Huckaby Trail
Split status — the north end is closed
Huckaby is not explicitly named in the Pocket Fire closure order, but its northern (Midgley Bridge) trailhead is at the same location as the Wilson Mountain trailhead, which is explicitly closed, and sits inside the closure boundary along SR 89A.
The southern (Schnebly Hill) trailhead is well outside the boundary.
So a north-to-south traverse is not currently viable. This is our reading of the order's boundary description rather than a Forest Service statement about this trail — confirm on (928) 203-2900 before planning a through-hike.
A creekside traverse rather than a summit hike — 2.97 miles one way between the Schnebly Hill and Midgley Bridge trailheads, with only 170 feet of gain but a "moderately strenuous" rating from the Forest Service, which tells you the footing does the work rather than the climbing.
It crosses Oak Creek and gives you views up at the formations rather than down from them.
Status is split right now: the southern trailhead is open, the northern one is inside the closure area. See above.
The facts
- Open right now?
- Split — south (Schnebly Hill) open, north (Midgley Bridge) closed
- Forest Service trail
- Huckaby Trail No. 161
- Distance
- 2.97 miles one way
- Elevation gain
- 170 ft
- Difficulty (USFS)
- Moderately strenuous (USFS)
- Time needed
- About 1.5 hours one way
- Trailhead elevation
- 4,471 ft
- Pass required
- Red Rock Pass required to park at the trailhead
- Sedona Shuttle
- Not served
- Parking
- Schnebly Hill Road (south) or Midgley Bridge (north). Capacity not published.
- Restrooms
- Not documented
- Shade
- Partial near the creek
Getting there
Get directions →A different kind of Sedona hike
Most Sedona trails put you on top of red rock. Huckaby puts you beside water, looking up at it — it drops toward Oak Creek and follows it, with a crossing that can be wet depending on flow.
The 170-foot gain figure undersells the effort. The Forest Service rates it "moderately strenuous" because of uneven, rocky footing and the drop down to the creek and back up, not because of sustained climbing.
It's a good choice in warmer weather thanks to partial shade near the creek — though in monsoon season, a trail that follows a creek below a burn scar deserves a look at the forecast first.
The classic outing is a point-to-point with two cars. That isn't currently possible with the north trailhead closed, so treat it as an out-and-back from Schnebly Hill for now.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Huckaby Trail open?
Partly. The southern Schnebly Hill trailhead is outside the closure area; the northern Midgley Bridge trailhead is inside it, at the same spot as the explicitly-closed Wilson Mountain trailhead. A through-hike isn't currently viable.
How hard is Huckaby?
Rated moderately strenuous despite only 170 feet of gain — the rating reflects rocky, uneven footing and the descent to Oak Creek rather than sustained climbing.
Will I have to cross the creek?
The trail crosses Oak Creek, and how wet that gets depends on flow. Expect wet feet in higher water.
Do I need a Red Rock Pass?
Yes — the Forest Service states a pass is required to park at the trailhead.
Facts on this page last verified July 28, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.