Distant Drums RV Resort
Camp Verde, AZ
April 28, 2014
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| I-17 towards Flagstaff |
Google says that in late 1901, T.C. Schnebly and his wife purchased an 80 acre plot near the location of the present day Tlaquepaque Arts Village and built a home. Residents of the small settlement complained about the slow and infrequent mail service. 
T.C. filed for an application for the establishment of a post office. Suggested names for the post office were Red Rock Crossing and then Oak Creek Station, but both were turned down by the government because the names were too long to fit on the cancellation stamp. A resident submitted the name of T.C.'s wife, Sedona. Postal officials approved the name Sedona and on June 26, 1902, the post office was in business in back of the Schnebly home. 
Between 1876 and 1900, settlers had a 4 day journey to reach Flagstaff from Sedona. By 1901, a new, rough route was carved out and a $600 contract was awarded to a Civil War veteran to improve the road. The new route reduced the trip from Sedona to Flagstaff from 4 days to 2.
Schnebly first used the road in 1902 to transport lumber from Flagstaff to build his two-story, 11 room home. Once his home was completed, he used the road to transport wagonloads of produce north to Flagstaff and supplies south to his general store in Sedona. Travelers would often stop at his home which he later converted into an inn. Before long, folks associated the road with the Schnebly family and the route was given its present name.
Today, Schnebly Hill Road is an easy but rough and bumpy 4X4 trail. Most folks take a moderate climb up the west face of Schnebly Hill. But our "OOPS!" gave us a different view as we descended almost 2,000 feet.
Sights along the way...
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| American Wigeon...thank you Judy! Often seen on marshy ponds in the company of diving ducks. They wait at the surface while other birds dive, then snatch the food away when the birds reappear. The bill is pale blue. |
We also spotted a Bluebird.
From start to finish, its about an eleven mile ride. And surprisingly, we only passed about 5 other vehicles.
The trailhead is located just after the pavement ends ( maybe a mile or little more) on Schnebly Hill Road if you enter SHR from Hwy 179. The trail is a 5.6 mile roundtrip hike rated moderate/longer in our book.
This hike was lots of fun...narrow ledges, zigs and zags, and up and downs. The great thing about these hikes is you get a good workout, but you hardly realize it. There is something to "WOW!" about around every turn.
It's a hike close to the heart of downtown Sedona, that takes you along the hillside and the creek, and thru evergreens and wilderness.
Our hike ended IN Oak Creek under the Midgley Bridge on 89A North.
It was much nicer walking around downtown Sedona than driving thru it...talk about lots of traffic.
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| Agave Americana...almost in bloom! |
Thanks for stopping by! Until next time...
enjoy!
