We are DELIGHTED to announce that the 2025 – 2026 Trail Crew Season for Turkey Creek (Phase 2) is complete! 

There was an incredible amount of work done by the Red Rock Ranger District’s Forest Service Trail Team and a slew of volunteers from several organizations.

Read on below for the full update!

Pedal Up – ~0.25 mile – Soft Opened April 17th, 2026 and Completed early May, 2026

New construction of a bicycle-optimized climbing route connecting Longshot via Pony Up to Upside Dawn just east of the Upside Dawn/Lion King/Hyena intersection. Designed with sustainable grades and rolling sightlines, the trail offers a purpose-built ascent that protects fall-line terrain from further degradation. Not recommended for equestrians, as it accesses a portion of Upside Dawn not designed or managed for horse use.

High Noon – ~0.25 mile – Completed April 9th, 2026

High Noon is a small trail with a big job. At just under a quarter mile, it connects Hyena, Carousel, and Giddyup and helps this area function like a true system for the full mix of users. It makes travel feel more intuitive, unlocks new loop options, and helps disperse use by giving people more than one way to move through the landscape.

Even though it is a connector, it still feels distinctly Sedona. A couple slickrock segments and mild exposure add interest in both directions and make it a trail people will remember, not just pass through. High Noon also ties into a future summit access route to School Bell that will be designated hike only because the terrain is very steep. Due to the off camber slickrock the trail accesses, High Noon is not recommended for equestrian use.

Hyena – 0.9 miles. Completed March 13, 2026

Hyena is a newly constructed Black trail that flows across a slickrock bench and side slope. Designed for durability and long-term use, it offers fun, scenic riding and hiking and strengthens overall system connectivity. 

Rodeo – 0.34 mi | -203’. Completed March 11th, 2026.

Rodeo Trail is a short but sweet, bike-optimized directional descent that packs a lot into a compact line. Just 0.34 miles long with 203 feet of elevation loss, it features steeper grades, large-radius corners, a few jumps, select tech moves, and excellent slickrock features.

Rodeo provides a grand-finale descent for riders heading northbound on Third Rock Trail, finishing directly onto Del Sol Trail. 

Open to hikers and downhill bike traffic; due to bike-optimized design and higher downhill speeds, hikers and uphill riders are encouraged to stay on Third Rock Trail to Del Sol.

Third Rock – (S → N): 1.8 mi | +259’ | -207’. Completed January 15th, 2026.

Third Rock is to Del Sol as Made in the Shade is to Slim Shady. Third Rock is newly constructed solid Blue/Black Trail with incredible views and thoughful features.

Third Rock runs on a higher bench above Del Sol, stacking bigger views with that same satisfying rhythm. Expect flowy corners, slickrock features, and punchier tech that gradually ramps up as you go, with a few short cruxy bits that will keep you honest. 

Lion King – 0.75 miles. Opened March 13, 2026

Lion King is an existing up and down traverse followed by a steep, technical descent that was enhanced through trail adoption and strategic reroutes. Inspired by the back side of Hiline, it offers a bold, high-consequence experience built to last.

Longshot (formerly Turkey Creek Alt.) – ~1.1 mile. Opened March 27th, 2026

An intermediate connector off the Turkey Creek Trail that enhances network connectivity and unlocks new slickrock riding and hiking opportunities. The project adopts an existing user-created route and constructs a new segment to shift use onto more resilient terrain, routing away from archaeological sites and sensitive soils. These improvements increase sustainability while elevating the overall trail experience.

Pony Up – ~0.25 mile – Opened April 9th, 2026

Adoption of an existing route that provides a direct connection from Longshot to the Upside Dawn–Lion King–Hyena junction. This connector formalizes a heavily used line, improving wayfinding and network cohesion while steering use onto a maintainable, sustainable tread.

Giddy Up – ~0.5 mile – Opened April 9th, 2026

User-created trail adoption with targeted realignments to improve sustainability and flow. Giddy Up links Turkey Creek/Longshot to Del Sol through the saddle between Carousel and Napoleon’s Tomb, consolidating social routes into a single durable alignment. The connection expands access to slickrock terrain while reducing impacts to surrounding soils and vegetation.

Carousel – ~0.5 miles 

Carousel is a short loop around a slickrock landmark known locally as School Bell, just northeast of Napoleon’s Tomb. What makes it special is how naturally durable it is. The route is almost entirely rock with only a few small dirt segments, which means it can handle use with very little impact when people stay on trail.

Because of that, the work here is less about heavy construction and more about smart stewardship. Brushing, cleanup, and making the route clear and intuitive helps protect the surrounding landscape while creating a great experience for hikers and riders. Carousel is mostly approachable, but it includes one notably exposed, off camber cross slope section that will get people’s attention and encourages thoughtful, courteous travel.

Due to the off camber slickrock the trail accesses, Carousel is not recommended for equestrian use.

The AZ Converservation Crew and Channel Designs started the restoration work in Turkey Creek in April.

The restoration work includes the Longshot, Giddy Up, Hyena, High Noon and Del Sol vicinity.

Channel Designs has been doing work related to the Oak Creek Watershed Restoration Action Plan. Learn from Kate Day USFS about the importance of the Oak Creek Watershed and Why this work is important and

Read more about What restoration work is occuring and Where it is happening.

Please see below: newly constructed trails are in red, and previously constructed/system trails are in purple.

The Upside Dawn Progress will continue – 4.1 miles (prior names: Verde Ascent – 0.75 miles / Skidmark Scanner – 1.2 miles / Upside Dawn – 1.2 miles / Upside Dawn Beyond – 1.4 miles will all be named Upside Dawn – 4.1 total miles).

ACE crews focused on this trail from mid-January to the end of April. ACE crews and the Red Rock Trail Crew tackled the beginning of Upside Dawn (from the Lion King junction), and the terrain has multiple wash crossings, making the build labor intensive. The 1st volunteer workday occured on 2/27/26, establishing ~1/4 miles of tread on the other end. Approximately 2 miles are completed and another 1.5 miles are cut in. Pedal Up was opened early May, so the portion from Pedal Up to the Saddle and in the other direction to Witches social trail is accessible; however, the trail will not open until next season.

Upside Dawn is new construction that offers exposed slickrock with dramatic views, echoing the iconic feel of Hogs and Hiline. Designed for sustainability, it provides a memorable Sedona riding and hiking experience while protecting the surrounding landscape.

Upside Dawn Beyond is a portion of Upside Dawn that is also new construction that follows the southern edge of the system, featuring exposed slickrock and a spicier blue-to-black  experience. As a primary access route to major descents, it mirrors the iconic feel of Hiline and Transept with long-term durability in mind.

The full Turkey Creek Trail System is anticipated to be completed in the Spring of 2028. The build started in the Fall of 2025 with the completion of Del Sol.

• To read about the full Trail System, click here 
• To hear from trail users excited about the new system, click here.
• To see a snapshot of the accomplishments this 2025 – 2026 field season, click here.
• To learn about the stacked loop design process, click here

THANK YOU to all of our incredible donors, business partners, and volunteers that make this work possible. We hope you enjoy your improved Turkey Creek Trail System… and stay tuned for announcements on the plans for the next phase!