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| Hiking | 9.41 Miles |
1,464 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.41 Miles | 5 Hrs 54 Mns | | 1.93 mph |
| 1,464 ft AEG | 1 Hour 1 Min Break | | | |
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| partners | | Kelly is helping me do some prep hikes for my big outing this summer. We hadn't done this for 7 years and decided it would be a good one to do again. We made the drive north and just like several years ago, we blew by the turn ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall") for Sedona but realized it right away, unlike the last time when it was several miles before we realized it. We finally made it to the TH and geared up. It was a little warmer than I would have liked but we did get a breeze that picked up later in the day.
We headed out on Munds Wagon Trail and I was surprised that we saw as many people as we did until after we took the first junction for the Hangover Trail. There were some nice wildflowers along the way including what I thought was Hollyhock but I now believe was Palmer's Penstemon. The Penstemons were almost a grove in a couple places. We were quite surprised to see some water in the drainages... and running water at that. You cross the drainage many times during this hike before and after you come down from the Hangover. We enjoyed checking out the water  .
Kelly suggested we do the loop clockwise as we had not done it this way. I was a tad reluctant as we didn't know the elevation gain but we went for it. This turned out to be the perfect choice; especially after coming down that relentless hill from Schnebly Road later. The Hangover Trail in this area was in nice shape and you had good views along the way too. We did run into a bicycle rider here. It was interesting to see how the trail wrapped around the base of the mountain and takes you up fairly easily to the western saddle. I had downloaded DixieFlyer's route just in case we wanted to take a shot at the arches/windows above us to the west. I told Kelly to go ahead and I'd wait but she suggested I come along so I mumbled something and followed her.
Well after several stabs at different routes to get up a steep layer of bedrock, we ended up turning back. We did spot a bike rider across the way that pondered going straight down the opposite mountainside to the saddle. I can't even imagine. We never did see him complete the task. Kelly figured we could probably get up this one section with good effort but getting back down might be a little dicey. I did get a few good pictures of her attempt. In fact, getting back down to the saddle was slippery and we had to do a little rumpaging.
Once back at the saddle on flat bedrock we headed straight up a couple more levels to the designated trail (on bedrock) and enjoyed our hike to the north side as the views kept us in awe. Oh ya, this next part... now I remember, it is incredibly vertical and a tad tricky in spots to get up once you have to veer away from something of a trail. Thank goodness for the white marks that helped guide us up and back south. I had my heavy day pack on so this was a tad challenging  .
We finally made it to the last level at the base of the top tier. And now it was time to head east, hugging the side of the mountain. The trail is dicey in sections too but nothing too bad. It is amazing how they fit this trail in here. The overhang sections are so impressive and today there were water seeps, moss and some plants growing right out of the walls. And oddly enough, I got hit by a rock coming off the hangover above me. I didn't see Kelly again until I got to the area where you cross below the saddle. I did quite a bit of filming on my way and would occasionally stop to inhale the views. I finally got to where I could see Kelly on the east side below the saddle. We had one quick steep section before we arrived at the top of the saddle. For some reason, my mouth got really dry while hiking between the saddles; such an odd thing.
We found a nice restaurant, I mean some comfortable rocks  , to sit on for lunch time. We were only half-way done with the hike but at least it was downhill from here. We headed west across the saddle and then down a layer heading east. However, as Kelly was running point pretty far ahead she came back to say this wasn't the way. So now we were on the hunt for the white marks which were pretty much on this west side as the trail headed down the layers to get to a bigger layer where all the big loose rocks were hanging out. We pretty much stayed on this layer still enjoying the scenery and a lizard that looked turquoise in this light. I dropped my phone for the second time today, UGH! There were a couple sharp ups and downs as we finally reached the Cow Pies Trail. While the Cow Pies Trail is short, it packs a nice 360 view.
It was a little tricky finding the white marks to follow the trail across this huge area of bedrock, before making it into the trees and to the road. We noticed how intensely green the trees seemed on the tall hillsides to our east; I think because they had just leafed out in some cases. We crossed the road and did a zig when we should have zagged to get on the Munds Wagon Trail for the last couple miles back to the trailhead. The sun was warm so I was glad for the breeze and the occasional shade created by the pine trees as we made our way back to the creek. The trail seems to be on a constant down so I was glad Kelly had made the choice to try it clockwise. I had forgotten how relentless the trail would have been on the way up.
We made it to the creek where once again we found running water and some deep pools. I asked Kelly for one more break before finishing off the last few miles. We found a great setting including a nice big rock to sit on with a pool in front of us and the red rocks beyond. Just past the junction with Hangover west, we were more in the grassy area and some more flora. We still crossed the creek drainage and the road a few times before that last little hill where we found a beautiful smattering of blooming prickly pear cactus. It was starting to get a bit warmer now so I was glad when we could see the trailhead in the not too far distance.
We enjoyed our beers and peanuts before heading south, but not before asking google for a place for lunch. We lucked out and ate at the replacement of the Blue Moon. We had great food and I had a stellar margarita. The chairs are also very comfortable here at Colt Grill BBQ and Spirits.
I took quite a few movies and if you've done this Loop, you know why. It's really a great hike. Once again, I haven't finished reviewing the videos.
Part 1 Munds Wagon Trail and onto the Hangover Trail [ youtube video ]
Part 2 Hangover Trail from before the western saddle and up to the Hangover Trail [ youtube video ]
Part 3 Hangover Trail from the hanging part to the eastern saddle [ youtube video ]
Part 4 Hangover Trail from below the eastern saddle, Cowpies and Munds Wagon trails [ youtube video ]
WATCH 9:01AM-2:54PM 8.72 miles, 4547-5374 elevation. 133 avg bpm/163 max. 37% Zone 5 max, 47% Zone 4 anaerobic, 14% Zone 3 aerobic burning 2400 calories. Starting temp 65.8 sunny and 36% humidity. |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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