Mescal Trail - Sedona, AZ :: Question by Jillyfish

[Jillyfish]

Trying to put together a hike in April to Devils Bridge in Sedona. Can we drive a normal car to the Mescal Trailhead? Do you know how far a round trip hike from Mescal Trailhead to Devil's Bridge and back would be - approximately. Have a "full" day that day, but would love to see the arch. THANK YOU very much for your time in responding. ~ Jilly from IL

[joebartels]

@Jillyfish
Hello & welcome to HAZ,

Yes it's paved to Mescal Trailhead.
This map gives distance info https://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=4546

[trekkin_gecko]

I did this exact thing
here's my https://hikearizona.com/map.php?GPS=25765
had a rental car at the time
no issues

[nonot]

Mescal to Devil's Bridge is no problem for a car and fun to hike.

[Jillyfish]

@joebartels
Thanks tons for the info. 10 of us flying into Phoenix to go to Havasu Reservation. Thought we'd do a hike in Sedona as we travel that way. Do you suggest any other hike of comparable distance/time? Still want to hit Jerome and will be ending in Prescott that night. Really appreciate this site!

[Jillyfish]

@joebartels
Hi Joe! In a "regular car" can you drive from Sedona to Forest Road 152 and park on the side of the road and hike into Devil's Bridge in Sedona? (I am hearing I probably can't get the the Devils Bridge Trailhead by low-clearance car.) Wondering if we'll have time to do a 4 mile hike from the Mescal Trailhead. So, if we could make that hike a tad shorter, that would be great. I value your opinion, thanks!

[joebartels]

I am hearing I probably can't get the the Devils Bridge Trailhead by low-clearance car.

That is correct for the majority of cars. The parking area at the beginning of FS152 has a large berm type speed bump to keep low cars from entering. They figure if you can negotiate the berm then you can negotiate the road. Most will see it and say forget it. The issue with the road is that it is very rocky.

Mescal is the shortest option
3.8 mi RT • 665 ft

The parking area at the beginning of FS152
4.1 mi RT • 535 ft

[Jillyfish]

Can you park on the side of FS152 and hike in? Or is that not permitted?

[joebartels]

@Jillyfish
there is a large parking area about 0.2 miles into FS 152

When full people are currently parking on Dry Creek Road

This may change, keep an eye out for no parking signs

[Jillyfish]

So confused - my map shows FR 152 and Dry Creek and Vultee Arch as all the SAME road - so I can't visualize where the photo is of Dry Creek and FR 152 intersection. So, it does look like we could drive up to the road that turns to the Devils Bridge TH and park on the side of the road....no? Otherwise we would need to park at the lot you show and hike up the road a bit? Thanks for helping me understand. Appreciate your patience!

[joebartels]

my map shows FR 152 and Dry Creek and Vultee Arch as all the SAME road - so I can't visualize where the photo is of Dry Creek and FR 152 intersection.

Dry Creek = FS 152 = Vultee Arch

Dry Creek ( FS 152 ) turns right. It says Vultee Arch as that is the final destination on Dry Creek/FS152.

Boynton Pass Road = FS 152C

with mileage version