Скачать или смотреть Vultee Arch - Finding solitude in Sedona, Arizona

Vultee Arch - Finding solitude in Sedona, Arizona

I love Sedona. I don't love crowds. On this trip, I went to one of the most popular and crowded hikes in Sedona; Devil's Bridge. There was a line - probably an hour long - to get a picture there. The day before, I visited another natural stone arch and I didn't see another person. Vultee Arch is ironically right down the road from Devil's Bridge. You need a decent off road vehicle to get to the trailhead, but the pay off is solitude. Devil's Bridge is like an amusement park ride; Vultee Arch is a true wilderness experience. You can approach Vultee Arch from two trailheads; the Vultee Arch trailhead at the end of Dry Creek Road (the route I took) or Sterling Pass Trail off the 89. Vultee Arch trailhead is a much rougher road, but easy and flat hike. The Sterling Pass Trail is just off the 89. So it's a paved road, but you have to get up to the pass, which involves a lot of elevation gain. Personally, I think that direction is prettier, even though it's obviously harder.

I guess I've done a third route, taking Vultee's Ladder - a technical canyoneering route - down from Edge of the World. But most people will hike in from Vultee Arch trailhead or Sterling Pass.

However you get there, Vultee Arch is an impressive formation with great views of the surrounding Red Rock wilderness Sedona is so well known for. You can walk out onto the arch or under it. And will probably have it all to yourself.