Sedona News – After input from the public, community leaders, and user groups, the Red Rock Ranger District is releasing the Red Rock Trails Access Plan Phase II for additional public comments, from Oct. 16 to Nov. 14.
The plan proposes trail enhancements, including adding approximately 31 miles of new non-motorized trails and re-routing and naturalizing other trails, within the Turkey Creek area of the Coconino National Forest. This area is located in the Village of Oak Creek in Yavapai County.
Members of the public can view the recent Scoping Letter and associated maps on the project webpage at https://tinyurl.com/RedRockAccessPhaseII.
Public comments can be provided comments in writing at https://tinyurl.com/RedRockAccessPhaseIIComment; via mail to Red Rock Ranger District, Attention: Red Rock Trails Enhancement, 8375 State Route 179, Sedona, AZ 86351; or in person at the Red Rock Ranger District Office.
Trail enhancements in the Turkey Creek area were originally included as part of the Red Rock Trails Access Plan that was open for public comment Nov. 21 through Dec. 20, 2023. The majority of public comments were focused on the Turkey Creek area, many of which have been addressed in the updated Phase II proposal. The projects from the original proposal outside of the Turkey Creek area were included in a Phase I decision signed Aug. 1, 2024.
Comments received during the 2023 and the upcoming 2024 comment period are considered official, with no need to re-submit prior comments. No public meeting is currently scheduled for this project.
Concerns specific to the Turkey Creek area included prohibition of equestrian use in some areas, traffic, and parking challenges. In response to these concerns the Forest Service has modified the proposal. “I’m proud of the work our staff has done reaching out directly to many individuals and organizations that raised concerns in the first comment period,” said District Ranger Alex Schlueter. “We appreciate the folks who brought forth these concerns. I think they have led to a much-improved proposal and will lead to a better product on the ground.”
High-level changes are bulleted here, at a glance, and incorporated into the full project description found at https://tinyurl.com/RedRockAccessPhaseII.
- Equestrian access: this proposal does not prohibit equestrian access to any proposed trails.
- Equestrian trailer parking: in addition to construction of a main Turkey Creek Trailhead parking lot, this proposal includes a separate equestrian-only parking lot.
- Trailhead modifications: the main Turkey Creek Trailhead and equestrian-only parking lots in this proposal are located on Verde Valley School Road. The current “Turkey Creek East” trailhead at the corner of Verde Valley School Road and Turkey Creek Trail Road (also known as Forest Road 216B) is proposed to be closed and restored to a natural setting.
- Verde Valley School: the Forest Service has worked directly with Verde Valley School to retain sustainable trail connections and to avoid sensitive school infrastructure.
- Cultural resource impacts: some proposed trail routes have been changed to avoid impacts to archeological resources.