Jun 10 2009
What does one say when you are told you are going to the Cow Pies? Well, if you trust the guide you are with, you'll go and have a great time exploring.Finding Cow Pies and Mitten Ridge Trail
Take your trusty 4WD, or a car you don't care much about, and head up Schnebly Hill Road just to the left of the Highway 179 Y after Tlaquepaque. You'll find the trailhead about 2.5 miles after the pavement ends.Map
On your right you will see a turnout or parking lot on the top of slick large rocks. Immediately on the left you will see a small wooden sign that says Cow Pie Trail. That's your trailhead.
Hiking and Exploring
Keep in mind that Mitten Ridge comes after the cow pies and has been described as slanting and slippery. It's not easy to find, either, and you'll have to look for rock cairns left by other hikers. I hear the view is worth the climb, though!
Settling for Cow Pies
We decided that to explore the cow pies and peer over the edges for great views would be excitement enough. So we climbed cow pies galore and found some fantastic lizards and blooming century plants.
Climbing the cow pies takes a bit of effort. If you find the right places, the climbing is minimal. Be sure and peer over the edges for a fantastic view of Sedona.
The cow pies are huge red sandstone formations that could be slick in wet weather. There are indentations in the rock where the water gathers. We found the bright green lichen to be worth a photograph.
Time and Caution
You can reach the cow pies after a very short hike and spend a half hour or so exploring the area. I'd suggest you plan for at least an hour. Take sunscreen and water as there is not much shade. Of course, don't forget your camera. It's quiet up there and we found it to be a great place for meditation. The swirling cow pies are listed as a Sedona Vortex site.
Jeep Tours
If you aren't fortunate enough to have your own 4WD vehicle, you can still enjoy a trip up Schebly Hill Road (Munds Trail) to catch the views. The day we were up there, we saw Pink Jeep Tours and A Day in the West Tourstaking visitors to the various overlooks. It's a fun and scenic jeep ride.
See What the Hike is Like with Our Photo Gallery
We took these photos while on the Cow Pies hike and after traveling farther up Schebly Hill Road to the overlooks. Photo Gallery
