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Brian, Michael, Cyd, David, Bill, Denise, Diane, John, Karen
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Ten talented Trailblazers set out from Munds Wagon
Trailhead on the Schnebly Hill Trail #158.
The weather is just about perfect, though truthfully, we
can’t say the same about rocky Schnebly Hill Road.
As soon as the trail takes us away from the road we start
enjoying spectacular views of Sedona’s red rock country
in the Bear Wallow Canyon vicinity.
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Red rock buttes overlook Sedona [Cyd Cassel photo].
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We found a scenic viewpoint [Bill Zimmermann photo].
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It’s a long climb diagonally up to the top of the hill.
Near the top we enter a scrub forest which gradually gives way
to pine forest at the higher elevations.
An old logging road and a trail lead us to the first of many
fine overlooks.
We stop for group pictures before returning to the junction
where the Schnebly Hill Trail continues south then west
along the rim of the hill.
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Bright foliage decorates our climb on Schnebly Hill.
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Autumn colors are beginning in the high country.
A snake and a horned toad welcome us to their territory.
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Snake joins our hike [Brian Caldwell photo]
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... while a horned toad hides in the forest carpet.
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We find rocks for picnic benches near the junction with the
Hot Loop Trail and enjoy our lunch there.
Then we proceed south toward the saddle where our trail
meets the Jacks Canyon and Munds Mountain trails.
On the way are fields of wildflowers and clear views of
Mt. Humphreys and nearby Wilson Mountain
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View from the saddle between Munds Mountain and Schnebly Hill. |
The saddle between Munds Mountain and Schnebly Hill is our
turnaround point.
To the northwest we have a divided panorama, with the white rocks
and forest cover of Munds Mountain on the left and the colorful,
inspiring rock formations across Oak Creek straight ahead.
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Jacks Canyon dominates the view to the south, flanked by
Schnebly Hill on the left and Munds Mountain on the right.
We can see the trails in both directions, an adventurous
hike for another day.
We pass through two Forest Service gates on our return
to the junction with the logging road.
Ted decides to sweep on the way back, sending everyone on
ahead at their own pace.
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Jacks Canyon and Munds Mountain [Cyd Cassel photo].
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Scattered clouds cast their ever-changing shadows on the landscape
as we walk the trail diagonally down to Munds Wagon Trailhead.
A cool breeze refreshes us but scatters the dust.
The hike ends with everyone in good spirits.
Our road back to civilization is rocky and plenty rough.
Drivers of low-clearance cars are glad we car-pooled from west
Sedona.
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What? You mean the Merry-Go-Round isn’t turning?
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