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Courthouse Butte Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate
 4.3 (42) RECOMMENDED ROUTE
  1. Areas
  2. AZ
  3. …Flagstaff and Northern AZ
  4. …Sedona
  5. Courthouse Butte
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“A loop around Courthouse Butte. ”

Ray Smith
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Map Key

3.9

Miles

6.3

KM

Loop

4,471' 1,363 m

High

4,253' 1,296 m

Low

302' 92 m

Up

303' 92 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Views

Overview

A lovely loop combining parts of other trails previously recorded that make a nice loop around Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock.

Need to Know

Very little shade on this trail. I did the loop on a 106 degree day with plenty of water. The far side of the trail away from the parking lot is very serene. I only saw other hikers as I got close to Bell Rock.

Description

This is a fairly easy loop around Courthouse Butte. From the parking area head left to the intersection of the Courthouse and what is listed as the Phone Trail. Take a right and head up towards the butte.

Continue clockwise around Courthouse Butte on the Courthouse Loop until the trail intersects with the Big Park Loop Connector and the Bell Rock Trail. This will take you back to the parking area.

The far side of Courthouse Butte offers really lovely vistas and solitude. Not only do you see some of the red rocks the Sedona area is famous along the Munds Mountain Wilderness area for but you also see part the Horse Mesa with it's contrasting green trees.

Part of this loop along the far side follows along and crosses a creek bed. There was a wee bit of water when I went through with the largest concentration of tadpoles I have ever seen.

Flora & Fauna

Typical desert stuff. The day I was there I didn't see any critters but I understand others have seen rattlesnakes. Be aware.

Plenty of birds provided a soothing backdrop to my huffing and puffing up the hills.

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Coconino National Forest Office

Shared By:

Ray Smith
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 42 votes

#1

in Courthouse Butte

#289

Overall
  4.3 from 42 votes
5 Star
45%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Courthouse Butte

#14

in Arizona

#289

Overall
26 Views Last Month
7,542 Since Jul 8, 2016
Intermediate
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Photos

Bell Rock.
Jul 8, 2016 near Village…, AZ
A pass with a very determined little tree.
Jul 8, 2016 near Village…, AZ
Courthouse Rock.
Aug 9, 2016 near Village…, AZ
Courthouse Butte.
Jul 8, 2016 near Village…, AZ
Bell Rock hides under the snow in Arizona.
Mar 6, 2017 near Village…, AZ
Bell Rock from the start of the trail.
Jul 8, 2016 near Village…, AZ

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All Clear 48 days ago See History
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Check-Ins

Mar 11, 2022
Vince D
Mar 9, 2022
Vince D
Jan 29, 2022
Shelby Moore
1/29/22
Dec 18, 2021
Brandon Reid
3.9mi — 2h 10m
Nov 19, 2021
Ashleigh Shunk
Nov 12, 2021
Quynh Nguyen
Jun 10, 2021
Rick Young
Dec 19, 2020
Thomas Spannuth

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