Javelina Trail - Sedona, AZ

Overview
The Javelina 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-jon, a couple of benches, and a dog station (plastic bags to collect your canine’s contribution to the trail hazards).


Hike
The Javelina Trail is an interior trail so some additional hiking is required. To reach the beginning of the Javelina Trail hike in 0.1 miles on the Adobe Jack Trail and then follow the Crusty Trail for 0.5 miles to where it terminates with the Grand Central Trail. Continue 0.26 miles southeast on the Grand Central Trail to reach the beginning of the Javelina Trail. All trail junctures will be signed and have trail maps to assist with any directional questions.The Javelina Trail starts in the bottom of a wooded wash. This would seem secluded and almost magical if it wasn’t for 89A which runs directly behind and above you. Initially, it is impossible to escape the sound of passing traffic. The trail takes off to the north doing a series of staggered climbs as it gains 160 feet in the first 0.3 miles. This climb gets you out of the trees and immediate valley that you started in, but you still have higher elevation around you. It’s hard to argue that any view in Sedona is bad and even at this point there are some decent views to the south. However, these views also include 89A buzzing below as well as million-dollar homes perched on the hills to your east, south, and west. Around 0.4 miles the trail loses a little elevation, dropping down into a basin. You lose the sound of the freeway (bonus), but the “house pollution” comes right up to the trail. At 0.54 there is a use trail that comes in from these homes, as well as a signed entry point for those joining the trail at this point. From here the trail does a short climb out of the basin, leaving most of the nearby homes behind, though there is a power line and higher cliffside homes that will keep you company for another 0.3 miles. At 0.67 the Javelina intersects with the Manzanita Trail. The trail will continue to curve in a northward direction with some minor elevation changes. The trail which had started rocky, with entrenched stones and annoying marbled-sized rocks becomes much smoother with this relatively flat section. During this time you get some decent views to the west and north, but there is a rising slope to the east that blocks your views to the east and south. Around 1.26 the trail connects with the Power Plunge Trail. The Javelina Trail continues heading north climbing about 50 feet before terminating at 1.35 miles when it junctures with the Jordan Trail. As are all trail connections, this juncture is signed with a map of the nearby area. At this point, you have a variety of options. You can return the way you came for about a 4-mile hike. Or, using the map, take any number of trails to create a loop of varying lengths.

Synopsis
It’s hard to find a bad trail in Sedona. And while the Javelina Trail is not bad, it does have some noticeable drawbacks. The good. It is easy to get to, just off the 89A, and no Sedona Pass is needed to park there. The bad. Limited parking, only enough room for 5 cars. The good. Though it is an interior trail, it is a short hike to reach it (.86 miles) and provides some fantastic loop options within the Adobe Jack area. It also can be used as an entry point to the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness, as well as the Devil’s Kitchen and the Seven Sacred Pools. The bad. The views are limited due to the nature of the surrounding terrain and there is quite a bit of urban encroachment at the beginning of the trail. Though, this does lessen the further you hike back. In short, it is a nice trail to “visit”, but there are better options out there, even within the Adobe Jack system.

2024-08-31 mt98dew