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Hangover Trail

Wednesday, May 18, 2016 by The Hike House 5 Comments

The Hike House Sedona Trail Rating System
Hangover Trail

One of the most dynamic trails to be added to the Sedona Hiking Trail System in years. For those who have appreciated Munds Wagon Trail and Cow Pies, this trail takes it to the next level.

I especially appreciate this trail because it is not for everyone and takes a level of commitment to truly the unlock the majesty of this trail. In order to access Hangover you must hike 1.7 miles up Munds Wagon Trail—you may attempt this portion but this is not recommended due to the current condition of the adjacent road (Schnebly Hike Road)

After 1.7 miles take the junction left onto Hangover Trail. You will slowly rise up a series of switchbacks as Mitten Ridge towers over you. Behold, you arrive in the saddle where Oak Creek Canyon unfolds before you very eyes. After a short, steep ascent the trail levels out as you hike a 4-6 foot shelf along the backside of Mitten Ridge.

As you near the end of Mitten Ridge the trail rises back up onto the Cow Pies saddle. Stay left as you descend down the backside. Follow Cow Pies as it will connect you back with Munds Wagon Trail. Be sure to bring your camera because this hike is truly spectacular.

Trail Data

Distance: 8.4 Miles
Time: 4.5 hours
Elevation Change: 810 ft.
Difficulty: Difficult
Map: Click here for a map of Hangover Trail.

Trail Rating

VN:RO [1.9.8_1114]
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Rating: 4.4/5

Hangover Trail Image

Sedona Trail Rating System

The Hike House Sedona Trail Rating System provides actual hiker feedback and ratings of each of the Sedona hiking trails. The cumulative trail ratings for the Casner Canyon Trail submitted by fellow hikers is located above with the Trail Data. Your trail feedback and ratings are an important resource for fellow hikers and provide a personal account of your trail experience from which others may learn. So please hike Sedona, help others, and rate a trail today!

Filed Under: Sedona Trail Rating System Tagged With: Hangover Trail, hiking sedona, The Hike House

Comments

  1. Nancy Ferguson says:
    Friday, October 27, 2017 at 2:55 pm
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    We’re experienced hikes but this hike had us a bit nervous at the 45 degree angle slick rock. You’ll need to go up it, down it and across it to get through this trail. But, put on your Vibram-soled hiking boots and go.
    Truly a wonderful trail. We enjoyed the variety of slick rock, sand, scree and dirt. The views are superb when you get to the saddle: on one side is Schnebly Hill Road and the Merry-Go-Round and on the other are Midgley Bridge, rte 89A and the forests of Sedona.
    But, it is not for the faint of heart.

  2. Karen says:
    Monday, October 30, 2017 at 12:28 am

    This trail is the most beautiful trail that I have hiked. I am an experienced hiker but still found this trail difficult, strenuous and dangerous. I do not recommend bringing dogs or children. There are white dots painted on the trail marking the path. The white dots can be difficult to find in some places and some of the dots are beginning to fade. Give yourself plenty of time to complete the trail. You do not want to be on Hangover trail after dark. Definitely worth risk. You are literally walking on the side of a cliff, getting a close up view of the massive Red Rocks and canyon below. It’s a truly mystical and spiritual experience.

  3. Tim Brian says:
    Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 7:13 am
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    Without a doubt, my favorite Sedona trail!

  4. Ted Stratton says:
    Friday, February 16, 2018 at 11:44 am
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    It couldn’t have been a better experience to be out on this amazing trail just a few hours after the rains had stopped. We felt like we were hiking in an Az Highways wonderland with 360 degree views all around us and water dripping from glistening slick rocks all along the trail. It’s a little unnerving in places with some challenging slopes but just make sure your have a good tread on your boots and take it slow. We all agreed that this is one of our top-10 hikes in the entire area! Quiet, peaceful, diverse landscapes and amazing views of…everything. The only challenge was the gnarly 2.5 mi road to the Cow Pies trailhead.

  5. Scott M. says:
    Friday, August 16, 2019 at 11:37 pm
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    This loop trail is perhaps the most dramatic hike in the Sedona area! Starting out on the Munds Wagon trail, you traverse thru some gently rolling forested areas along the creek bed. Some great picture taking spots are in abundance as you look directly at the face of the various rock faces. The Hangover trail juts off to the left at about the 1.7 mile mark and is well indicated by a sign. It begins pretty harmlessly as it skirts thru the trees and starts to encircle the red rocks in front of you. (Taking the clockwise route on the Hangover trail will allow you to attack the most difficult areas while still relatively fresh) As it begins to climb, you realize that the vistas you’re seeing are the best around!! Tremendous views of the valley below and many of the surrounding rock formations. Near the top of the climb, the trail turns to simply traversing over rock facings at about a 30-45 degree angle. If you do not have good hiking shoes and are a bit fearful of heights, this trail is definitely not for you. One slip in these rocky traverses and it’s a very bad outcome. I don’t think any of the reviews of this trail stress this enough…it’s pretty dangerous. I often used the bear crawl posture to climb up some of the steep rock faces. Going across a 45 degree angled slope is no easy feat, so be very careful. The white arrows painted on the rock are crucial to maintaining your route. Look for these as you scramble about. The Cow Pies trail intersects the Hangover near the bottom of the slope and is well marked by a sign.

    I only saw 3 other hikers the entire time. You will run into several Jeep tours as you walk on the Munds Wagon trail since the road is adjacent to it.
    All in all a fantastic loop trail and perfect way to see the best of Sedona. About 8 miles total length.

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