Forming a natural divide between State Route 179 and the hyperbusy trails that loop the iconic Bell Rock in the Village of Oak Creek, Arizona, the north-south running ridge line known as the Seven Warriors is home to a pair of trails known for their edge-hugging exposure.
The Hiline Trail that’s part of the Yavapai Vista Trail System scoots along the ridge line’s eastern slopes while the newer Transept Trail traces the less congested western side.
There are several ways to access the user-created route that was adopted by the U.S. Forest Service in 2018. The most direct way to is begin at the small trailhead along Verde Valley School Road. This less aggressive approach offers a more gradual, smoother gradient than its east side counterpart as well as equally heady views.
Although some slippery loose rock, tricky turns and short sections with stomach-churning deep drop-offs require extra effort and steady nerves, the payoff of hiking close to the edge is unobstructed vistas of Cathedral Rock, House Mountain and the flood plains of Oak Creek.
The Transept Trail ends at the 3.2-mile point where it connects with the Hiline Trail. From this high-point junction on the nose of a beveled rock jetty with 360-degree views, there are several ways to extend the hike or make a long loop. Consult the forest service map for details.
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I am Jeff Clark, founder of Internet Brothers, producer of this blog, and passionate about hiking. I live in Western NC near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are just out my door, so the content will focus on these areas, but let me know what you would like to see on the site. 
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