North Urban Trail System - East

Red Rock Passes are available at the Jim Thompson Trailhead access to the North Urban Trail System at the end of Park Ridge Drive (Jordan, Cibola Pass, Brins Mesa, and Jim Thompson trails).

 

Jordan, Cibola Pass, Teacup, Sugarloaf Loop, Sugarloaf Summit Trails

The North Urban Trail System is an interconnected series of trails north of Sedona along the red rock front country. These trails extend from the Jim Thompson Trailhead on the east end to the Thunder Mountain Trailhead to the west. The eastern portion, described here, includes the above listed trails. These trails may be reached using the three trailheads shown below under "access."

Beginning on the east side, the Jordan Trail and Cibola Pass Trail can be accessed from the Jim Thompson Trailhead at the north end of Jordan Road. These trails can be hiked as an easy scenic loop of 2 miles in partial shade with an elevation gain of about 200 feet. Either can be used to reach the Soldier Pass area and the Devil's Kitchen sinkhole to the west, a distance of 1.3 miles with an elevation gain of about 200 feet (one-way). The Jordan Trail is open to mountain bicyclists, the Cibola Pass and Brins Mesa Trails are closed to mountain bicycles given these trails are located within the wilderness.

Continuing to the west, the Soldier Pass Trail crosses the Jordan Trail near the Devil's Kitchen sinkhole. The Soldier Pass Trailhead is located approximately 0.2 miles to the south. The Teacup Trail, mostly open, meanders west past the base of Coffee Pot Rock and climbs moderately to the base of Sugarloaf Hill to the south. On the south side of the Sugarloaf Loop Trail, the Summit Trail can be taken to climb 250 feet to the top of this hill for marvelous panoramic views. The Teacup Trail continues southwest a bit further to the Sugarloaf Trailhead parking area, 1.8 miles from the Soldier Pass area. The Teacup Trail intersects the Thunder Mountain Trail, the link to the western portion of the North Urban Trail System - West, 0.3 miles north of the Sugarloaf Trailhead. See the map below.

General Information

Location: 38 miles south of Flagstaff in scenic Red Rock Country.

Access:

• Jim Thompson Trailhead: From the junction of  SR 89A and SR 179, take 89A north 0.3 miles to Jordan Road on the left. Follow Jordan Road into the Jordan Park Subdivision and turn left onto Park Ridge Drive at the "T." Continue 0.4 miles to the end of the road at the parking area. Toilets are available at this trailhead. Parking specifically for vehicles pulling horse trailers is provided at the Jim Thompson trailhead, but behind a locked gate.  Please contact the Red Rock Ranger Station for the current combination at 928-203-2900. 
• Soldier Pass Trailhead: From the junction of SR 89A and SR 179, take 89A west 1.2 miles to Soldier Pass Road on the right. Go 1.5 miles to Rim Shadows Drive, then right 0.2 miles, keeping straight ahead, to a gated entry road to trailhead parking on the left.
• Sugarloaf Trailhead: From the junction of SR 89A and SR 179, take 89A west 2 miles to Coffee Pot Drive on the right. Go 0.5 miles to Sanborn Drive on the left, then 0.2 miles to Little Elf Drive on the right. Go 0.2 miles to the end of Little Elf and turn right on Buena Vista Drive for 50 yards to the trailhead parking area on the left.

GPS:

• Jordan Road Trailhead (Map): 34°53'17.4"N 111°46'05.8"W
• Soldier Pass Trailhead (Map): 34°53'03.3"N 111°47'01.5"W
• Sugarloaf Trailhead (Map): 34°52'27.4"N 111°47'47.2"W

Maps

• Red Rock Country Maps: Download Red Rock Country trail maps and find other Sedona recreation resources. See the Sedona Northeast map for this trail system.
• The Digital Travel Map Whether you're driving, hiking, riding, or exploring, you will find this full-color, location-enabled map a handy reference to have on your mobile device. The map show trails, recreation sites, major landmarks, and forest roads.
• Forest Service Topo Map (location-enabled PDF)
  • Sedona (344511145)
  • Wilson Mountain (345211145)

Click map thumbnail for larger view.

Rating: Easy / Moderate

Hiking Time: 1 to 4 hours, depending on route used

Uses: Hiking, bicycling, horses (bicycles prohibited on Cibola Pass Trail in the Wilderness)