Doe Mountain: A short hike with panoramic views

Hikes in Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon and the Village of Oak Creek vary in length and difficulty, and more often than not the payoff comes in a grand snapshot of the surrounding area.

Doe Mountain easily provides one of the grandest of views of them all, and only at the cost of a short — but somewhat taxing — hike.

“It’s much easier [than the alternative hike, Bear Mountain], and pretty,” said Martha Hierholzer, a former Camp Verde resident who was visiting from Orlando, Fla. “Every hike here is scenic. You can definitely take kids on this one.”

The Doe Mountain trailhead, Trail 60, is at the foot of the parking lot. The trail is mostly dirt with a few shaded areas, and only one-tenth of a mile in, hikers come across two trail crossings with the Aerie Trail.
Doe Mountain is a relatively short hike, at 0.7 miles in one direction, which zig zags up the side of the red cliff. Getting close to the tall red rock face before a right-hand turn signals hikers that they are near the top.
Continuing past the crossings and up some flat rock and rock steps the true trail begins. It measures just 0.7 miles in each direction, but is tough on the legs.

The path ranges between rocky terrain and somewhat steep rock, constantly zig-zagging up the face of the mountain. In the afternoon, hikers are exposed to the sun practically the entire way up, and at the top as well. Sun protection and plenty of water are necessary.

There are some higher step-ups along the way, and a steady foot is key while getting across the parts that are more like a rock’s edge than a hiking trail. It is recommended to bring along a hiking stick or pole, and wear reliable footwear.

Despite the short distance, the technicality and steepness still make it a roughly 20-minute trek. While hiking east, getting close to a large red cliff wall just before a right-handed switchback signals that the summit is near.

After having turned left once more and heading east again, there are a pair of somewhat narrow chutes flanked by rock that must be overcome.

Past the chutes is the summit, which is completely flat but also relatively unshaded. Trails that guide hikers around the wide-open area are still clearly marked.

The view from any point at the summit stretches for miles. From the south, the light green roofs of buildings
at Sedona Red Rock High School are visible. In view toward the east are some homes and the area where Capitol Butte and Devil’s Bridge are.

To the north is Bear Mountain, and to the northwest is a huge valley with little in between, and where Seven Canyons is located. To the west, part of State Route 89A toward Cottonwood is visible, as well.

“The views are just amazing,” Jason Megraw, a San Diego, Calif., resident, said.

Most of the terrain around the edges are flat rock, so it would not be surprising to come across snakes, scorpions or other critters. Winds in the afternoon can gust with some strength, so beware when close to the edges around the summit, as the drop offs are treacherous.

In case of emergency, there is cellphone service throughout the hike and at the top.

Getting There

The most direct route to the Doe Mountain and Bear Mountain trailhead parking lot is from SR 89A in West Sedona. Head north on Dry Creek Road about 3 miles until it runs into a stop sign where the only option is to turn right or left.
Early on, the trail intersects with the Aerie Trail, which goes around the mountain and through the surrounding area, early on.
Go left onto Boynton Canyon Road and about 1.7 miles until reaching another stop sign. Go left again onto Boynton Pass Road and 0.4 miles down the road will be the Fay Canyon trailhead parking lot. Continue straight about another 0.7 miles, and the parking lot is on the left, marked as the Doe Mountain and Bear Mountain trailhead parking lot.

A valid Red Rock pass is required to park. Daily passes are $5, weekly passes are $15 and annual passes are $20.

Bear Mountain

Across from Doe Mountain is the longer, more technical and more challenging Bear Mountain trail. Bear Mountain is 2.7 miles. The hike is steeper with a lot of step-ups, especially during the first 1.25 miles, Megraw said.

“I’ve done longer hikes that were less strenuous,” Megraw said.

There is a false summit, but hikers will know they have arrived at the real end when they find rock-supported sign that reads “End of trail.” All in all, it is a hike that should be done during the cooler hours of the day.

“It’s not for the lighthearted,” Hierholzer said.