Pyramid Circuit

PYRAMID CIRCUIT

A juniper tree on Pyramid-Scorpion Loop

Prominent in the landscape and aptly named, the  4,498-foot conical sandstone formation known as the Pyramid serves as a focal point for the Carrol Canyon Area Trails on the west side of Sedona.

Route circles the Pyramid rock formation

Located south of State Route 89A and north of Oak Creek the iconic landform can be explored using a short loop circuit with options to add length and challenge by linking up with connecting trails.

A tight passage on Pyramid-Scorpion Loop

Access to the loop hike in the deeply incised, conifer-flecked pocket of Coconino National Forest starts at the Pyramid trailhead which is just a no-frills dirt pullout along Upper Red Rock Loop. The spartan trailhead sets the mood for a quiet, remote-feeling trek with alternative peeks at some of Sedona’s most familiar land features.

Pyramid trailhead sign post

Decision making begins right out of the gate, where, after a few yards, the access path splits into two trails that make up the 2.2-mile Pyramid-Scorpion Loop. Either direction works but  taking the south Pyramid leg gets the heavy lifting out of the way early. The 1.2-mile leg traces the base of the eponymous stone edifice on an uneven, boulder-strewn singletrack. 

Munds Mountain seen from Pyramid Trail

Without signs to guide most of the way, the route is sketchy and somewhat difficult to follow where is crosses slick rock and drainages. In those head-scratcher spots, hikers can maintain their bearings by paying attention to branches placed to block false starts and by looking ahead to scope out where the obvious trail picks up. Patience and observation skills will solve the conundrums.  Rife with tight bends and edgy drop offs, the Pyramid leg of the loop unpacks views of Cathedral Rock, Munds Mountain, Oak Creek, and the towering mound of Capitol Butte also known as Thunder Mountain.  At the Scorpion Trail junction, the loop may be tied up by heading right and trudging just under a mile on the return leg back to the start point.

Extend the hike on Scheurman Mountain Trail

But to add length and some truly majestic views, save the return segment for the end and instead, keep going north on the Scorpion Trail. 

View from Scheurman Mountain Vista

This 1.1-mile segment teethers on the lip of a shallow canyon beneath Scheurman Mountain with the sinuous course of Upper Red Rock Loop below. The trail makes a gradual ascent adding views of the Bradshaw Mountains, Airport Mesa, and the Cockscomb formation. Near the top of the climb, the route connects with the Scheurman Mountain and Vista trails.  Signs point the way to the scenic vista tat teeters over a stunning a red rock landscape.

Bradshaw Mountains seen from Scheurman Mountain

The vista makes for a good turnaround point but forest maps show many ways to customize an even longer trek.  

LENGTH:

Pyramid-Scorpion Loop: 2.2 miles

Pyramid-Scorpion Loop with Scheurman Mountain Vista: 6 miles round trip

RATING: moderate -difficult

ELEVATION:

Loop: 4,050 – 4,475 feet

Loop + Vista: 4,060 – 4,815 feet

GETTING THERE:

Pyramid trailhead:

From the State Route 179/89A traffic circle in Sedona, go 4 miles west (toward Cottonwood) on SR 89A to Upper Red Rock Loop. Turn left and continue 1.8 miles to the Chavez Ranch Road (Forest Road 216A) junction. The trailhead is on the right. There are no facilities at the trailhead.