West Fork of Oak Creek

Excuse me, but could you tell us how far it is until we get to the view spot?

Every time I hike West Fork I hear that from tourists.  They’re always waiting for that big pay off.  Ascending to some summit to look back and take in the canyon.  Unfortunately, West Fork isn’t about that.

North of Sedona you’ll find a narrow winding road with very few roadside pull offs.  Slide Rock is one popular destination.  And the other big attraction is West Fork.  If you like hikes along running water, amazing rock walls, cool breezes on a hot day, this may be just your destination.

What’s so interesting about West Fork?

Tourists flock to Sedona Arizona year round.  They come to see the incredible red rock formations that the town of Sedona is built in and around.  Day hikes abound.  Great mountain biking opportunities await.  Pink Jeep tours will get you into the heart of red rock country.  Views abound, and it seems like everyone is carrying a camera.

West Fork is a little different.  It’s not about big grand views.  It’s about a pleasant hike underneath towering multi-colored walls with the sound of water flowing along the hike.  There’s no real destination.  The canyon itself is the attraction.  The further in you go, the fewer distractions (read other people).

The trail is mostly soft sand.  It’s relatively flat with few ups and downs compared to hiking up to some big vista.  Most anyone can walk part way into West Fork and enjoy what the canyon has to offer.  You can choose a short in and out hike, or you can go for miles on end into the canyon and side off shoots.

What’s truly remarkable about the canyon from my own perspective is that it doesn’t “feel” like Arizona.  With an abundance of foliage, running water, cool shaded areas even in the summer heat, West Fork feels more like a hike on the East Coast than it does an Arizona walk.  It’s unexpected for your standard Arizona tourist.

Arizona’s Fall Foliage Season

Saguaro cactus offer little during the fall.  But northern Arizona does offer a little for the intrepid leaf peeper.  Flagstaff has the aspen change.  And West Fork offers a multitude of colors.

The weekends find the West Fork parking lot full quickly.  Holidays the canyon is packed as well.  Weekdays are best if you can pull it off, and if you do you’ll find your own fall paradise right here in Arizona.

So what are we talking about?  Reds, yellow, oranges, greens, tans, & browns.  Normally the season gets going October to November.  And right now in 2011 the colors are popping right now.  You’ve got a week, maybe two, left to take it all in.  Don’t forget, the foliage is popping, and combined with the multicolored walls of the canyon you can really capture some dramatic scenes.

Sometimes the light isn’t with you, so have a little patience

What makes West Fork such a great hike also makes it a hard place to photograph.  Towering walls offer cool shaded sections next to the river.  The dense forest offers dappled light that can drive you crazy.  Depending on where you are, dark sections of the forest force major changes in your camera settings mere minutes away from areas that are over powered by the sun.  It’s a challenge to be sure.

The rewards of hiking through the cool forests are many though.  During the summer season West Fork is often a break from the Arizona heat.  Popping your shoes off and getting wet you’ll cool down quickly.  The Fall of course is spectacular.  So many colors!  So many other visitors too, but still worth while!

This is a location that must be explored to find the right light.  This is not a pop in and pop out photo destination or roadside pull off.  You’re going to need to take your time.  If you do, not only will you have an incredible day, you’ll also come away with some amazing images!