A. B. Young Trail #100 Oak Creek Canyon

You find the trail 20 miles south of Flagstaff (10 miles north of Sedona) on paved roads in scenic Oak Creek Canyon. Drive into Oak Creek Canyon to Milepost 383.3. The trail starts directly across Oak Creek from Bootlegger Campground. After crossing the creek, a short climb will bring you onto an old road above the creek. The trailhead starts upslope on the west side of this road.

The trail is believed to have been built originally by C. S. (Bear) Howard in the 1880's and it was reconstructed in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corp and supervised by A. B. Young.

This trail starts out as a steep hike from Oak Creek to the rim of Oak Creek Canyon. From the Rim to East Pocket Tower, you travel 0.8 mile through Ponderosa Pine forest. The trail has over thirty switchbacks as it ascends the slope. Once you leave the tree line above Oak Creek, the trail goes through brush fields to just below the rim where trees are again growing.

Take any of the short paths from the campground down to Oak Creek and find a suitable place to “boulder hop” or wade the stream. Climb up to the wide trail which runs just above the web bank and locate the signed trailhead directly across from the campground. It immediately begins a moderately steep ascent and enters wilderness area. The shade of the creek area is quickly lost and nice views of the canyon and some interesting rock formations open up.

The trail climbs 1600 feet in 1.6 miles over the 33 switchbacks to the rim of Oak Creek Canyon. At this point, the trail enters the shade of ponderosa pine and heads west for 0.8 miles on a gradual ascent, ending at the East Pocket Knob fire lookout tower.

• Length: 2.4 miles (one way)

• Rating: Strenuous

• Uses: Hiking.

• Season: Year round

• Special: No horse trailer parking. Bicycles prohibited in the wilderness.