Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Devil’s Bridge/Vultee Arch Day Hike

when	Trip Report : April 18, 2009
	Trip Report : May 1, 2004
where	Sedona – Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness
the hike	We have hiked these two trails as separate hikes in years past, but with the trailheads so close together, it only makes sense to combine them into one day hike to two of Sedona’s most spectacular and popular landmarks. Devil’s Bridge is the largest of the natural arches found in the Sedona area. Vultee Arch is named after early aviation pioneer Gerald Vultee, who was killed nearby in a plane crash with his wife, Sylvia, in 1938.     The first half mile of the Devil’s Bridge Trail follows an abandoned jeep trail – wide and fairly level. The trail begins to climb and gets steeper, as we get closer to the bridge. Three quarters of a mile in, we will come to a fork in the trail. The path to the left goes through a wash and some heavy brush, before emerging under the bridge about 50 feet directly overhead. The right hand path will take us up to a steep, natural rock staircase that will provide us with more spectacular views of the bridge. If we wish to continue on, the trail will eventually take us right out onto the bridge itself, where we can walk across, and then up above the bridge for one last view looking down on this impressive arch.     The Vultee Arch Trail is under tree cover and provides shade for almost the entire distance to the arch, although the arch itself is not as easily accessible as Devil’s Bridge. This trail also climbs and gains more elevation, as we get nearer to the arch, crossing a normally dry creekbed several times. About 1.5 miles from the trailhead we will reach a signed junction with the Sterling Pass Trail, which forks to the right. We will take the left fork and follow the rock cairns up to a large bare rock bench, where a brass plaque commemorates Vultee and his wife. The arch itself is only a few hundred feet away from here, but requires some serious bushwhacking through thick, heavy brush to actually reach. We will stop here for a rest and lunch break and take a few pictures, before returning on the same route.
distance	Devil’s Bridge: 1.6 miles RT.    Vultee Arch: 3.4 miles RT.
EC	+-270' (Devil’s Bridge), +-610' (Vultee Arch)
time	4-5 hours
elevations	4590' (Devil’s Bridge Trailhead) to 5410' (Vultee Arch)
on trail	95% — Devil’s Bridge Trail, Vultee Arch Trail
rating	"C"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs?	no
cost	Sharing gas expenses with the driver. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5/non-member
weather	Sedona
meet in Phoenix	7:00 AM in the Fry’s parking lot on the SW corner of I-17 & Bell Road. Park behind Denny’s, near the entrance to the Deer Valley Park & Ride.
meet in Sedona	8:45 AM at the Red Rock Ranger District Visitor Center, 8375 State Route 179, just south of the Village of Oak Creek. Call 928-203-7500 or 928-203-2900 for directions. 34° 45.462' N, 111° 45.826' W [NAD27]
drive	•  On Interstate 17, go north to the Highway 179 turnoff to Sedona. • Seven miles north on Highway 179 we will stop at the ranger station. • From the "Y" intersection of Arizona 179 and 89A in the center of Sedona, drive west for 3.1 miles on 89A to Dry Creek Road. • Turn right (north) and proceed two miles to Vultee Arch Road (FR 152). • Make a right turn here and head northeast for another 1.3 miles to the Devil’s Bridge Trailhead. • The Vultee Arch Trailhead is reached by driving another 3.0 miles beyond the Devil’s Bridge turnoff. • Forest Road 152 can be rough and washboard in places, depending on the weather and how recently it was graded, but if dry it may be passable by ordinary passenger vehicles. • 110 miles from Bell Road to Vultee Arch Trailhead (220 round trip).

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