Vultee Arch Trail
State: Arizona
Location: Coconino National Forest
Length, Round Trip: 3.5 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 4500 feet
Elevation Change: 600 feet
Best Season: Year-Round
Difficulty: Easy
Usage: Heavy
Trail Information
A short, easy hike along the bottom of Sterling Canyon. The drainage is dry most of the year. Shade is available, but it would be wise to carry some water in the warm months. The trail dead-ends at a bronze plaque place in memoriam for Gerard and Sylvia Vultee who lost their lives in an aircraft crash on January 29, 1938. The actual crash site is more than a mile north and at a much higher elevation, on East Picket Mesa. On the north side of the canyon across from the plaque is the sandstone arch named for Vultee, an early aircraft designer from California. Just before the plaque site there is a junction with the Sterling Pass Trail which continues over into Oak Creek Canyon.
Directions
From Flagstaff:
Drive 27 miles south from Flagstaff to Sedona on Arizona Highway 89A. Continue through Sedona to Dry Creek Road (152C) at the west end of town. Turn right on Dry Creek Road and drive for two miles to Forest Road 152. This road is rough, but can be traveled by passenger vehicles. It is not recommended during wet weather. About 4.3 miles up this road you will reach a small sandy opening or turn-a-round. Park here and proceed hiking out the east end of the opening along a short jeep trail which dead-ends at a drainage. Continue on the foot path up the canyon.
