Transept Trail

TRANSEPT TRAIL

Many slick rock passages define the Transept Trail

Forming a natural divide between State Route 179 and the hyper-busy trails that loop around iconic Bell Rock in the Village of Oak Creek, the north-south running ridgeline known as the Seven Warriors is home to a pair of trails known for their edge-hugging exposure. 

Transept Trail traces the cliffs of the Seven Warriors ridge

The Hiline Trail that’s part of the Yavapai Vista Trail System, scoots along the ridgeline’s eastern slopes while the newer Transept Trail traces the less congested western side. There are several ways to access the user-created route that was adopted by the forest service in 2018. The most direct way to is begin at the small trailhead along Verde Valley School Road. 

Mayan Maiden formation is a must-see feature along the trail

This less aggressive approach offers a more gradual, smoother gradient than its east side counterpart as well as equally heady views.  The first half-mile makes a steady but mild ascent through cypress-juniper woodlands and jumbled drainages. At the 0.2-mile point, keep an eye out for the Mayan Maiden rock formation that stands at the base of a mass of russet pinnacles to the south. The conspicuous natural sculpture looks convincingly like an elegantly- dressed woman emerging from the stone.

Looking south on the Transept Trail

Views of Cathedral Rock from the Transept Trail

Hardy agaves line the trail

Beyond the Mayan Maiden, the easy walk transitions into a more moderate haul defined by slickrock passages and high-step climbs over crumbling sandstone shelves. Although some slippery loose rock, tricky turns and short sections with stomach-churning deep drop offs require extra effort and steady nerves, the payoff of hiking close to the edge is unobstructed vistas of Cathedral Rock, House Mountain and the flood plains of Oak Creek.  The Transept Trail ends at the 3.2-mile point where is connects with the Hiline Trail. From this high point junction on the nose of a beveled rock jetty with 360-degree views, there are several ways to extend the hike or make a long loop.  Consult the forest service map for details. 

Juniper trees shade the lower part of the trail

High desert woodlands on Transept Trail

Transept Trail is an adopted user-crated route

LENGTH: 6.4 miles out-and-back

RATING: moderate-difficult

ELEVATION:  4,200 – 4,570 feet

GETTING THERE:

From State Route 179 in the Village of Oak Creek, go 2.1 miles west (left through the traffic roundabout ) on Verde Valley School Road to the parking area on the left. The trail begins across the road.

INFO & MAP:

https://www.sedonaredrocktrails.org/ROGS/HilineTransept.pdf

HILINE TRAIL

HILINE TRAIL

Oak Creek-Sedona

Beware of the double diamond trail rating.  That's mountain bike speak for extremely difficult, and Sedona's new Hiline Trail is most  worthy of this designation. Initially created by the biking community, the trail has been recently stabilized and absorbed into the forest service system.  Renowned for its edgy-ledgey exposure, slick rock and technical chutes, it's not a trail for novice hikers or those who fear heights. The narrow, serpentine route clings to the vertical face of a north-south running butte serving up a carousel of terrific views including  Bell Rock, Cathedral Rock and the mountains surrounding Jerome and Prescott Valley.

At the 1.5-mile point, the trail meets "the Pedestal" a remarkable sandstone outcrop with dizzying vistas and abysmal drop offs.  Beyond the Pedestal, the route becomes even more dodgy, traversing loose rock, tight turns and precariously close-to-the-edge segments on its way to connect with Baldwin Trail where numerous loop options and (safer) return routes can be planned.

LENGTH: 3.2 miles 1-way

RATING: difficult

ELEVATION: 4086' - 4646'

FEE: a Red Rock Pass ($5 daily) is required

FACILITIES: map kiosk, interpretive signs, pass vending machine

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go north on I-17 to the Sedona-Oak creek exit 298 SR179.  Head west on SR179 and continue to the Back O' Beyond traffic circle near milepost 310. Swing around the circle and go 1.4 miles  south on SR179 to the Yavapai Point trailhead on the right. To reach Hiline Trail, hike less than a mile south on the Shady Slim trail to the signed junction.