climbs-perfect for getting to know our fellow hikers. Our group was companionable during both “get to know you” conversation and times of silence as we took in the views. Some conversations brought us back to college or a first date. Instead of “What’s your major?” we asked. “Where are you from?” and “What brought you to Sedona?” Seasoned area hikers traded information about current conditions on the trails they had shared.
The Hot Loop trail offered sweeping views of the Village of Oak Creek as we looked behind us toward Courthouse Rock, Bell Rock, and Castle Rock. A twisted, aging juniper tree wrapped itself around a large red rock beside the trail. The tree was still alive, and one wonders how long this tree and rock have been locked in this embrace.
We perched on the rock ledges of a wash “bowl” to take a snack break that overlooked a magnificent valley view of dry canyon creek bed and green valley. The location lent itself to companionable contemplation interspersed with quiet comments to our fellow hikers. Someone pointed toward the Mingus Mountains way in the distance and wondered if we could make out the hillside town of Jerome. Maybe.
Not far from our break spot, a mile maybe, the Hot Loop trail connects to the Woods Canyon trail. It would be possible to do a shuttle hike from Jacks Canyon to the Ranger Station on Highway 179 if you left a car there and wanted to hike one-way.
The Hot Loop is in fact not a loop trail at all but takes its name from a branding iron used by cowboys. The trail continues northward where it eventually reaches the Schnebly Hill Trail deep in the Munds Mountain Wilderness climbing another 1,000 feet to the top of Horse Mesa – that is not a trail for the casual hiker and there are trail signs indicating as much.
The trail had given us all a good cardio workout as we climbed the Hot Loop trail, so we were glad of the descent and the trail flattened out as we headed back to the parking lot with Lee Mountain in the distance.
Our take on our inaugural Sedona Westerners hike: The Westerners are our travel agents for our new home territory. We can choose our destination and trip length from the list of scheduled hikes listed on the Westerners website. We know that each hike has a meeting time and place, a tour itinerary, suggested attire and equipment, and expert volunteer guides. Best of all, we look forward to many more fantastic planned outdoor experiences in Sedona.
October is a great time to join the Sedona Westerners as the fall foliage moves toward its peak season. The Dogies venture into the higher elevations of Flagstaff this week to hike the Kachina Trail and the Rough Riders explore James Canyon near Munds Park. The Rustlers and the Drovers hike the Dawa-Rupp Loop and Steamboat trails this weekend. The Mustangs and Amblers have the week off as the Fall Cookout is next Thursday. Go to www.SedonaWesterners.org to find out more about the Westerners and the 2024-2025 hiking season. As always, membership is only $30 for the whole season and includes lunch at the Fall Cookout.