Social climber: Fay Canyon and Doe Mtn.

The Fay Canyon trail, hiked end to end is, about a mile long and flat and wide enough to drive a jeep through without much trouble. However, as with many of the trails in this region, what recommends it are its "social" trails - unmaintained tracks that hikers have created in a mad scramble to get to interesting places.  In the case of Fay Canyon, these places are nothing short of spectacular. 

First social trail I climbed: up the canyon wall near the mouth, looking out

Views of the canyon 

Looking out again

The trail I was most interested to find was described to me as a trail well-marked with cairns, about 0.6 miles from the trailhead, leading to a stone arch.  If you'll pardon the overexposure, this is what that looks like...apparently. 

The way up

Arriving at the arch. From here you can see that the arch really is free-standing from the clif face.

Views out of the arch

And up!

Best vantage for a sketch I think! 

This marks the beginning of social trail #3 - up to the back of the box

Views out of the canyon

Views up the canyon 

Top of the box

Back down the canyon via the wash. This return route definitely has cool shade to recommend it! 

Hike 2: Doe Mtn

View of nearby Bear Mtn.

Lovely little cairn marking the end of the end of the maintained trail. From here a maze of social trails covers the top of the mountain. 

The view from the top looking out toward Sedona.