Red Rock Secret Mountain Trek
Guided Backpacking Trips
3 Days, 2 Nights 23MI / 39KM
Trip Highlights
Available from September 1st through February 28, our Red Rock Secret Mountain Backpacking Tour is our signature Sedona backpacking trip and justifiably so! It takes us through multiple, remote canyons and over high ridges with incredible vistas as we explore the heart of Sedona’s Red Rock Canyon Country and designated wilderness. We’ll hike in the shadows of Lost Wilson, Maroon, and Secret Mountains (all iconic Sedona peaks), and along cliffs that tower 1000+ feet above us. Amongst the serenity of this trek, a highlight is the chance to see Vultee Arch, a stunning natural arch, as an optional side hike on Day 1 before we head deeper into the canyon country.
On this trip, you’ll learn about the history of the indigenous tribes as well as some of the more mysterious history in this secret wilderness. To say this trip inspires wonder and appreciation for nature would be an understatement – it is an adventurous journey into a stunning, pristine landscape that you’ll never forget.
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Remote Wilderness
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Unique Arch
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Soaring Sandstone Cliffs
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Stunning Night Skies
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Deep Canyons
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Iconic Red Rock Landscapes
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Guides Choice Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
3 Days, 2 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
Up to 8.5 mi -
Group Size
1-6 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This is a backcountry hike so we’re trekking with multi-day backpacks. Some of the days do include longer hiking distances of up to 8.5 miles. However with lesser daily elevation changes, moderate terrain, and limited heights exposure, this trip earns a solid level 3 difficulty rating.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Shuttle to the trailhead: 30-45 minutes
Hiking Mileage: 8 miles plus optional day hike
Elevation Gain: 1150 feet
Elevation Loss: 550 feet
This multi-day Sedona hiking adventure begins on a quintessential Sedona trail that provides some of the best panoramic views of the iconic Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness. After several miles of single track hiking from the trailhead, we’ll traverse a short section of a remote 4×4 road with great views of the backside of Thunder Mountain and Brins Mesa. Our route draws us to the base of Lost Wilson Mountain, behind which lies Vultee Arch and the start of Dry Creek canyon for night 1 camp. We have the option to take the 3.5 mile round trip journey to see Vultee Arch before heading towards camp. Our camp is nestled in a quiet canyon surrounded by Arizona Cypress Trees and towering rock pinnacles. Our first day ends with good food, restful evening, and the anticipation of things to come as we drift into a much-deserved sleep.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 825 feet
Elevation Loss: 600 feet
On Day 2, we’ll enjoy a relaxing morning and big breakfast, before breaking camp and hiking up a serene and lush canyon bottom with a wonderful high desert creekbed that sometimes is flowing from the northern runoff. This section can be relatively rugged with logs, rocky trails, and seasonal creek crossings. At the head of the valley we reach a new trail and enjoy amazing views in every direction as we descend into Secret Canyon, the longest and least explored drainage of this vast area. We soon find ourselves hiking in the welcome shade of tall Ponderosa pine trees. After another two or so miles we’ll pitch our tents in this remote canyon. There lies the opportunity to explore, without our packs, further into Secret Canyon if we want and enjoy another delicious dinner before settling in for the night.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 8.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 620 feet
Shuttle to Sedona: 30-45 minutes
On our final day we follow beautiful Secret Canyon out of the wilderness. The sheltered trail where we spent the evening before opens up and beautiful red rock buttes and spires greet us as we start to see more and more of Sedona town in the distance. We’ll pass by the east face of Maroon Mountain and eventually return to our starting point. A short drive takes us back to Sedona to your individual accommodations and the conclusion of our amazing 3 day, backcountry adventure!
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles and Microspike Crampons if necessary (in winter)
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Sedona, Arizona to the trailhead and back
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National Forest recreation passes
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
Tent Camping
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
Your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM the evening before your trip begins to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Sedona.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Sedona
ARIZONA SHUTTLE
Groome Transportation makes 13 dependable trips daily each direction between Phoenix and Sedona. The duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes. They pickup/drop off at Sky Harbor Airport and the Metro Center in Phoenix, and in Sedona they will drop you off and/or pick you up at your hotel for a small additional fee.
There is no shuttle service from Las Vegas to Sedona.
Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix and Harry Reid International Airportin Las Vegas have fantastic car rental facilities that are easily accessible and host a great variety of companies. We recommend checking Priceline.com as well for especially good deals.
The drive time from Phoenix to Sedona is approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. From Las Vegas it is approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Arizona Executive Transport offers private, reliable SUV service between Phoenix and Sedona. This option is best if you’re traveling in a group of 3 or 4. As Wildland Trekking guests, your one-way cost for up to 4 passengers is discounted. Simply type “Wildland Trekking Company” in the Discount Code Box at the bottom of the online registration page. The discount varies depending on the time of year. You can go to http://www.arizonaexecutivellc.com to make your reservations online.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s pick-up time during the pre-trip contact. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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Ai J
11 months agoA memory I’ll cherish forever!
This trip was truly unforgettable! Michael’s knowledge of geology, archaeology, Native American history, and wildlife photography made the journey so much more enriching. The delicious meals and the open, welcoming atmosphere he created for our group were highlights. He even made my birthday during the trip absolutely magical. I can’t recommend this experience enough and can’t wait to join him for his Grand Canyon adventure!
Patricia L
1 year agoA successful trip!!
100% recommend! This was my first time using Wildland Trecking and I would absolutely use them again!! Our guide was knowledgeable in every aspect and was able to lead our group through a successful trip!!
Aaron R
1 year agoThis was so amazing!!!
I am obsessed! This was an amazing experience and the only way I want to travel from now on! Great people, great food and great fun!
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