Wilson Mountain via North Wilson Trail in Coconino National Forest, AZ

Hike Wilson Mountain via North Wilson Trail Coconino National Forest, AZ

Class 1 7.9 miles 2500 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Apr 17, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Wilson Mountain via North Wilson Trail GPX Track

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There are two trails up Wilson Mountain, the Wilson Mountain Trail and the North Wilson Trail. The latter seemed steeper and had fewer people, so this hike was my pick. I later found out from a friend that this was likely the prettier of the two options. The North Wilson Trail ascends through a really pleasant canyon before switchbacking up to a bench on the east side of Mount Wilson. From here you get nice views of the peak's cliff face. Toward the southern end of the bench, the North Wilson Trail meets with the Wilson Mountain Trail and they join to ascend west up a couple more gradual switchbacks and up to the mostly flat, long summit area of Wilson Mountain. There's no trail to the summit of Wilson Mountain from the trail, so the last few hundred feet are an easy bushwhack. There were some great views from the summit. I backtracked oto the trail and continued to the southern side of Wilson Mountain via a trail, where there's an even nicer viewpoint than the summit down into Sedona. If you care to walk an additional three miles, you can get a view from the northern end (I didn't).

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Wilson Mountain
7122 ft
1402 rise

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Looking back toward the trailhead, Wilson Mountain on the upper right.
Looking back toward the trailhead, Wilson Mountain on the upper right.
You can outline the entire trail. Go up the canyon on the right, continue along the green bench on the left, and then back over to the right up to the Wilson Mountain summit.
You can outline the entire trail. Go up the canyon on the right, continue along the green bench on the left, and then back over to the right up to the Wilson Mountain summit.
Entering the canyon, Wilson Mountain seen through the trees.
Entering the canyon, Wilson Mountain seen through the trees.
Image 3 from gallery
The trail switchbacks a bunch after leaving the canyon.
The trail switchbacks a bunch after leaving the canyon.
Image 5 from gallery
Almost at the top of the switchbacks, looking back toward Wilson Mountain.
Almost at the top of the switchbacks, looking back toward Wilson Mountain.
After the switchbacks, flat hiking along the bench.
After the switchbacks, flat hiking along the bench.
Junction with the Wilson Mountain Trail. The trail goes to the right of the high point visible on the left.
Junction with the Wilson Mountain Trail. The trail goes to the right of the high point visible on the left.
More fairly flat hiking back across the bench.
More fairly flat hiking back across the bench.
Image 10 from gallery
Wilson Mountain official summit somewhere up to the right.
Wilson Mountain official summit somewhere up to the right.
Some minor bushwhacking to reach the Wilson Mountain summit.
Some minor bushwhacking to reach the Wilson Mountain summit.
Wilson Mountain summit looking west.
Wilson Mountain summit looking west.
Continuing along the Wilson Mountain Overlook Trail to get to the Sedona Viewpoint.
Continuing along the Wilson Mountain Overlook Trail to get to the Sedona Viewpoint.
Image 15 from gallery
Viewpoint.
Viewpoint.
Image 17 from gallery

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!