This was my final hike of the Summer Six Pack of Peaks Challenge. The weather was perfect, slightly cool at the start. Started at the North Wilson Trailhead at the north end of the picnic area. Trail winds up a ridge then drops into a beautiful forested canyon, a perfect shaded relief from the summer heat during the first mile and a half. At mile 0.8, you begin a long series of steep switchbacks that top at at Wilson Bench, 1.5 miles from the trailhead. This is the most challenging part of the hike. Hike along the bench for another 0.7 mile to the intersection with the South Wilson Mountain Trail. The elevation at this point is at about 6300 ft., approximately 1560 feet above the trailhead. Good work! Enjoy the views here east to Munds Mountain and Schnebly Hill. Tons of hiking out there as well! From here it's an easy jaunt to the summit ridge.Take the South trail up another 1.0 mile (very gradual uphill climb with 3 long switchbacks) to the where the trail splits between the South outlook view above Sedona, or the north outlook. I chose to go to the north outlook, another 1.5 miles over relatively flat terrain. The views at the north outlook are nothing less than spectacular! You're right above Sterling Pass and have stunning views of Oak Creek Canyon, the Secret Mountain Wilderness and the Kachina Peaks and Mount Elden near Flagstaff! My GPS said the elevation here is 6870 ft. The oak tress were starting to turn color, just the beginning of the fall color change. Total trip time was about 5 hours, trailhead to trailhead. Total distance, 9.5 miles. A Great Day!
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