AZ Schnelby Hill Rd Trip 3/21

AZRockJK · Mar 4, 2015

I'm planning to head out to Schnelby Hill Road (Jeep 'Badge of Honor') with a few friends and wanted to offer an invite to anyone that may want to come. From what I read it's an easy trail that my stock jeep shouldn't have any issues with but the scenery is worth the ride for anyone that wants to come along. If interested let me know. Ill update this thread with more details as the date gets closer.

Location: East of Sedona between Hwy 89A and I-17.

Difficulty: Easy.

Description: Towering red rock buttes set against a backdrop of deep-green forest and clear blue sky make this road one of Arizona’s most photogenic. The road climbs over 2,200 feet from Sedona to the top of massive Mogollon Rim. Memorable hiking trails depart from several places along the road, and dispersed camping is allowed above Vista Point. The drive is impressive in either direction. Elk may be seen before sunset. Mountain bikers looking for an easy day will enjoy the ride down. If you park, hike, or stop along the route, you’ll need a Red Rocks Pass. Signs recommend only trucks or off-highway vehicles, but cars (not low-slung) can make it in good weather. Although the road is wide and well-maintained, expect a bumpy ride. Much of the lower portion is a shelf road. This road is closed during the winter.

Time & Distance: About 12 miles one way. The road can be driven in an hour but allow much more time, you’ll want to stop many times.

Trail Conditions: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District. Call 928 203-7500.

Directions to the Trail:

From the top: Get off I-17 at exit 320 (Schnelby Hill Road) and head west on a short paved road. Bear left on a well marked dirt road at the first turn. We will meet up at 10 AM at the beginning of the dirt road to prep for the ride. Bring some food for lunch and we'll pick a spot along the ride to grab a bite and enjoy the view on the way into Sedona.

Red Rocks Pass information: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/recreation/?cid=stelprdb5416207

Attending:

AZRockJK and 1 guest
piefra

Maybe:
RC3

Gadget · Mar 4, 2015

I have been there and it is a nice trip, love that whole area. Take lots of pictures.

piefra · Mar 4, 2015

I'm in.

Linebacker · Mar 4, 2015

Schnebly is a fun/easy/scenic trip for a JK. I'd recommend going north on I-17 to Exit 320. The scenery going down into Sedona is fantastic. Enjoy!

From Schnebly Hill Road. Sedona is in the distance. The Road below is Oak Creek Canyon.

AZRockJK · Mar 5, 2015

Linebacker said:
Schnebly is a fun/easy/scenic trip for a JK. I'd recommend going north on I-17 to Exit 320. The scenery going down into Sedona is fantastic. Enjoy!
View attachment 128644
From Schnebly Hill Road. Sedona is in the distance. The Road below is Oak Creek Canyon.

Great pic! Here is another I found that'll give an idea off how beautiful this trip is!

Desert Rose JK · Mar 6, 2015

You'll have a good time, very scenic trip! Stock jeeps won't have any problems at all. My wife drive it back in November to earn her badge. See: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?964-Where-did-your-Jeep-take-You-this-Week/page106 post # 1059 for more photos. We'll be getting ready for Moab EJS trip that next weekend, we'll catch ya on the next one.

AZRockJK · Mar 11, 2015

Desert Rose JK said:
You'll have a good time, very scenic trip! Stock jeeps won't have any problems at all. My wife drive it back in November to earn her badge. See: http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?964-Where-did-your-Jeep-take-You-this-Week/page106 post # 1059 for more photos. We'll be getting ready for Moab EJS trip that next weekend, we'll catch ya on the next one.

Sounds like a plan and thanks for more pics!

RC3 · Mar 15, 2015

sharky90 said:
I'm planning to head out to Schnelby Hill Road (Jeep 'Badge of Honor') with a few friends and wanted to offer an invite to anyone that may want to come. From what I read it's an easy trail that my stock jeep shouldn't have any issues with but the scenery is worth the ride for anyone that wants to come along. If interested let me know. Ill update this thread with more details as the date gets closer.

Location: East of Sedona between Hwy 89A and I-17.

Difficulty: Easy.

Description: Towering red rock buttes set against a backdrop of deep-green forest and clear blue sky make this road one of Arizona’s most photogenic. The road climbs over 2,200 feet from Sedona to the top of massive Mogollon Rim. Memorable hiking trails depart from several places along the road, and dispersed camping is allowed above Vista Point. The drive is impressive in either direction. Elk may be seen before sunset. Mountain bikers looking for an easy day will enjoy the ride down. If you park, hike, or stop along the route, you’ll need a Red Rocks Pass. Signs recommend only trucks or off-highway vehicles, but cars (not low-slung) can make it in good weather. Although the road is wide and well-maintained, expect a bumpy ride. Much of the lower portion is a shelf road. This road is closed during the winter.

Time & Distance: About 12 miles one way. The road can be driven in an hour but allow much more time, you’ll want to stop many times.

Trail Conditions: Coconino National Forest, Red Rock Ranger District. Call 928 203-7500.

Directions to the Trail:
From the bottom: From the intersection of Highways 89A and 179 in Sedona, drive south 0.4 miles on Hwy 179. Turn left immediately after crossing the Oak Creek Bridge on a well marked paved road.
From the top: Get off I-17 at exit 320 and head west on a short paved road. Bear left on a well marked dirt road at the first turn.

Attending:

sharky90
piefra

Hey sharky, do you have a planned meeting place or time yet. I am interested in the run, with my wife & daughter, but it is a 2 hour drive for us to Sedona. So I'm just trying to decide if I can drive up in the morning or plan to stay in the area Friday night. What are your plans?

AZRockJK · Mar 16, 2015

RC3 said:
Hey sharky, do you have a planned meeting place or time yet. I am interested in the run, with my wife & daughter, but it is a 2 hour drive for us to Sedona. So I'm just trying to decide if I can drive up in the morning or plan to stay in the area Friday night. What are your plans?

Hey RC3! Just updated OP with meet up details and time. If you can make it out to camp the night before, I'd definitely recommend it as there are some great campgrounds all around this area (check out the red rocks pass link for more info). I may come out Friday night to camp but can't quite commit to that yet due to a possible work obligation.

Looking forward to meeting everyone on Saturday!

RC3 · Mar 16, 2015

Great, thanks for the info. I will be in touch later in the week.

AZRockJK · Mar 18, 2015

Got news today that my work event isn't until Sunday so no rush to get back on Saturday! Depending on how everyone is feeling after Schnelby Hill, Im hoping we can add on a run through Broken Arrow Trail!

RC3 · Mar 20, 2015

We will be there at 1000 and ready to go. A second trail after lunch sounds good to me, see you Saturday!

RC3 · Mar 20, 2015

AZRockJK said:
Got news today that my work event isn't until Sunday so no rush to get back on Saturday! Depending on how everyone is feeling after Schnelby Hill, Im hoping we can add on a run through Broken Arrow Trail!

So I just looked up the Broken Arrow Trail and I REALLY want to do that! Hope we have enough time.

nmwranglerx · Mar 21, 2015

RC3 said:
So I just looked up the Broken Arrow Trail and I REALLY want to do that! Hope we have enough time.

Do it. That's a fun trail and pretty short from what I remember.

AZRockJK · Mar 22, 2015

Thanks to piefra and RC3 for coming out for this trip! Unfortunately, Schnelby Hill Road was still closed while the winter conditions clear up on the higher elevation areas of the road. However, Broken Arrow Trail in Sedona, AZ was open so we headed that way and had a blast on the rocks while seeing some truly amazing scenery. Here's a few pics from my phone. I'll post more up when I get the majority of them from my friends' phones.