Slim Shady Trail, AZ

Overview
This south Sedona area trail connects the Village of Oak Creek (VOC) to the Templeton trail at the HT Trail junction. It travels between the SR-179 on the east, and the Transept on the west, gradually ascending to Yavapai Vista, then descending. Frequently used by bicyclists who stay in, or rent their bikes in the VOC, though I saw only one bike vs. half a dozen hikers the summer Saturday morning I hiked it for this description. I expect more traffic during cooler weather.


Hike
From the south, Slim Shady starts at the north end of the paved sidewalk on the west side of 179 in the VOC. It can also be accessed directly across 179 from the Bell Rock Vista sign (entrance to the Red Rock fee parking area south of Bell Rock) or through the Red Agave Resort off Canyon Circle Drive (be courteous to guests, walk your bike if riding.) After crossing over a drainage culvert, the trail heads off 179 and northwest into a wash. After about 200 yards you meet the junction that goes to Canyon Circle Drive, then another 300 yards is the south junction of the Made in the Shade trail. Continuing to climb slightly, the trail undulates across washes as it makes its way north through typical Sedona vegetation including juniper, scrub oak, manzanita, yucca, prickly pear, and catclaw. You might spot the occasional cottontail, javelina or coyote. Good views of Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte pop up along the way.After another seven-tenths of a mile, you come to the north end of the Made in the Shade trail. The trail keeps working its way up, paralleling SR-179. Three-tenths more brings the junction of the Coconino trail, then another tenth to the Hiline junction and Yavapai Vista, a large slickrock area with terrific views of Bell Rock, Courthouse Butte, Lee Mountain, and Twin Buttes, and Capitol Butte. At the north end of the slickrock, the Slim Shady meets the Yavapai trail at about 1.5 miles in and is the highest trail elevation. Begin descending to the north, and keep an eye backward for a good view of Bunny Ears in the gap between Courthouse and Lee Mountain. Shortly you pass the junction of the Kaibab trail (Sedona version) and then descend into a large wash, which the trail follows for about a third of a mile. Lots of rock ramp improvements have been made along the way to facilitate bicycle traffic. The trail eventually leaves the wash and starts heading northwest across more level terrain. There is one tricky spot for navigation about 2.1 miles in on a small patch of slickrock where the white paint marker appears wrong (I've headed down that wash 5 yards or so both times I've hiked this trail.) The trail is up and to the left. The trail begins descending again, and you get a good view of Cathedral Rock. After a couple of switchbacks, it soon ends at the Templeton Trail. Continuing straight would put you northbound on the HT Trail.

2017-07-25 HAZardous