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SUGARLOAF SUMMIT LOOP
Sedona
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| View from the summit ridge |
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| Chimney Rock |
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| Capitol Butte (a.k.a. Thunder Mountain) |
Funny how things work out sometimes. One fine day in late October, I drove to Sedona with plans to hike the Allen’s Bend trail. T’was not to be. For whatever reason, the gate on the road to the trailhead was locked, so I wandered over to another trail, hiked for a couple hours and tried again---still locked. Oh well. Chalking this up to fate, I saved the $8 access fee (which I subsequently squandered on a six-pack of local ale), and went for a cup of coffee to mull over where to go instead. Using the forest service recreation guide that came with my Red Rock Pass, I looked for a trail I hadn't already done and decided on Thunder Mountain—part of Sedona's North Urban Trail System. However, when I arrived at the trailhead (which also provides access toTeacup and Sugarloaf trails) , I learned that Thunder Mountain trail is short, flat and kinda boring, but alas, to the east, a red rock butte with people milling around on its summit caught my attention---Sugarloaf. The trailhead sign had a map of the route, so (after locating the owners of an errant beagle wandering the parking lot), off I went.
Although the way is marked by signs and basket carins, this hike is located just north of a residential area with many informal paths intersecting the main trails. Therefore, you'll need to pay attention to stay on course. From the trailhead sign, hike 0.5 mile along the Teacup Trail to a small saddle marked by a basket carin with a wooden post sticking out of it. To reach the summit, hang a right here and make the quarter-mile climb to the top of Sugarloaf's bald crest. Considering that this hill is hemmed in by much higher and vastly more impressive rock features, views from its apex are surprisingly excellent. Local geological landmarks including Capitol Butte (a.k.a. Thunder Mountain), Chimney Rock and Coffee Pot Rock clutter the landscape. To the west, the hazy silhouette of Mingus Mountain soars above the Verde River Valley. To complete the loop, hike back down to the carin/post, turn right and follow the (somewhat difficult-to-follow) path back to the trailhead. To extend your hike, click on the web site link below to learn about connecting trails and other loop options from the Sugarloaf trailhead.
LENGTH: 2.2 miles roundtrip
RATING: easy
ELEVATION: 4,300' – 4,900'
KID FRIENDLY: yes
DOGS: allowed, but must be on leash. There's a poop bag dispenser at the trailhead.
BEST SEASON: October - May
BEST SEASON: October - May
FACILITIES: none
FEE: A Red Rock Pass is required--$5 daily fee.
http://www.redrockcountry.org/passes-and-permits/index.shtml
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 130 miles one way
GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, go north on I17 to exit 298 for SR179, Sedona-Oak Creek. Go west (left at the offramp) to the “Y” intersection of SR179 and US89A in Sedona, veer left through the traffic circle (toward Cottonwood) and continue 2 miles on 89A to Coffee Pot Drive on the right (located between Soldier Pass Road and Dry Creek Road). Go 0.5 miles on Coffee Pot to Sanborn Drive, hang a left, and continue 0.1 mile to Little Elf Drive where a generic “hiker’ sign points right. Turn onto Little Elf and follow the signs 0.2 mile to the Sugarloaf Trailhead. Roads are 100% paved.
INFO: Red Rock Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, 928-282-4119
