Wilson Mountain - Avoid the crowds while backpacking in Sedona, Arizona

Wilson Mountain - Avoid the crowds while backpacking in Sedona, Arizona

Sedona is popular. Very popular. If you want to see the well known spots, you will not be alone. But if you know your way around and aren't afraid to put in the work, you can find solitude. It just takes

We've hiked the North Wilson Mountain Trail before, but it was a complete white out at the top so we never saw the views. We knew we needed to go back.

So recently, we drove both trucks up to Sedona. We spotted my truck at the Midgley Bridge parking lot and took Tina's 4Runner to the Encinosa Picnic Area. From there, we took the North Wilson Mountain Trail to the summit. We set up camp at the Sedona Overlook, then hiked about 1.5 miles to the North Overlook. The North Overlook gives great views of Sterling Pass and Vultee Arch and is worth the extra miles.

This trip was tough. There is no water on the trail, so we had to bring all of ours with us. It's about 7.5 miles and 2,200 ft of elevation gain on North Wilson Mountain Trail to the summit, and a lot is full sun exposure. The humidity was especially brutal. But the campsite and views were worth it.

Day 2 we went down the Wilson Mountain Trail to Midgley Bridge to my truck. That is definitely the more well known of the two trails and, in my opinion, it has better views. But I feel it was worth it to drive the extra vehicle and get the full experience of the trail.

We saw only a handful of people over these two days. Once we set up camp, we didn't see anyone until we started our hike down. The Midgley Bridge parking lot is almost always full, but I think most people take the Huckaby Trail downstream under the bridge from there instead of heading up Wilson Mountain.

Then again, maybe they were just smarter than us and didn't want to take the fully sun exposed, steep trail to the summit in monsoon humidity...

Either way, this was a great hike and another one checked off the list. If you want great views, small crowds and a good challenge, try Wilson Mountain.

Music by Epidemic Sound:
Going Under - The Eastern Plain
We Are Giants - Silver Maple
Blues for Mark - Vendla
Deep Into Your Eyes - Johan Glossner
La Nata - Bassio
Lunar Glow - Ookean
Lay Me in the Ocean - Blood Red Sun
Escucha Mi Salsa - Son Habana
Can'y Let you Go - John Runefelt

If you click on the links below - and especially if you buy from these links - I'll get compensation. So that would be cool. No, I'm not sponsored by them, but I love the products.

Filmed on:

GoPro Hero 9 Black:

Canon EOS R:

Weebil S gimbal for your DSLR:

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[mikegrier]

Just now (Jan 2023) watching this video from the summer of 2021. Loved it, of course. The nearby campsite views were totally amazing. We live in the SE, so humidity is something we’re accustomed to. But…it still sucks. It saps you of any and all energy (along with your will to live 😂). You guys did well to persevere and it was indeed worth it.

[walkitoffarizona]

One of these days we must hike and go have Mexican!
Hiked Toms Thumb last weekend and when you get up in the valley on top it was covered in orange Mexican Poppy’s ! Beautiful! Thousands of butterflies! We will be up in Rimrock this weekend and heck might just hit El Patio !

[NorwayHikesTrails]

Nice scenery, great hike. Thank you for sharing and wishing you a lovely week.

[highhopesoutdoors]

Best video yet, better than "regular" tv by far

[AMorgan]

So enjoyable to watch, and thanks for the set list at the end.

[kathywebb]

Love your time lapse of that killer view! You folks are inspiring 🥰

[LiveHardxLoveHard]

Awesome video Jerry! Great videography as always, and loved your creative solution to the two-day pass problem. We had a blast doing Wilson mountain, but it was a lot easier for us because we were only carrying about 1/10 as much water as you guys! One tip for the next time you do it: when you walk across the plateau to the other overlook, if you continue about 100 yards off trail past the "end" of that trail there is a gorgeous canyon with some incredible Bryce-Canyon like hoodoos in it -- great place for a snack!

[JohnPaul-tsdq]

You two are the Bomb. Loved this video. 👍👍

[mrs.castillo]

You and Tina rock! Thanks for yet another great place to visit I wouldn't have known about. But after 3 months in Cancun I think I'll wait till October and no humidity in AZ for this hike.

[cathymoore]

Gotta love a challenging hike (humidity!!) and the reward of those views (& no crowds!)!! Great video. Thanks for sharing! Blue Lizard Sunscreen is my "go to" 🦎👍🌞

[davide]

Always fun to hike to your places after watching the videos. We went I. Vis the south trail this morning and ran into more mud and bp snow than I expected. The snow from Sedona overlook to north canyon overlook was pretty rough sledding but we did it. Pretty but definitely taxing with the conditions.

[sojournerbushcraft]

I enjoy your filming style, lots of cool ways to show the passing of time, great shots of the scenery and trail guidance. I primarily adventure out of Northern Nevada and California, lots of high desert, not much water equals lots of extra pack weight. Always worth it though. Thanks for sharing the bloopers also, gives flashbacks to making my videos, so many takes when you are already hot and tired. We appreciate your work though.

[johns]

Great as usual. The deer edit made me laugh out loud. Also….very stylish food shots! 👌🏼 Putting this one on my “Fall List”. Should be some nice color up there. 🍁🍂

[HandbagswithHeather]

Another to add to the list! Thanks guys 😊

[MattKester]

I think we were straight across the way from you on S— Hill last Weeknd... it was miserably humid that night... and then there were the ass-clowns playing techno... didn't get a lot of sleep that night!

[HikingEngineer]

you guys need a national parks pass that would cover Sedona too! With everywhere you go you would save so much money!

[saltydawg]

Someplace I’ve never been with absolutely amazing views I will put this one on the list. Good to see Tina was on her medication this video no F bombs she didn’t even fly the bird!!! I’m pretty sure I saw her laugh and smile… What the hell.

[TheNotLostNomad]

Man that humidity will drain you...that’s how it is here in Texas most of the time. Great video and edit...the extra effects and effort are really paying off. I still watch your videos and continue to be impressed with your storytelling ability...loved it!

[johneason]

Loved you video, nice hike and trail beautiful. I was in the Catalina, so in July this year. It was 80f with 95% humidity in the mornings. It was a brutal monsoon Season. I hiked Mt Lemmon, took 5 litres of water, drank every drop getting to the top. Luckily there is a fantastic spring at the top.
Thanks 😊

[garyives]

Red Osprey Talon pack with 15lbs of discs won't alloy me back :( That looks amazing