Thousands of people float past the bottom of the A.B. Young Trail every summer at Slide Rock without ever looking up. If they did, they would see the rim that this trail climbs, and the tiny lookout tower perched on top of it.
That gap between the crowded canyon floor and the empty rim above is the whole story. A.B. Young trades the cool water below for a hard climb and a view almost no one else bothers to earn.
What the A.B. Young Trail Is
The A.B. Young Trail climbs the west rim of Oak Creek Canyon near Bootlegger Campground north of Sedona, Arizona, rising about 2,000 feet over roughly 5 to 6 miles round trip to the East Pocket fire lookout. It is best known for a long series of more than 30 switchbacks cut into the canyon wall.
The trail began as a stock route for moving cattle to the rim, later improved by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Those crews built the switchbacks that still define the climb.
It is a steep, sustained ascent with little relief. The reward is a rim-top forest and an overlook that feels worlds away from the busy creek below.
The Creek Crossing and the Switchbacks
The A.B. Young Trail begins by crossing Oak Creek near Bootlegger Campground, which can be easy in low water and impassable during spring runoff or after storms. Once across, the trail climbs relentlessly through its famous switchbacks.
Check the water level before you commit, because the crossing is the gatekeeper. In high flow, the safe move is to choose a different trail entirely.
After the creek, the switchbacks begin almost immediately and do not let up. They are well graded but unshaded in long stretches, so heat is the real enemy on a summer afternoon.
Pace yourself and carry more water than feels necessary. The climb is steady work, and the exposure adds up quickly.
The View From the East Pocket Lookout
At the top, the A.B. Young Trail reaches the East Pocket fire lookout, where the rim opens to sweeping views down Oak Creek Canyon and across the red rock country toward Sedona, Arizona. The staffed lookout tower stands during fire season.
From the rim you look back down the canyon you just climbed out of, the perspective flipping from inside to above. It is a rare angle on a landscape most people only see from the bottom.
The forest up here is cooler and quieter than the canyon floor, a different world reached on foot. Few hikers make it, which is exactly the appeal.
This is a serious outing, more akin to West Fork Trail in commitment than to a roadside stop like Slide Rock State Park just down the canyon.
What This Means if You Are Moving to Sedona
A trail like A.B. Young captures what makes living in Oak Creek Canyon different from living in the heart of Sedona, Arizona. Here the landscape rises straight up around you, and the trails climb out of your backyard into national forest.
For buyers drawn to the canyon’s cooler air and creekside character, that immersion is the entire point. Inventory in the canyon is limited and special, which is part of why it holds value so well.
Angelo Davis, REALTOR® at RE/MAX Sedona, works with the small number of buyers who want canyon life specifically. They are not looking for a view of the rim. They want to wake up beneath it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the A.B. Young Trail in Sedona?
The A.B. Young Trail is strenuous, climbing about 2,000 feet over 5 to 6 miles round trip with more than 30 switchbacks and significant sun exposure. The steady ascent and lack of shade make it feel harder than the mileage alone suggests.
Where does the A.B. Young Trail start?
The A.B. Young Trail starts near Bootlegger Campground in Oak Creek Canyon, north of Sedona on State Route 89A. The hike begins by crossing Oak Creek, which can be difficult or impassable during high water.
What is at the top of the A.B. Young Trail?
At the top, the trail reaches the East Pocket fire lookout on the west rim of Oak Creek Canyon, with expansive views down the canyon toward Sedona, Arizona. The lookout tower is staffed during fire season.
Can you cross Oak Creek to start the A.B. Young Trail?
The Oak Creek crossing at the start of the A.B. Young Trail is straightforward in low water but can be dangerous or impassable during spring runoff and after storms. Always check the water level before attempting the hike.
Is the A.B. Young Trail crowded?
No, the A.B. Young Trail sees far fewer hikers than the popular spots on the Oak Creek Canyon floor, since it requires a creek crossing and a long climb. Those willing to make the effort often have the rim and the views nearly to themselves.
Some people visit Oak Creek Canyon. A few rearrange their lives to wake up inside it. Forward this to someone in that second group.
