This is a scenic trail connecting Schnebly Hill Trail to the Margs Draw and Huckaby Trails. It is well-marked, mostly moderate in grade and offering occasional shade from Arizona cypress over its entire length. It may be hiked one-way with arranged transportation and, hiked east to west, as described here would be rated moderate.
Beginning from the East Trailhead, the trail descends moderately to the south and levels out as it partially circles the base of Merry-Go-Round Rock with spectacular views west down Bear Wallow Canyon toward Sedona and south to Munds Mountain. It then resumes its descent and bends to the west, crossing a switchback of Schnebly Hill Road twice with good views of Mitten Ridge on the right (north). Now, the trail drops into Bear Wallow Wash and follows in or beside the drainage for a considerable distance. The trail then climbs out of the wash, crosses a low ridge and another wash and then climbs moderately. Now, high above the canyon floor, there are great views back to the Mogollon Rim and of nearby red rock formations at the west end of Mitten Ridge to the right.
The trail continues west and crosses the road twice on a high area overlooking Uptown Sedona and many of the area formations. After a brief descent and climb, the trail ends at 4.0 miles at the West Trailhead at the parking area for the Margs Draw and Huckaby trailheads just off Schnebly Hill Road. It is possible to take shorter hikes on portions of the trail utilizing the various mid-trail access points, one at Merry-Go-Round and others where the trail intersects or passes next to Schnebly Hill Road. Road crossings are marked with basket cairns.
This historic trail follows one of the first and most popular cattle trails out of the Sedona area. Upgrading of the trail began in 1896, but its completion as a wagon trail awaited the work of pioneer J.J. Thompson, funded by Coconino County, in 1902. It was known as the Munds Road and later as the Schnebly Hill Road.
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 Munds Wagon 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!
Hiked this today thanks to Mike at Hike House. The views were unreal, the trail was a good workout but not so strenuous that it felt dangerous, and the trail was also easy to follow. This is about 8 miles and was supposed to take us 3 hours. We stopped for a lot of pictures and actually sat at the top for quite a while with snacks and it took us about 4 total. You appreciate the views so much more when you make the climb yourself. Thanks, Mike, for the great advice!
Difficulty rating is for Mountain biking – its a tough uphill – would probably ride better from top down – but is pretty technical in some spots – but would be great hiking – very beautiful down in the river valley – kind of different from a lot of trails.
Location – Very easy to find. Take Schnebly Road out of the roundabout by the Hike House and where the road becomes 4×4 only, use the parking lot on the left.
Trail – Very well marked with both cairns and trail markers. Wide variety of trees/plants but very little in the way of wildlife; just a few lizards and some birds. Be aware you are often in the vicinity of Schnebly Road and the jeep tours, and cross the road 3 or 4 times. However, we didn’t find it annoying. The topography is very interesting and once some altitude is gained, the views just get better and better. None of the climbing is particularly steep or difficult, but once the initial up/down section is complete, it becomes a fairly steady climb.
Would probably rate it a 3.5 stars but not more. The views are without a doubt worth the climbing – some of the best we’ve seen in the area.
Got some good advice to take the hangover trail that branches off from Munds wagon. Munds to Hangover to Cowpies which connects back to Munds is my new favorite loop. The whole thing made for an enjoyable, technical run as the sun was setting… Was glad I brought my headlamp. Got to see the twinkling lights of town on my way back down. The best views and very few people on the trail. Nicely graded switchbacks on Hangover made the whole thing pretty runnable.
Hiked many times and then took the side trail known as the “hangover trail” one time over the rim to the other side looking down on Hwy 89a….Spectacular…Was about a 3 hour hike each way…
We hiked this trail with a gps unit, which made following the trail at the beginning relatively easy. Though the trail follows Schnebly road, we had started early, so we did not hear a lot of traffic from the road until we turned around and started back down from Cowpies.
Overall the trail was spectacular. And who wouldn’t think that? Sedona is a spectacular place! I rated the difficulty of the trail as 2 starts, as our group is used to elevation gain and hiking in the mountains. We found this trail relatively flat and easy in comparison.
Thank you Greg for recommending this hike and thank you Jason for the presentation on Sedona’s history. The Hike House ROCKS!!
The munds wagon trail itself is very pretty with trees and running water and even some picnic tables, however we found the trail a bit confusing to find at the beginning (you must cross over the road twice). We took the munds wagon, hangover, cowpies loop. The hang over was more challenging (and pay attention to the painted markers!) the entire loop is moderate difficulty, but really long! Make sure to bring extra water, the trail took us much longer than expected at about 5 hours…
We, (two women) did this 8.6-mile loop visiting the Munds Wagon, Cow Pies, and The Hangover Trails. Parked at the Red Rocks lot to the left off Schnebly Road by taking the roundabout by the Hike House for approximately 5 miles and paid $5 (cash or card taken) for the day. These trails are also used by bicyclists.
Munds Wagon trail begins at the eastside of the Huckaby parking lot. It is well marked with both cairns and trail markers, but as a previous hiker wrote, this trail is near Schnebly Road and the jeep tours, and crosses the road 3 or 4 times. In 2.8 miles, you’ll see trail signs for Cow Pies heading left and up toward the mountain ridges. The Cow Pies is named after the circular and round shape of the rock formations! They are multilevel, with white arrows on the rocky and slickrock pathways with views into Bear Wallow Canyon below. Follow the ridge of jagged red rock as the trail contours toward The Hangover trail named for the overhanging rock that shelters part of this route from the sun. There are many salmon-colored sandstone formations with panoramic views of Oak Creek, Chimney Rock and Wilson Mountain, and colored remnants of weather-beaten rocks as hard tapestry on the hillsides.
The altitude assent on Hangover was challenging and interesting with a fairly steady climb.The views are worth the 3.5 hours – earning a “will do again” vote! The added bonus was having dinner the “Etole!”