Munds Wagon–Hangover Loop Trail Preview

Should you hike Munds Wagon / Hangover Loop to Cow Pies? What the film settles

A long loop with one stretch that decides whether it is for you.

The climb is long, not hard. The film starts in the creek-bottom forest and climbs the old wagon road from 27:30, with switchbacks and the first views back to town from 41:00 and looser rock on the grade from 54:30. At 1:08:00 the loop reaches a slickrock terrace with the big view, where it turns onto the Hangover Trail.

The Hangover ledge is the decision. At 1:27:10 the trail is cut into the cliff band with a drop on one side. This is the exposed section the strenuous rating is about, and it is Class 3 in places. Watch it before you commit; the guide covers Class 3 scrambling and route exposure.

Then the Cow Pies and the long way down. Past the high point at 1:35:00 the film reaches the rounded slickrock domes of the Cow Pies at 1:42:30, walks down them on friction from 1:48:30, crosses a sandy wash at 1:57:50 and heads back below Mitten Ridge. The loop closes at the trailhead at 2:41:40.

Set a turnaround time. At 2:42:47 this is the longest film in the library, so plan water and a turnaround before you leave the car: establishing a turnaround time.

Skip the Hangover if exposure unsettles you; the guide’s standard Munds Wagon route does not include it. Trail logistics and standard route

What the full film shows, chapter by chapter

Timestamps read from the full 2:42:47 film. Owners can jump straight to any chapter.

1. 0:00 Munds Wagon trailhead The lot on Schnebly Hill Road and the first open ground; about 4,450 ft.
2. 14:00 The creek-bottom forest Oak and sycamore along the drainage (0.6 mi).
3. 27:30 Up the old wagon road The historic grade climbs steadily (1.2 mi, about 4,560 ft).
4. 41:00 The drainage opens Switchbacks with the first views back to town (2.0 mi).
5. 54:30 Steeper, rockier road Loose rock on the wagon grade (2.7 mi, about 4,845 ft).
6. 1:08:00 The slickrock terrace at 3.2 mi Bare rock with the big view — about 5,130 ft, where the loop turns onto the Hangover Trail (the Merry-Go-Round area).
7. 1:21:30 Onto the Hangover Trail Narrow single track along the mesa (3.9 mi, about 5,160 ft).
8. 1:27:10 The Hangover ledge The trail cut into the cliff band with a drop on one side — the exposed section the rating is about (4.1 mi).
9. 1:31:00 Below the pinnacle: slickrock bowls Open rock under the Hangover formation (4.3 mi).
10. 1:35:00 The high point About 5,185 ft at 4.6 mi.
11. 1:42:30 The Cow Pies The rounded slickrock domes (5.0 mi, about 5,100 ft).
12. 1:48:30 Descending the slickrock Friction walking down the domes toward the road (5.2 mi).
13. 1:57:50 The sandy wash crossing Soft sand and a drainage crossing (5.8 mi).
14. 2:15:30 The long walk back below Mitten Ridge Mostly downhill single track (6.7 mi, about 4,935 ft).
15. 2:41:40 Back at the trailhead 8.0 mi on the overlay; the loop closes at about 4,600 ft.

Planning the real hike? Read the full Munds Wagon / Hangover Loop to Cow Pies trail guide for difficulty, parking, permits and route-finding details.