Secret Canyon (2BIV)

Location: Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness (Coconino National Forest)
Rating: Basic Canyoneering 2B IV-V
Length: 10-18 hours
Mileage: 10 miles
Longest Rappel: None (but bring webbing and a 50ft rope just in case)
Start: Secret Mountain Trailhead (upper)
End: Secret Canyon Trailhead (lower)
Permits: None (Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness Pass to enter the park)
Wet Suit: Not needed
Shuttle: Yes

Overview: Secret Canyon is approximately 10 miles long with some awesome narrows, pools, lush vegetation, and more. Bring a short length of webbing or rope to aid in some down climbs if there are those in your group who are less experienced. Setting up the shuttle is a kind of a pain since it’s so far out of the way. It’ll take a little over 150 miles to set up the shuttle if you start from Flagstaff. Making this trip in two days is recommended. Either that, or it’s a very long one-day trip, and you’ll need to really hump it and still plan on retrieving your shuttle the next day. Camping is permitted only in designated areas since this canyon lies in a national forest and state park. Several campsites are located at the lower end of the Secrete Canyon. If you’re young and spry, it’s possible to complete the canyon in one day. You can always explore the lower half of Secret Canyon to avoid a shuttle setup.

Approach: A shuttle needs to be set up at the end. Form Flagstaff, head south on I-17 to Hwy 89A. Head to Sedona. From Sedona, take Dry Creek Rd north. Dry Creek Rd is on the east end of Sedona. Drive north 2 miles north to Forest service Rd #152 and turn right. Drive another 3.4 miles to the Secret Canyon Trailhead on the left. Leave a car here.

Head back to Flagstaff and west on Hwy 40. Just west of Flagstaff, exit Woody Mountain Rd (service rd #231) and head south. After 18 miles, you’ll cross West Fork of Oak Creek. Continue south. After two more miles, you’ll come to a junction where you head right on Fr #231A. Drive north 3.1 miles to Fr #538 and then head south. Keep right at two intersections. At the 3rd intersection, head left (East) along Fr #539 2.7 miles and park at the Secret Mountian Trailhead. Be careful of your descent. It’s steep and rugged terrain.

Completing the Canyon: Secret Canyon is a dry canyon, but you may cross a pool or two toward the end. There are a few good scrambles. An area known as Kens Log is about a 12' drop. If the log is there, you may use the log to downclimb; else, you'll need to look for another option. There are opportunities for wadding or swimming in pools, but most water travel may be avoided. Journey 10 miles to your shuttle.