Manzanita Trail, AZ

Overview
The Manzanita Trail is one of eight new trails that were created when the Adobe Jack TH was created in 2016. This TH is directly off the 89A just past Mariposa Grill. There is enough parking for only 5 vehicles. There is no fee for parking at this TH. A hotel has recently been built that is directly adjacent to this parking area. Kind of an odd medley of high-end traveling and backyard hiking. Actually, it looks like an ideal marriage if you are ok with city hiking. It doesn’t get much more convenient than this. At the TH there is a great map of the Sedona trail system as well as a localized map of the Adobe Jack (Soldier Wash Trails). There is also a bike repair station which is becoming a common theme with some of the more established Arizona THs. Since this trailhead's initial founding, they have expanded the amenities. In addition to the maps and bike station, they have added a drinking fountain, a port-a-john, a couple of benches, and a dog station (plastic bags to collect your canine’s contribution to the trail hazards).


Hike
The Manzanita Trail is an interior trail so some additional hiking is required. The most direct route to reach the Manzanita is to hike the Adobe Jack Trail 1.04 miles. The Manzanita Trail will be signed and takes off heading in a southeast direction. Almost immediately (within several hundred yards) the trail intersects the Power Plunge Trail.The trail is relatively flat for the first 0.15 miles and then will start a gradual decline into the wash. There will be a couple of switchbacks along the way to ease the descent. For the most part, the trail is relatively smooth throughout with a “scattering” of rocks to keep you honest. With the inclines, there are a couple of choppy sections, that are stair-like, but they are few and brief. At 0.33 miles the trail reaches the bottom of the wash and intersects with the Gran Central Trail. Your time at the bottom is very brief. The trail immediately crosses over and starts to switchback up the other side. Though you are lower than much of the surrounding terrain the switchbacks will allow you to get some appreciation of the sites without too much rubbernecking.

At 0.53 the trail flattens out and heads south. The canyon slope will rise to the east and descend slowly to the south and west. Because of the gradualness of the slopes, you don’t get a good view of the valley you just left and the best views are pretty much isolated to the northwest. Initially, the trail goes along the slope of the canyon and then turns east. As it does so you get the brief impression that the trail is going along a saddle as the terrain drops off gradually on either side of the trail. At this time, the powerlines come into view and shortly thereafter the trail ends when it junctures into the Javelina trail. This juncture is signed and mapped. At this point, you have a wide range of options. You can return the way you came or create a 3-mile loop involving the Javelina and Crusty Trails or using the maps that are available at every junction you can delve further into the Soldier Wash Trail System.

Note
WHERE’S THE LOVE? The Manzanita Trail is one of the few trails in the Sedona Trail System that is not accurately represented on their maps. If your objective is to incorporate the Manzanita Trail into your hike, know that it does not occur where it is shown on the map. The trail is within the Soldier Wash System and can be accessed via the Adobe Jack, Gran Central, and the Javelina Trails, but the locations and distances shown on the maps will be off.

Synopsis
The trail itself is not noteworthy. It is one of several trails in this system that offers a combination of wash and “rim” hiking and will provide occasionally decent views of the surrounding vistas. The Manzanita Trail is a nice looping option if you are looking for a shorter hike.

2024-11-03 mt98dew