Bell Rock to Cathedral Rock on Templeton Trail

Last October, Jim Manning led a hike on Templeton Trail from the Verde Valley School Road to the junction of Templeton and Cathedral Rock Trails. Templeton continues beyond the junction to cross under Hwy 179 and end at Bell Rock Pathway. To complete the remaining section of the trail, we scheduled another hike, starting at the north Bell Rock Pathway parking lot (near the Little Horse Trailhead). From the parking area, we planned to hike south on the pathway for 1.8 miles to the Templeton Trailhead.

The day before the hike was one of those gloomy days, during which the sun barely makes its presence known. To make matters even worse, the day followed several glorious sunny days of above average temperatures. I got a chill early in the morning and shivered throughout the day. I was really beginning to doubt the wisdom of going on a hike the next day. But I went to bed at 2130, slept without once awakening for eight and a half hours and was greeted by a cloudless sky, a perfect day for hiking, on 21 February 2015.

Eleven strong we set out with great anticipation, driving north on Hwy 179 through the Village of Oak Creek, passing Bell Rock on the right and turning into the parking area at about mile marker 109.75. There we met George and Akemi, increasing the size of our group to thirteen.

We hoisted our packs, gathered ourselves together to make sure no one was missing and left the parking area by way of the exit shown here (right). We were following a GPS track, but never really needed it, as the trails in the area are clearly marked and informational signs are posted at trail junctions.

From the pathway we could clearly see our goal, the grouping of spires collectively called Cathedral Rock, on the horizon; in the foreground are shown directional trail signs and one of the ubiquitous metal trail maps that make finding ones way easy in this heavily used area of trails.

Cathedral Rock on the horizon, directional signs in the foreground

We passed the Little Horse Trailhead, about 0.4 miles from the parking area, continued for another 0.2 miles and crossed a narrow, wooden bridge. The photograph (left) shows Joyce Arregui and Bill Woolard crossing the bridge on the return trip.

Just beyond the bridge, to the right of the two cyclists seen in the photograph, we found the HT Trailhead, a trail that obviously crossed under Hwy 179 and would, according to a posted map, lead us to Templeton Trail. It would shorten the hike by 1.4 miles (one way).

The trail distance between the northbound and southbound lanes of the highway was about 0.2 miles and the total distance from Bell Rock Pathway to Templeton Trail was 0.8 miles. Along the way we crossed Easybreezy Trail (right), used primarily by bikers.

When we reached Templeton Trail, we found that the trail we had been following continued on past the intersection but that the name changed to Slimshady Trail (left). HT Trail, only 0.8 miles long, ended there.

Our trail was wide and essentially level at this point, rising and falling gently as it dipped into and out of washes on its way to the rock ledge that it would follow along the northeast slope of Cathedral Rock. From the ledge we had a panoramic view across Sedona to Capitol Butte and Bear Mountain on the horizon.

Looking beyond Sedona to Capitol Butte and Bear Mountain on the horizon

Looking ahead we had a close-up view of the towering spires that form Cathedral Rock. In the lower right quarter of the below photograph is shown the path that Templeton Trail follows along the ledge. Although there are a few places where the trail is faint as it makes its way across bare rock, it would be very difficult to really become lost in this area.

View of Cathedral Rock from Templeton Trail

Cathedral Rock Trail (right) is clearly marked and there is little chance of passing it by. This is where the hard part of the hike begins. There are places where the rocks are slick and little in the way of footing exists. I would not attempt the climb if there were even the slightest possibility of ice on the trail, or when the trail was wet for that matter.

The two photographs shown below illustrate the more difficult sections of trail.

Climbing Cathedral Rock

Climbing Cathedral Rock

We didn't do it very quickly, at least most of us didn't, but we all did climb to what I have marked as Stop 1 on the map insert (left) which shows our GPS track up Cathedral Trail from Templeton Trail. Stop 1 was a large flat area, sheltered from the breeze by the surrounding spires. The hardest part of the climb was now behind us and some, satisfied with that, stayed there for lunch. The rest of the group climbed on up for another 200 feet or so, and then continued on to the Gap between the two southernmost spires. The highest point of our hike.

The following photograph of Courthouse Butte, framed by two of Cathedral Rock's spires was taken from that point.

Courthouse Butte seen from Cathedral Rock

After stopping for lunch, we made our way slowly and carefully back down the trail, helping one another as needed. While the descent was easier than the climb up had been, it did require care to avoid slipping. On the way up, we had noted several places where the rocks appeared worn and slippery. Now, we discovered why. It was where hikers just sat down and slid across bare rocks while descending. This was often easier and safer than seeking a tenuous toe hold.

On arrival back at Templeton Trail we found Akemi (right), always a fast hiker, waiting for us and we all gathered for a group photograph before heading back to our vehicles.

Left to right: Ron Condon, Daisy Williams, Chris Jensen, Collene Maktenieks, Anita Jackson, Bill Woolard, Lila Wright, Joyce Arregui, Connie Woolard, Akemi Tomioka, Jim Quinn and George Everman – photograph by the author.

After the photograph we retraced our steps to the HT Trail/Templeton Trail intersection where paused for a rest and to decide whether we would take Templeton Trail back to Bell Rock Parkway. I wanted to take Templeton so that I would have hiked the entire length of that trail. Bill and Connie along with Joyce agreed to accompany me and the rest of the group took the shorter route by way of HT Trail.

The included map (next page) shows the GPS track for the return hike from Cathedral Rock by way of Templeton and Bell Rock Pathway in red. The blue GPS track shows HT Trail.

My GPS instrument showed that I hiked a total distance of 8.4 miles, that the highest elevation was 4739 feet and that the total ascent was 1039 feet.

Those who returned by way of HT Trail hiked a total of 6.8 miles.