Route Editor
Route Scout
Boring to most!...? by joebartels One of the trail register entries read something like 'boring trail, turn around now and head back to your car'. Okay I'm not going to argue. This butte sits alone and the trail is near 100% exposed. I have included this trail because it was of interest to myself. Earlier this month I came across the V-Bar-V Ranch Trail. The Sinagua culture that etched the panels of V-Bar-V likely lived in pueblos atop this butte. From the fence go threw the gate and close it behind you. The trail can be seen leading up to the butte. Even more so the trail is easily seen shooting up the west end to a lower deck. Follow the trail to the butte. Just before a ravine you will pass though a tight cattle guard break in a fence. You pass down through the ravine. Then the trail takes you up to the lower deck on the west side of the butte. Here there is a trail register. Continue on and the trail skirts along the south side and up. The trail is pure limestone in this section. Near the far southeast corner of the butte the trail tops out. From here you are free to roam the deck. The largest remains of ruins are found on the east side overlook. Another good sized pit house or pueblo is found on the west overlook. From here you can look down to the V-Bar-V Ranch site. You will notice there is a small knoll blocking your view. Archeologist John Sturgis told me there is a small lookout ruin on that knoll. He believes somebody took post there and relayed messages to the community atop Sacred Mountain. True the ruins have been savaged by pothunters. The trail is hot and exposed. Sometimes you have to look for more than the obvious, and think of the history. I watched a monsoon roll in over to the east. Then I imagined how the ancient Indians must have enjoyed the views themselves. So why not check out this trail. It's an easy addition to the V-Bar-V Ranch Trail or any other Sedona excursion for that matter. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Gate Policy: If a gate is closed upon arrival, leave it closed after you go through. If it is open, leave it open. Leaving a closed gate open may put cattle in danger. Closing an open gate may cut them off from water. Please be respectful, leave gates as found. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Sacred Mountain
Sacred Mtn V-Bar-V & Wingfield Mesa Ruin
Decided to get out of the house and go to some "drive-by" sites I was interested in.
Started at Sacred Mountain: bushwacked around a bit hoping to find something unusual at this picked-over place. I did find a few largish sherds at the bottom of the hill but the attraction (such as it is) is the big hilltop ruin. Mainly collapsed - the one impressive wall looked like it might have been re-stacked.
Apparently the residents of Sacred Mountain made the nice petroglyphs at the nearby V-Bar-V site. This is a managed park and visitors are restricted to the main decorated cliff. The docent was quite knowledgeable and I was lucky enough to see the solar calendar in action.
Finally I wanted to find the Wingfield Mesa Ruin which I had read interesting things about (http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID ... leID=46766). The mesa is just a couple miles SE of Camp Verde. Unfortunately there is a Jeep/ATV road that goes to the mesa top and broken beer bottle pieces probably outnumber pottery sherds. Still it's a unique place with ca. 40 attached rooms arranged in a big square - makes an impressive satellite view. The central square is ~50 yds across.
Not a bad way to spend a hot day. Time and distance are estimates.
Started at Sacred Mountain: bushwacked around a bit hoping to find something unusual at this picked-over place. I did find a few largish sherds at the bottom of the hill but the attraction (such as it is) is the big hilltop ruin. Mainly collapsed - the one impressive wall looked like it might have been re-stacked.
Apparently the residents of Sacred Mountain made the nice petroglyphs at the nearby V-Bar-V site. This is a managed park and visitors are restricted to the main decorated cliff. The docent was quite knowledgeable and I was lucky enough to see the solar calendar in action.
Finally I wanted to find the Wingfield Mesa Ruin which I had read interesting things about (http://verdenews.com/main.asp?SectionID ... leID=46766). The mesa is just a couple miles SE of Camp Verde. Unfortunately there is a Jeep/ATV road that goes to the mesa top and broken beer bottle pieces probably outnumber pottery sherds. Still it's a unique place with ca. 40 attached rooms arranged in a big square - makes an impressive satellite view. The central square is ~50 yds across.
Not a bad way to spend a hot day. Time and distance are estimates.
2014-06-08 Hansenaz
Sacred Mountain
I agree, the Sinaguan ruins, the sense of history you feel there, and the 360-degree views atop this white butte are awesome! As are the huge ants! But it was well worth the late afternoon drive from Sedona to hike the short trail and to read the entries in the guest book. History buffs might want to check out a book entitled "Vanished Arizona: Recollections of the Army Life by a New England Woman" by Martha Summerhayes. (Etext is available on the net.) Thanks, Lon, for turning me on to the place AND to the book!
2003-05-24 yinofsedona
