HIKE OF THE MONTH

HIKE of the month WOODS CANYON TRAIL Unlike some of the more famous trails to the northwest, this hike isn't dominated by picturesque geology. Instead, the highlight is a beautiful riparian area in a quiet wilderness.

Unless you're Rob Krar, extreme trail running is ill-advised. For Krar, an elite endurance athlete who lives in Flagstaff, it's a way of life — he once ran from rim to rim to rim (41.2 miles) at the Grand Canyon in 6 hours, 21 minutes and 47 seconds. For average hikers, though, it's a bad idea. The human body isn't generally equipped to tackle rugged terrain at breakneck speeds — you'd be better off blasting your kneecaps with a Louisville Slugger. That said, there are always exceptions. And the Woods Canyon Trail, the southernmost route in the Sedona area, is one of them.

The hike begins at the Red Rock Ranger Station, which is located along State Route 179 about halfway between Interstate 17 and uptown Sedona. Not only is it an easy-to-find launchpad for the hike, but the station also offers a great introduction to the area with educational displays about geology, human history and the seven biotic communities found in the surrounding landscape. The restrooms are clean, too. And that's not a thing to take for granted.

From the south end of the parking lot, the well-graded and easy-to-follow trail drops down and heads east. After a few minutes, it arrives at a log that serves as a connecting point to the other side of Dry Beaver Creek, which may or may not have water in it. Despite the moisture level of the creek, the landscape will likely include Herefords, whose orangered hides match the red dirt of the initial stretch of trail. A few minutes later, you'll come to a gate, beyond which is an old jeep road. By the time you've closed the barrier, the sounds of SR 179 will have