Distance

0.5 mi to summit

1.1 mi total

Elevation

4,544 ft start

4,838 ft max

Vertical

274 ft gain

Time

21 min to summit

59 min total

While "real" hiking was not on the menu for this vacation (Joe is most DEFINITELY not a hiker, a mountaineer, or a peakbagger), we did have a need to burn off some nervous energy. So, I asked Joe if he would grab one or two small summits here in Sedona with me that had *real trails* to the top. (Things like Capitol Butte or Brin's Mesa were... too big and too long.) So, off to Little Sugarloaf mountain we went - when I was last in Sedona in Dec '19, I had gotten Chimney Rock right next to Little Sugarloaf, but not LS itself. So! This looked nice and "easy." Well, it was for me. ^^; There was some steep trail and some mild class 3 (low class 3/very high class 2), but still, slab and huge step-ups are not things that Joe is used to doing. We took it slow and I let him take as much time as he needed to feel safe and comfortable. Always important! Never push your partner out of their safety-comfort zone when they are already being kind enough to step out of their activity-comfort zone to do something with you. From the peak, which felt nice, we got great views of Sedona - and then I noticed there was a very similar rock about a mile east of us... Opened the Peakery app... et voila, Sugarloaf Mountain! We had to go. Our next destination was set. :) Joe did a great job coming down off the loose dirt/rock mix and down the slab portions.

Route name

Standard trail

out-and-back
Obstacles

rockfall/loose rock

Key gear

GPS device