I drove up from Gilbert east this morning and got on the trail at 6:30am.  There was o my 1 car in the lot and one just outside.  The gate was open (not sure if it’s normally closed or not). I had pre purchased my Red Rock pass online last night but there is a kiosk to purchase one in the parking lot near the bathrooms.  The first part of the trail is very narrow and overgrown.  The vegetation gradually thins out as you go up.  If you start early it’s shaded for the first mile and a half maybe?  Once you get to the first bench there’s no more shade for a while.  There’s a sign pointing you to North Wilson which takes you up toward the right.
Now, the reason my hike was over 10 miles is because o didn’t pay close enough attention and I was following the AllTrails North Wilson route which takes you to the CANYON OVERLOOK, not the SEDONA OVERLOOK which added about 3 miles.  So when I got to the turnoff for the Sedona overlook I didn’t even see it and followed to the right.  The Canyon overlook is beautiful as well so if you have the time, the water, and the inclination, check it out.  I will say though that the trail from the turn off is pretty flat and feels like it drags on forever (I’m sure partially due to my excitement to get there!).  However, if you just want to go to the Sedona lookout,  be watchful because one of the other reasons I missed  it is because where the fork in the trail is, you come up on a large downed tree on the left and the trail is to the right of it.  Keep your head up and look left.  The sign for Sedona lookout is there.  It’s not far to the lookout and boy is it worth it!  The views are amazing! All in all a great hike (if a bit longer than I expected). It was 65 degrees when I started and about 80 ish when I finished.  The gnats were annoying but the breeze picked up which helped. I only ran into 3 people the whole 5 1/2 hours. One was a fellow 6-Packer!  I forgot to ask the other two. 🙂

When I got to the parking lot around noon it was a zoo! No spots in the lot obviously but people parked forever on either side of 89A I’m assuming for Slide Rock and Oak Creek.  Have fun and be safe!! Tomorrow is Bear Mountain!