Vultee's Arch and Sterling Pass Trails

Vultee's Arch-Sterling Canyon Trails 2009-03-15: Over the weekend, we decided to hike Vultee’s Arch and Sterling Pass Trails to enjoy the gorgeous sunny skies but stay protected from the nippy breeze. We started at Vultee’s Arch Trailhead, veering up Sterling Pass Trail without stopping to visit the arch (which is very close to the trail junction). We noticed a couple explorers scrambling high on the redrock formation at the end of Vultee’s Arch Trail, and considered doing some exploring and scrambling, but opted to head up for the view instead. Sterling Pass Trail on the west side of the pass is simply gorgeous, heavily forested with towering trees, soaring cliffs, and colorful redrock formations. This may be one of the prettiest section of forest in the Red Rock District (definitely in our top 5). We hiked up to a point just short of the pass, where a path leads to a viewpoint on a clifftop. We ate our lunch enjoying the view, then headed back the way we came.

Hiking report
All the photos from this hike
Sterling Pass Trail photos, information, and maps
Vultee's Arch Trail photos, information, and maps

TO TRAILHEAD: Dry Creek Road (152C) at the west end of Sedona. Turn right on Dry Creek Road and drive for two miles to Forest Road 152. 4.3 miles to trailhead parking at end of road.