more stats
2.0 miles
Distance
48 ft
Climb
-476 ft
Descent
00:18:52
Avg time
-428 ft
Altitude change
4,042 ft
Altitude min
4,486 ft
Altitude max
4,470 ft
Altitude start
4,042 ft
Altitude end
-4.1%
Grade
-27%
Grade max
12%
Grade min
1,158 ft
Distance climb
2 miles
Distance down
751 ft
Distance flat
00:18:52
Avg time

Scorpion Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Schuerman Mountain
    Sedona, Arizona
  • Difficulty Rating
    Blue Rate
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (8 votes)
  • Local Popularity
    90 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 70 in Trail Running
    • 70 in Hiking
  • Global Ranking
    #2341 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #20881 in Trail Running
    • #4539 in Hiking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Season
    Scorpion is one of the most weather friendly trails in Sedona
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • TTFs on Trail
    Drop
  • Ride in Rain
    Yes
  • Year Opened
    2016
  • Land Owner
    Forest Service

The newly adopted Scorpion trail was previously known as Special Ed,. but when the trail was adopted the FS changed the name to Scorpion which is the mascot of the Red Rock High School, where the trail starts at the north end. In the downhil direction (north to south) the trail is mostly intermediate rated but there are numerous embedded basalt rocks in the trail tread that might be difficult for an intermediated rider to ride at a high speed.

In the downhill direction this trail is going to be one of the most fun trails to ride for advanced and expert riders. There are numerous turns with up and down and turny terrain that will keep riders on their toes. Riders riding downhill at high speeds need to be AWARE that this trail is multi-directional and multi-use, so either hikers or other mountain bikers maybe on the trail traveling in the uphill direction.

Scorpion will be used in the uphill direction as a MAJOR connector trail with the newly adopted Skywalker trail or the old timer Herkenham trail. In the uphill direction the Scorpion trail has short rocky sections that will challenge most intermediate riders and some advanced riders. The newly adopted trail has several re-route sections that mellowed the trail difficulty, so those riders with good climbing skills will have a better chance of climbing the trail without dabbing.

About halfway up the trail riders will come to an intersection of a newly adopted trail called Pyramid. If you are climbing up to Skywalker or Herkenham continue up on Scorpion. For those advanced skilled riders riding downhill you might want to take the Pyramid optional trail to the end of the Scorpion trail.

The Pyramid optional trail gives the advanced skilled rider a 1.2 mile mostly downhill extension with some fairly technical descending sections and technical ledgey up sections that an intermediate rider will most likely end up walking.

At the end of Pyramid you intersect the Scorpion tail where you ride a short section of Scorpion to the dirt parking lot at the Upper Red Rock Loop/Chavez Rd intersection. Hopefully you have a BIG smile on your face at this point.

In the old days there use to be a connector trail called Cakewalk, that trail would take you over to the intersection of Ramshead and Old Post from Scorpion. Both Ramshead and Old Post are important connector trails in the Carroll Canyon area. If you get a chance contact the Red Rock Ranger District and let them know you are interested in them adopting the old Cakewalk trail concept which is being showcased in the current Western Gateway Trails proposal.

Access Info

At the north end the trail is accessed from the Schuerman trailhead. At the south end the trail is accessed from the dirt parking lot at the Upper Red Rock Loop Rd. and Chavez Rd. intersection.

Trail Supporters
Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory

Recent Activity on Trail

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  • 124 rides
  • 12 miles avg distance
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  • Last: May 3, 2025
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Status:
on Mar 25, 2026
Ideal
Avg: 3.64 (46 votes)
Your vote: 0

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        Directions to scorpion-48867 trailhead (34.845260, -111.829120)

        Photos

        39 more »
        852 |
        Feb 18, 2016 @ 11:47am
        Feb 18, 2016
        633 |
        Feb 8, 2016 @ 11:55pm
        Feb 8, 2016
        296 |
        Feb 28, 2018 @ 8:05am
        Feb 28, 2018
        461 |
        Feb 9, 2016 @ 9:39pm
        Feb 9, 2016

        Videos

        14 more »
        youtuber Surviving the Sedona Shutdown. Sedona MTB...
        7:11 | 254 | Mar 27, 2023 , Sedona
        youtuber Chasing Light in Sedona
        10:02 | 563 | Apr 5, 2019 , Sedona
        Scorpion Trail – A Great First Ride in Sedona
        7:02 | 105 | Apr 22, 2025 , Sedona
        Sedona MTB | Scorpion - Herkenham
        9:26 | 88 | Jan 22, 2025 , Sedona

        Technical Trail Features (TTF)

        Trail Lists

        Routes with this trail

        104
        Scorpion, Pyramid - Quick Lap - Intermediate/Advanced Mountain Bike Route,...
        ★ 5.0 • 2 miles • 113 ft • 4 • Loop •
        The Scorpion/Pyramid descent is one of the best descents in Sedona. An easier variation of this ride is to...
        129
        VVCC - Carroll Canyon Triple-S
        ★ 5.0 • 10 miles • 1,120 ft • 7 • Loop •
        is a less used trail system in Sedona, but several of the trails make it worth exploring - the Triple- : ,...
        73
        Roam Fest Sedona - CRLCYN 1 - Skywalker/Scorpion
        ★ 3.0 • 5 miles • 498 ft • 2 • Loop •
        Start this *mostly* downhill shuttled ride by descending some moderate ledges and chunk on . Enjoy the...

        18 Reviews & Comments


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        Nearby Trails

        Schuerman Mountain

        • By johnf0246TF Pro & contributors
        • #48867 - 11,014 views

        Frequently Asked Questions About Scorpion

        ▼ Where is Scorpion located?
        Scorpion is located in Schuerman Mountain, Sedona, Arizona, United States. It is part of the Schuerman Mountain trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 34.84526, -111.82912.
        ▼ How hard is Scorpion?
        Scorpion is rated as Blue difficulty. The physical rating is Hard. The average grade is 4.1%. The climb difficulty is rated Black Diamond.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for Scorpion?
        Scorpion has 48 ft of elevation gain. The trail has 476 ft of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 4,042 ft to 4,486 ft.
        ▼ Is Scorpion a point to point trail?
        Scorpion is not a point to point trail. The direction is Downhill Primary. The trail type is singletrack.

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