My FAVORITE hike in Sedona....But everyone misses the best part!

My FAVORITE hike in Sedona....But everyone misses the best part!

Ah, Sedona. If you watch this channel, you have seen a bunch of hikes around there. My Gaia looks like a spiderweb up there. We've been all over Sedona. But one of our first hikes remains my favorite: West Fork.

The West Fork starts at the Call of the Canyon Trailhead, just north of Sedona. It's popular. It's well known. Pretty much everyone who asks what they should hike in Sedona is unnundated with responses of "West Fork/Call of the Canyon."

As such, it attracts crowds. Lots of crowds. If you think you're going to go hike West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon at noon, good luck. You're most likely going to be met with a full parking lot.

If you are lucky (or early) enough to get a parking spot, you'll probably go in a mile. Or three. Most people get to the 'end of trail' sign and call it a day.

That's unfortunate. Because JUST beyond the 'end of the maintained trail' sign is the best part. The canyon narrows up. Sure, you have to get your feet wet, but it's worth it. The crowds die off, and you get to experience the best parts of the cayon...usually with few, if any, people.

Oh...and you can backpack it. We backpack the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon every year. Because we're lucky enough to have it close to home, and know it well. Which is even more special when you realize that people travel from all over the world to see this place. And it's our back yard.

So if you're in Sedona and looking for those secret places, this one is hidden right in front of you. One of the most popular places in the Red Rock Wilderness, with some of the most incredible, hidden secrets out there. West Fork/Call of the Canyon can't be beat. It's been our favorite hike in the area for years, and I don't see that changing anytime soon.

Oh....And I should mention....No. I won't tell you were our campsite is. Sorry, but not really sorry. We found it. You're going to have to do the same on your own. If you happen to stumble upon it, that's awesome. But if not, there are plenty of other great sites out there for you.

Music by Epidemic Sound:

La Fille Sans Larmes - Lo Mimieux
Cain - Lo Mimieux
A Mountain Beneath - Lama House
Keep the Home Fire Burnin' - Bo the Drifter
We Will All be Saved by Rock and Roll - Roy Williams

Morgan Freeman Impersonator - Available on Fiverr:

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:

Canon 35 mm f1.8 lens

Weebil S gimbal for your DSLR:

[rcgrizz]

Your composition, framing, editing, and “Morgan Freeman” impersonation put this video over the top. Next level, Jerry!

[franktitoni]

Hey Jerry, I like that you exist! Thanks for the calm wisdom!

[johns]

Another great video…terrific cinematography.

[dixielambrecht]

You just keep getting better and better. Absolutely awesome video. And just right music choices. You 2 are my favorite couple on YouTube. Perfect balance of humor and awesome scenery.

[Desertsnowoffwego]

I'm not sure if I tune into your Channel for Humor, Adventure, or Superlative Photography, they are all great! But if I had to narrow it down, I think it would be the So glad to see Tina, your fellow hiker and humorist, out there with you after her covid ordeal!! Keep it going you two, I love it! And I'm sure others do too!

[janetharp]

Happy, happy, happy is me to see a recent video of my fave AZ hikers! Tina is back! I want you to know I live vicariously through your videos because you go where I can’t go. Hold on while I fill a basin with ice and water to soak my feet while watching again and in some small way identify with your icy treks through freezing water. Never mind…I’ll just skip to the Mexican food! You guys are THE best!

[garlandcampbell]

Yay, Tina back for the hardcore hikes, even if it was difficult for her. Really, really excellent camera work Jerry. Freaking May.

[patrickkelly]

Thanks for sharing! You do a great job of blending high quality videography with homespun humor and personality. Glad to see Tina is back on the trail!

[lynnnorthrup]

That was a really good video! Jerry, your camera work is getting better. Some great shots. Glad to see Tina back out there, she’s a real sport! You told a good story, even if it was COLD! 😀😀😀😀😀👍👍👍👍👍

[bestcongressmoneycanbuy]

I particularly liked that "Shawshank" narration at the end. Sounded like Red describing how Tina was enjoying her Mexican food.

[cathymoore]

Excellent video Jerry. Highlighting the natural beauty & sharing the experience. Cold & all. Loved it! Good to see Tina. Great job girl !!

[splunk]

Another amazing suggestion from Jerry. Just did this hike from 1 pm (parking lot full but found a spot .4 miles away so not bad). As Jerry says, the best part is just through the water where everyone else turns around. Dont have to go far in to have some amazing views (.5 miles through water). So worth it.

[abcnews]

I am in love with your videos. I live in Virginia and the terrain here is very different. Your videos bring the beauty of Arizona / Utah to life. Each shot in your video and the selection of music is so artistic and top-notch. Almost, like it was done by National Geographic. Love the chemistry between the two of you. Wife an I will be visiting Sedona in April / May and while we are nowhere near as adventurous as you, we will do some short day hikes. Thanks for you videos. Don't stop. Please.

[morphamorpha]

That's my favorite Sedona hike too, and the first place I backpacked solo. I hiked there many times. In the spring, you can sometimes find naturalized asparagus growing near that ruin at the beginning. I always wanted to hike it from the top down, from where West Fork is crossed by a Forest Service road. Never met anyone who did it, but I heard you needed an inner tube for your pack. That was long before canyoneering was a thing. I hiked to a point where I would have had to swim and scramble over big boulders, but have gone no farther. Got caught in the canyon during a thunderstorm once. We hid under a little overhang while the walls ran with water and we could hear rocks falling down the cliffs sometimes. We did have a nearby spot we could climb up in case of flash flood. Such a beautiful, magical place. One of my favorite place to hike, period. I hope I can get back there someday. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[jjensen]

Great job on the vid. Plus you two make me smile and laugh - thanks for that as well as the scenery. Jack

[denis]

Writing this at age 30 demonstrates how much more I have to learn. Excellent video sir!

[racevanandros]

YOU ARE AN ADORABLE COUPLE SURROUNDED BY BEAUTY. THANK YOU. 👍💛😎

[oldboater]

Another great video, plus I’ve never commented on your music chooses but you pick some great music. Keep the videos coming.

[robhebbs]

I have lived in phoenix to long , my blood is so thin, just watching your hike made me cold. Enjoyed it

[bobdurna]

Great seeing Tina back at it…another fine video. Watching your earlier videos motivated me to do the hike last May… enjoyed it so much I went back in the fall and got 4 miles up the fork. You kids inspire me….. hiked Fisher Towers and this past week Chiricahua National Monument because of your work. Thanks for doing this.