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Jim Warren, “trail boss” for Sedona Westerners Hiking Club
What is your favorite hike and why?
My wife, Linda, would say it’s Bear Mountain because it’s challenging but the views are spectacular. But my favorite is The Hangover because of the variety of terrain.
How often do you hike?
In the winter, three times a week. We don’t hike as much in the summer.
How long have you lived in Sedona and the Verde Valley?
Six years.
Where else have you hiked?
We hiked portions of the Appalachian Trail when we lived in New Jersey. And we’ve hiked the Grand Canyon a number of times.
Finish this sentence: When I go hiking, I don’t leave home without…
My wife! And plenty of water.
The Hangover
Sedona Monthly first hiked this newer trail in 2013, and just like Jim, we quickly fell under its spell. The Hangover was a favorite among experienced mountain bikers for years before it became popular with hikers. It’s neither a short nor easy trail. There are several ways you can begin the hike; Jim starts from the Huckaby/Munds Wagon parking lot on Schnebly Hill Road. When we have a high-clearance vehicle, we start at Cow Pies Trail on Schnebly Hill Road. Either way, you’re going to be hiking for 5-plus miles.
The Hangover begins a little more than a half a mile from the Cow Pies Trailhead. Before you reach it, you will hike the moon-like landscape of the Cow Pies, which is a treat in itself. As for the Hangover, it makes a giant loop around the area that includes the saddle at Mitten Ridge (one of our favorite spots in Sedona), extremely narrow ledges and patches of slick rock so steep that you won’t be faulted if you scoot on your seat. You’ll also see “the hangover”: a portion of the trail where the rock face curls up like a wave. The trail eventually meets up with Munds Wagon Trail, which was how we returned to our vehicle. Our total hiking distance was 5.2 miles.
Maria Martin and Garrett Schwartz, owners of Rock & Rouge in Sedona and Yacht Profile in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
What is your favorite hike and why?
We love combining Big Park Loop with Courthouse Butte Loop and Bell Rock Loop. We start from the South Bell Rock parking lot and follow the trail as it loops around in a 4.2-mile scenic hike. It’s great for trail running, too. You follow the sheer walls of Courthouse Butte and loop around the north side of Bell Rock for amazing views of Rabbit Ears, Baby Bell, Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock. It’s pure Sedona!
How often do you hike?
With a 9-year-old who loves hiking and biking, we hit the trails weekly.
How long have you lived in Sedona?
We lived and owned a business in Sedona from 2003 to 2010 and recently moved back in late 2014 to open a new business.
When did you first hike here and do you remember the trail?
Attending Arizona State University in the early ’90s, I [Garrett] used to come camp at Merry-Go-Round off Schnebly Hill Road (before it was banned and when it was accessible by car) with friends. It was an amazing time and the Sedona trails were much more “wild” back then. It was also the first place I took Maria when she moved here from Vancouver, BC. She loved it so much we moved here.
Where else have you hiked?
Na Pali Coast in Kauai, Grouse Mountain in Vancouver, Kettle Valley Railway in British Columbia, Santa Barbara and Catalina Channel Islands in California, the Snake Path in Masada National Park overlooking the Dead Sea in Israel and, of course, the Grand Canyon are the standouts.
Finish this sentence: When we go hiking, we don’t leave home without…
Each other!
Courthouse Butte Loop
Maria and Garrett are in good company on this trail. It wouldn’t be an understatement to call it one of the most popular hikes in Red Rock Country. The hike begins on Bell Rock Pathway, a wide, flat thoroughfare that heads straight for iconic Bell Rock. There are numerous trails in this area, so you have several options for your hike. You can leave Bell Rock Pathway relatively quickly and hike the lesser-traveled Big Park Loop until it meets with Courthouse Butte Loop, or you can stay on Bell Rock Pathway for a half a mile and then meet up with Courthouse Butte Loop. This sublime trail circles Courthouse Butte, crosses an interesting wash and offers up numerous spots for picnics and pictures. You’ll see the Rabbit Ears formation, Lee Mountain, Twin Buttes, Capitol Butte, Cockscomb and Robber’s Roost. The trail ends when it meets back up with Bell Rock Pathway. Depending on your route, the loop measures 4.2 to 4.5 miles roundtrip.
