Wilson Canyon Trail and Midgley Bridge

Wilson Canyon Trail. Easy hike, pretty scenery but closed in and only can see views of Wilson Mountain. Photography Photography options generally limited to micro-scenic shots. Good hike to just look and enjoy nature with several opportunities to see interesting geological features in creekbed. Red Rock pass required, but available at parking area. Parking very limited. I was able to hike only about one mile into the canyon on account of time constraints, and with fairly frequent stops for pictures and generally enjoying the scenery it took me one hour for the 2 mile round trip that included only about 150 feet of elevation gain. The trail appears to stretch about another mile from where I turned around, and likely includes more elevation gain. This is a good hike for beginners and anyone hoping to hike in solitude. Despite, or perhaps because of, the crowded trailhead I saw only a mountain biker as I hiked. This can easily be hiked in sneakers and jeans if you didn't plan to hike but are inspired by the beauty of the red rocks to get out of the car and explore. Even flip flops will work if you're like me and wear them all the time.

The Midgley Bridge is at the trail head and parking area for the Wilson Canyon Trail, and though it is a heavily trafficked tourist area for photographs it is well worth the brief detour for some scenic pictures. Morning Light is likely best if you want a downstream shot of the bridge with the town and canyon in the background. As the sun moves across the sky into the afternoon this perspective becomes too heavily backlit for anything but silhouette shots. However the afternoon to evening sun lights the bridge nicely for some shots of the understructure with Wilson Mountain in the background.
Google maps info for the bridge: Midgley Bridge
Coconino, Arizona
http://m.google.com/u/m/d0gzOa