This popular hike ascends beautiful Boynton Canyon accompanied by great views of the red rock walls lining the canyon. The hike ends near the head of a dramatic box canyon beneath the east side of Bear Mountain. Side trips include a visit to the Boynton Vortex and the Subway Cave.
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Map France French Alps Chamonix Galleries About About Our Site Safety Note Contact Us HomeDestinationsArizonaArizona's Red Rock CountrySedonaBoynton Canyon Boynton Canyon Distance: 6.9 - 7.4 miles Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, Coconino National Forest, near Sedona in Arizona's Red Rock CountryBy: Diane Greer IntroPhotosMaps Rugged crags rising above the canyon to the northwest This popular hike ascends beautiful Boynton Canyon accompanied by great views of the red rock walls lining the canyon. The hike ends near the head of a dramatic box canyon beneath the east side of Bear Mountain. Side trips include a visit to the Boynton Vortex and the Subway Cave. Distance: 6.9 - 7.4 miles (RT)Elevation: 4,515-ft. at TrailheadMaximum elevation - 5,235-ft.Elevation Gain: 720-ft.Difficulty: moderateBasecamp: SedonaRegion: Arizona's Red Rock Country Trail Description - Boynton Canyon Note: This trail is also good for a short walk. Simply hike as far as time and energy permit up the beautiful canyon and then return to the trailhead. The Boynton Canyon trail is located at the northwest end of the trailhead parking area across from the bathroom. (See trailhead directions below.) The day starts with a brief stint along the Deadman’s Pass trail, which heads northeast, accompanied by fine views of Mescal Mountain and the west wall of Boynton Canyon. Turn around for views of Bear Mountain rising above Fay Canyon to the west. Reach a trail junction at 0.1 miles and turn left (northwest) onto the Boynton Canyon Trail. The Deadman’s Pass trail continues straight ahead. At 0.3 miles reach the junction with the Boynton Vista Trail that climbs to the Boynton Vortex. The detour to the Vista/Vortex is well worth the time and effort. The overlook at the vortex enjoys terrific views of the surrounding area. Some believe that vortexes radiate energy and visit the sites to meditate, practice yoga or perform rituals. Please be respectful of others when visiting this site. To visit Boynton Vortex turn right at the junction onto the Vista Trail. The path ascends on moderate grades, briefly levels out and then makes a short, moderately steep climb to the vortex situated atop a bench beneath the Kachina Women, a prominent red rock spire, at 0.55 miles. Here, great views extend west to Bear Mountain rising above Fay Canyon and the red rock formations rimming the west side of Boynton Canyon. To the northeast are views of the formations rising around Deadman’s Pass and beyond. Mescal Mountain rises to the southeast while the Enchantment Resort is seem along the floor of Boynton Canyon. When you are done visiting the Boynton Vista/Vortex retrace your steps to the junction at 0.8 mile and turn right (north) to continue up Boynton Canyon. The trail now ascends on easy grades along the east side of the canyon above Enchantment Resort, traveling through manzanita, scrub oak and agave. Try to ignore the views of the resort and instead focus on the magnificent red rock walls rimming both side of the canyon. After reaching a high point at 1.3 miles the trail plateaus and then descends on easy grades toward the canyon floor. Along the way enjoy fine views of the canyon’s red rock walls and the rugged crags towering above the Canyon to the northwest. At 1.5 miles look for a distinctive cave along the canyon’s east wall that contains a Sinaqua ruin. (Binoculars or a zoom lens on a camera will help you see the ruin.) A short distance beyond you might be able to spot a second, smaller ruin in a cave. The roof of this cave is stained with soot from ancient fires. At 1.7 reach a junction where trails from the resort connect with the Boynton Canyon trail. Continue straight ahead on the Boynton Trail. A tenth of a mile beyond the path crosses the wash to the west side of the canyon. The trail now ascends on easy grades up the ...