Description
Dry Creek Road is an easy and relaxed trail with multiple hiking outlets to great scenic points, and the historical Van Deren Cabin. It can be easily traveled by most unmodified 4x4's, with a minimal chance of undercarriage damage, any lifted vehicle should have no problems here. This trail is wide enough in most areas to easily get around oncoming traffic.
Waypoints
1. Trailhead Start
(0 mi)
After turning right towards the East to remain on Dry Creek Road, you will follow a short paved road that will pass a trail parking lot, remain straight past the parking lot until the road turns to dirt. This is the start of the trail.
2. Scenic Lookout
(0.3 mi)
On the left towards the West is a small incline, follow the incline to view the scenic lookout. There is a turn-around once you reach the top of the incline.
3. Chuckwagon Trail
(0.4 mi)
Chuckwagon hiking trailhead starts here on the West side of the trail. It is not recommended to park your vehicle here to start the hike, instead park at the parking lot at the trail start and head to Chuckwagon Trail on foot.
4. Devil's Bridge Hiking Trail
(1.1 mi)
This is the highlight hiking trail of this route, turn right towards the East into the small parking area and hike roughly 1 mile uphill on the Devil's Bridge Trail to reach the Bridge. Great views from the top!
5. Dry Creek Crossing
(2.1 mi)
Small dry creek crossing here, continue with caution while raining or during monsoon season.
6. Stay Left Van Deren Cabin
(2.1 mi)
Stay left here and head West to follow FS-9917 to visit the Van Deren Cabin.
7. Dry Creek Crossing
(2.4 mi)
Use caution here while raining or during monsoon season!
8. Tight Left Turn
(2.4 mi)
Take a tight left turn here to remain on the trail.
9. Van Deren Cabin Homestead
(2.5 mi)
The historic Van Deren Cabin is comprised of two hand-hewn log cabins joined together with a metal roof. Although the cabin site is surrounded by private ranch land, the cabin is owned by the Forest Service and is open to the public. Jeep tours regularly visit the cabin. This was the site for the Robert Mitchum film "Blood on the Moon".
10. Optional Vultee Arch Trail
(2.8 mi)
Optionally instead of returning back, you may turn left here to head North and continue towards the Vultee Arch hiking trail on FS-152.
11. Scenic Lookout
(2.8 mi)
Take a left here to the West up a small incline for a view of the scenic lookout.
12. Brins Mesa Trail
(2.9 mi)
This is the starting point of Brin's Mesa hiking trail, there is a small area here to park if you wish to hike, please be mindful of where you park as to not obstruct traffic.
13. Seven Canyons Scenic Overlook
(3 mi)
Take a small detour left towards Seven Canyons Scenic Overlook for a view of the mountains and Seven Canyons Resort.
14. Secret Canyon Trailhead
(3.9 mi)
Take a left here towards the West and downhill towards a small parking area for the Secret Canyon trailhead.
15. Vultee Arch Hiking Trail
(4.8 mi)
You will reach a turnaround point here where you may park and hike towards Vultee Arch(Roughly 4 miles round-trip). Please be mindful of where you park to not obstruct traffic.
16. End Trail
(4.8 mi)
Once you've reached the turnaround point, you will have reached the end of the trail, continue the way you came on FS-152 to return back to Sedona.
