VULTEE ARCH
Vultee Arch
Sedona, AZ
Vultee Arch Trail is a delightful walk in the woods that climbs slowly but steadily on a gradual incline. You start out in a more open area but soon find yourself passing cypress, oaks, ponderosas, and eventually fir trees. The farther you go into the forest, the richer the soil and denser the vegetation. The trail is shaded very well and so it makes an excellent hike in the hot summer. You’ll cross a creek bed several times, which is typically not a problem because the place is almost always dry. Just be careful not to hike in late afternoon, late summer, when the monsoon flash floods could catch you unaware.
Toward the end of the trail you climb a short distance onto a red rock ledge where you can see the natural arch off to your left. This is an ideal stopping place with beautiful views over the canyon behind you, and huge cliffs off to either side. If you like, you can hike up to the arch or just climb around back here and play.
Since FR152 (the road that leads to the trailhead) is such a bumpy rutted, rocky road, you can only drive to the trailhead if you have a four wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. It would be extremely unwise to attempt it otherwise and you might not make it out! See the directions below.
Don’t forget to read the plaque, and tune into the spirit of the place. Vultee arch is named after Gerard “Jerry” Vultee – a pioneer in the aviation industry – and his wife, Sylvia, whose plane crashed in the area. It seems a fitting transition that he passed out of this world into the next doing what he loved most.
Sitting here contemplating the history and the feeling the utter stillness of the place, I am reminded once again that I will have no regrets if I spend time doing what I love this lifetime.
About the Trail…
Since FR152 (the road that leads to the trailhead) is such a bumpy rutted, rocky road, you can only drive to the trailhead if you have a four wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. It would be extremely unwise to attempt it otherwise and you might not make it out!
If you’d rather not risk hurting your car, and you’re not up for the walk along FR152, you can climb up the Sterling Pass trail, on a steep path to the 6000′ rim, go over the rim, and down another steep forested trail to intersect with Vultee. This is a long, narrow, steep hike with gorgeous views, but once you do it you’re committed to hike up and over again to get back to your car! See directiosn below.
Details…
Directions:
From Phoenix, take I-17 north to Hwy 179 (exit 298). Turn left onto 179 and follow it past the Village of Oak Creek to the Sedona (Burger King) “Y”. Turn left at the “Y” onto West 89A. Take this past most of the town until you see Dry Creek Road. This is just a little way past the Giant Gas Station to the right.
Take Dry Creek Road until you see FR 152 (a well-marked dirt road) on the right. Take FR 152 for about 4.3 miles until the road dead ends into a dirt parking lot. At the end of the lot to the right you will see the trailhead with a sign marked “Vultee Arch #22.”
Note that you can only drive on FR 152 if you have a four wheel drive, high clearance vehicle. Otherwise, you’ll have to walk to the trail head.
An alternate path is to hike Sterling Pass Trail up to the rim and then descent to intersect with the Vultee Arch Trail.
Difficulty:
Fairly Easy from the trailhead, if you have a four wheel drive vehicle to get there. If not, it is a 4.3 mile long hike up FR 152 just to get to the trailhead. Once you’re at the trailhead, the hike is easy – only about 1.6 miles. If you come up the Sterling Pass trail to the rim and go down to Vultee Arch the trail is steep and strenuous.
Things to bring:
Wear hiking shoes or good sneakers and bring water. If you plan to stay awhile bring a lunch and a book. Don’t forget the camera! If you plan to take the Sterling pass route, wear long pants or hike carefully on the narrow path. There are lots of scratchy bushes near the top!
Fees:
Check with the US Forest Service for pass and fee information before your trip. A Red Rock Pass is required for parking in most locations.
Notes from the journal
Sedona got blasted with a vicious rainstorm again just a few days ago and there are signs of the flash flood everywhere. In fact, this normally hard packed dirt is soft and sandy today and the dry creek bed has been widened. The edges of the path are even carved away in some places.
Huge piles of dead tree trunks and branches are everywhere, and there are two foot gorges carved out of the forest hillsides. “What on earth would one do if caught back here?” I kept thinking. Climb a tree and pray, I guess. It must have been a sight. Even the grasses are still bent down and plastered into the soil. This normally gentle canyon must have really seen some action.
However, today I am safe. I emerge from the forest to find that the clouds have dissipated and the arch is shining bright orange-red in the sun. This is always such a sweet spot for a picnic lunch. My favorite flat rock beckons. I sink onto the sunny platform and allow all thoughts of rain wash away. Not another soul is here. Total peace…
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SEDONA QUICK LINKS:
• HIKES
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• SWIMMING
• ATTRACTIONS
• SCENIC DRIVES
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• BODY & SOUL
• VISITOR INFO
• HISTORY
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