Little Rock-Rabbit Ears Loop

LITTLE ROCK-RABBIT EARS LOOP

Creek crossing near thebeginning of Rabbit Ears Trail

Rerouted and revamped in 2021, the routes formerly known as the Pine Valley and Dairy Springs trails are the Rabbit Ears and Little Rock trails are the rising stars of the Big Park Loop Trails system in the Village of Oak Creek. 

Boulders line the undulating Little Rock Trail

The two single track paths were moved off areas that had become heavily eroded.

Milkvetch color the Little Rock trail

The rehabilitated routes now include an extra mile of scenic trail at the base of Lee Mountain southeast of the uber-popular Big Park trails that wind around iconic Courthouse Butte  and the Bell Rock vortex site. 

Rehabilitated trails add a mile of hiking near Big Park

Combined with a short stretch of the Big Park Loop, the Rabbit Ears and Little Rock make a moderate-rated 5.7-mile loop with lots of variety. The hike begins at the Jack’s Canyon trailhead, which essentially serves as the less crowded “back door” to Big Park. 

This hike uses a short section of the Big Park Loop

After passing a gate and crossing Jacks Canyon Road, the trail hops an ephemeral creek which may be difficult to cross during heaving spring run off season.

Mesa and valley views from Rabbit Ears Trail

Once over the creek, Rabbit Ears ascends a sun-drenched mesa dotted with catclaw, yucca and cacti.

White arrows point the way on Little Rock Trail

There’s little shade along the first 0.7-mile which means unobstructed views of Lee Mountain and the Munds Mountain Wilderness, Horse Mesa and the distant Bradshaw Mountains. At the first junction, the loop splits.

Rabbit ears formation at the loop's high point

To get in the climbing part first, follow Rabbit Ears as it ascends a stepped mesa to the loop’s high point beneath the eponymous bunny ears rock formation. Tucked into cleft below Lee Mountain, the ears stand out as double sandstone pillars. 

Stiffarm rockcress blooms Feb. - Oct.

The route then makes a gradual mile-long straight shot downhill overlooking a gully where the faint scribble of Little Rock trail is visible on the red ledges below. 

Rubble on the Little Rock Trail

Pinion-pine-framed looks at Courthouse Butte, Cathedral Rock and the skyline of Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness roll out all the way down. At the Big Park junction, the route heads left on Big Park Loop for 0.3-mile, then heads left again on the Little Rock Trail.

Cathedral Rock viewed from Rabbit Ears Trail

This lower 2.4-mile  leg of the loop is dodgier than its ridgeline component.

Rabbit Ears Trail descends toward Courthouse Butte

Twisted and undulating, the trail is a combination of woodsy passages and sketchy slickrock traverses.

Rabbit Ears Trail traces the edge of Lee Mountain

Where the trail crosses solid rock, white arrows painted on the slick sandstone point the way.

Fragrant Gregg's ceanothus blooms Mar. - May

While never demanding too much of lung capacity or leg muscles, the trail’s unrelenting dips and climbs add up to over 1,000 feet of elevation change mixing a mild sweat in with sweet vistas and a quieter outdoor space.

Vociferous scrub jays serenade hikers

Snow capped Bradshaw Mountains seen from Rabbit Ears

It’s a recipe for relaxed hiking in Red Rock Country.

LENGTH: 5.7 miles

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION:  4,222 – 4,709 feet (1,022 feet of total elevation change)

GETTING THERE:

Jacks Canyon Trailhead.

From Interstate 17 north of Camp Verde, take the Sedona/Oak Creek exit 298 and continue 6.5 miles on State Route 179 to the Jack’s Canyon Road/Verde Valley School Road traffic circle. Veer right and continue 2 miles on Jack’s Canyon Road to the trailhead on the right. Roads are paved up to the trailhead.

The trail begins at the Rabbit Ears sign at the north end of the huge parking area. There are no fees or facilities at this trailhead.

INFO:

Coconino National Forest

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=72017