PICTURE 1 - Canyon Entry This is a field adjacent to the parking area. The mouth of West Fork is just right of center ... hard to see! In the recent past, this area was a canyon resort for 1930-50's era tourists. Eventually the forest service bought it, and now it's yours to enjoy! Welcome to America.


PICTURE 2 - Oak Creek Bridge The trail first crosses the creek on a picturesque bridge. Stop awhile and gaze down into the flowing waters. They originate from springs flowing from underground almost 2000 feet below the Flagstaff area.


PICTURE 3 - Mayhew's Oak Creek Lodge Along your hike, you next walk among the ruins of a historical area ... an early homestead and subsequent lodge. The building here was most recently the chicken coops! (They look like kind of cute cabins ... what lucky chickens.) Fresh eggs for the guests.


PICTURE 4 - Bear Howard Homestead This began as the Howard cabin in the late 18th century, with hunting plus cattle raising. Over time, the land changed hands, and the building grew. Eventually the old cabin ended up deep inside the lodge. Unfortunately the whole thing burned in the 1980s. Zane Grey wrote much of his 'Call of the Canyon' near this area.


PICTURE 5 - Entering West Fork Canyon Now, we're in West Fork and the quietness is awesome. The bubbly creek wanders under the spring trees, sometimes flowing under deep caves. Your mind wanders as well ... you're in another world.


PICTURE 6 - Pools of Purity The water stops to rest before moving on into Oak Creek below. Look into the reflections, and find yourself and what you value. Don't hurry along. You have time.


PICTURE 7 - Massive Cliffs The walls stretch straight up, making pictures difficult. But the rocks are so colorful and the geological layers so fascinating. After rains, small waterfalls stream down the cliff faces, and in the winter, create crystal icicles.


PICTURE 8 - It Never Ends As you hike along, you cross the small creek, back and forth many times. It seems like your canyon goes on forever. But you check your watch and decide to turn back. Reality returns.