Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
You might be thinking the West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon is not dangerous at all. I would agree, if by West Fork you mean, the 3+ miles of maintained trail from the parking lot to the water, then you are correct. It's not dangerous. It's a family friendly hike. Of course, if you have backpacked the additional 3 or 4 miles of canyon needed to find one of the very few spots suitable to pitch a tent, then you know it can be a much more challenging adventure. Still not very dangerous, if you ask me.
However....most people don't know that the West Fork trail continues through a overgrown canyon covering 14 miles from end to end. Having backpacked into the canyon around 7 miles many times, I have always wondered what the other 7 miles of canyon looked liked. This weekend, I found out. It's one of the of the most difficult (and dangerous) "hiking" trails I've done so far. I realize that conditions can vary, but in these conditions... its one and done for me.
Guitar by @KfirOchaion
You might be thinking the West Fork Trail in Oak Creek Canyon is not dangerous at all. I would agree, if by West Fork you mean, the 3+ miles of maintained trail from the parking lot to the water, then you are correct. It's not dangerous. It's a family friendly hike. Of course, if you have backpacked the additional 3 or 4 miles of canyon needed to find one of the very few spots suitable to pitch a tent, then you know it can be a much more challenging adventure. Still not very dangerous, if you ask me.
However....most people don't know that the West Fork trail continues through a overgrown canyon covering 14 miles from end to end. Having backpacked into the canyon around 7 miles many times, I have always wondered what the other 7 miles of canyon looked liked. This weekend, I found out. It's one of the of the most difficult (and dangerous) "hiking" trails I've done so far. I realize that conditions can vary, but in these conditions... its one and done for me.
Guitar by @KfirOchaion
