With many great hikes in the Sedona, Arizona area we can pick a new one every day for months.   An easier scenic hike of 4.25 miles is found 6.2 miles south near the Village of Oak Creek.   The trailhead is at the Bell Rock Vista.

There are several route options, but we chose to follow the Big Park Loop through dry washes and slickrock shelves south of Courthouse Butte.

From the trailhead, we followed a good trail across the red sands, winding through the scrub vegetation and rocky outcrops.   The trail does a complete loop around Courthouse Butte and Bell Rock.

On the east side of the trail, we enjoyed hiking over slickrock ledges and ramps to go through a small pass.  A dome-shaped hill is passed on the north side of the butte.

As we went around the northwest side of the butte, we passed close to the lower slopes of Bell Rock.   Side trails go up the ledges of the rock for higher views.

The loop is completed with a short hike through the sandy terrain back to the parking lot.   We did this hike on a hot day and we noticed the lack of shade.   When we return to do this hike, we will start earlier in the morning, which is what locals hikers know.   They probably shake their heads when they watch the tourist hikers heading out into the desert sun late morning.

We hiked about 10 trails in the Sedona area, but left another 90 for a return trip.   It is will soon be time to return to red rock country,