Tag: North Wilson Mountain Trail

Fall Color in Oak Creek Canyon

It’s early November and the aspen leaves have fallen across the higher elevations of northern Arizona. But autumn colors are not done–they have just shifted to lower elevations.

Tree on the side of the road in Oak Creek Canyon.
Tree on the side of the road in Oak Creek Canyon.

Earlier this week we decided to hike the North Wilson Mountain Trail in Oak Creek Canyon. It starts at ~1450 m and we turned around at ~1910 m at the intersection with the main Wilson Mountain Trail. The best autumn colors were found early in the hike where the trail is in a north-facing drainage. In this section we encountered primarily maple trees but we also found oak, sumac, and Arizona Ash as well as a few wildflowers.

Red sumac leaves on the North Wilson Mountain trail.
Red sumac leaves on the North Wilson Mountain trail.
Maple tree in noontime sun.
Maple tree in noontime sun.
Evidence of the Brins Fire (2006) is still present on this hillside but young maple trees are taking root here.
Evidence of the Brins Fire (2006) is still present on this hillside but young maple trees are taking root here.

This part of Oak Creek Canyon was burned in the 2006 Brins Fire and there are reminders of this wildfire all along the trail. But fire also brings new growth and the maples appear to be thriving in this location.

Late-season violets can still be found along the trail.
Late-season violets can still be found along the trail.
Arizona ash tree on the North Wilson Mountain trail.
Arizona ash tree on the North Wilson Mountain trail.
Our turnaround spot near the intersection of Wilson and North Wilson trails provides sweeping views of the lower sections of Oak Creek Canyon.
Our turnaround spot near the intersection of Wilson and North Wilson trails provides sweeping views of the lower sections of Oak Creek Canyon.
Maples displaying lots of color.
Maples displaying lots of color.
A view across Oak Creek Canyon to the climbing area known as The Waterfall.
A view across Oak Creek Canyon to the climbing area known as The Waterfall.
From the trailhead parking lot with a view of color on the west face of Oak Creek Canyon--and some interesting clouds above.
From the trailhead parking lot with a view of color on the west face of Oak Creek Canyon–and some interesting clouds above.
Autumn color in Oak Creek Canyon.
Autumn color in Oak Creek Canyon.

From our turnaround spot near the junction of North Wilson and Wilson trails we had grand views of the lower portions of Oak Creek and the Red Rock country of Sedona.

These ravens--and a western bluebird(?)--were happy to let me take their photograph.
These ravens–and a western bluebird(?)–were happy to let me take their photograph.

Colorful day!

Edit: formatting issues