AZ Ratings

Well, I guess it's about time I weighed in since no one else is doing it. I'll take care of the Sedona/Verde Valley area.

The trails in this area are mostly moderate, but there are some higher end challenges as well (especially Smiley Rock and Smasher/Brutal Canyons). The main appeal of the area is that there are a large number of trails from 2.0 to 4.0 all within a localized area so you can chain a few together and make a full day out it for rigs from stock all the way up to fully built. If you enjoy moderate wheeling in the 2-3 range with some of the most fantastic scenery available, you could spend months up here. I know. I have.

The other benefit to the area is that almost all the wheeling is on Coconino or Prescott National Forest land, which is public land, and offers a ton of other recreation. Camping is abundant. Oak Creek and the Verde River offer fishing, as well as Kayaking on the Verde. There are loads of free public areas to shoot anywhere from 5 yards to 500 or more. There's tons of rock climbing in the area and you can't go a mile without tripping over a hiking trail. If you need a break from wheeling, there are plenty of other things to fold into the trip.

PLEASE NOTE: SEVERAL OF THESE TRAILS REQUIRE A RED ROCK PASS TO *PARK*, BUT NOT TO *DRIVE*. Red Rock Passes can be purchased at several areas in Sedona for $5 a day or $20-$40 annual depending on access. More information is available from the USFS website here. They are sold at just about every gas station and grocery store in Sedona as well as from the Chamber of Commerce building and the Red Rock Ranger District office.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ACQUIRING THE FOREST SERVICE MOTOR VEHICLE USE MAPS FOR COCONINO AND PRESCOTT NATIONAL FORESTS. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE TRAILS ARE FS ROADS, SOME ARE NOT EASILY ACCESSED FROM HIGHWAY, AND GETTING LOST IN CERTAIN AREAS IS EASY. HERE IS THE USFS PAGE FOR MVUM DOWNLOADS. THEY'RE FREE.

All that said, let's hit it:

Coconino FR 761, 525, 258 aka "The Arteries" - 2.0 - 30 to 60 min each.
They're not officially called "the arteries", but that's what I call 'em because these three are 90% 1.0 with occasional patches of 2.0, 2-3 lanes in most places, navigable by any stock automobile other than maybe ultra low clearance sports cars. They're no challenge, but they allow quick getting-around from one Coconino trail to the next. You need to know 'em.

Directions: Arizona State Highway 89 between Cottonwood and Sedona - 761 (Bill Gray Rd) and 525 (Loy Butte Rd) branch directly off the paved highway. FR 258 branches off of FR 761 about 6 miles in at an obvious, signed intersection.


Coconino FR 179 aka Broken Arrow Trail - 3.5 - 1 to 2 hours.
Probably Sedona's best known trail. A fun moderate for built rigs. Stock rigs can make it through, but a few sections (primarily the slabs, mushroom rock, and the staircase) are best bypassed otherwise damage is likely to a stock vehicle. A quick google will give you all the pictures you'd need to decide if you want to tangle with it. Be aware that though this is a forest service road and public thoroughfare, it is one of the most popular routes for Sedona's local Pink Jeep Tours offroad tour company and recommended by all the local 4x4 and ATV rental companies. It's also in close proximity to several hiking trails. It can be somewhat crowded, especially on weekends. Come prepared to play nice with others.

Directions: Highway 179 in Sedona AZ to Morgan Road, which dead ends into the trail. Signage is obvious.


Coconino FR 152A to FR9513 aka Greasy Spoon aka Diamondback Gulch - 3.0 - 1 to 1.5 hours.
Another well-known area moderate. Less technical for the grade, but has several steep hill descents and climbs with loose surface - armor isn't as important as traction aids and knowing how to use momentum. Wide most of the way through - a good choice for larger groups. Some optional harder sections.

Directions: Highway 89 to FR 525 to FR 152C to FR 152A, which begins the trail. Trail becomes FR 9513 partway through. 9513 connects back to FR 525, so some opt to run in reverse.


Coconino FR 9551 to 9549 aka Outlaw Trail - 3.0 - 1 to 1.5 hours.
Lesser known, but worth doing. A great choice for stock vehicles as obstacles are difficult enough that stockers have to pick their lines, but no so difficult that a mistake means damage. Most obstacles have bypasses. Built rigs will just have a casual romp. Trail can finish on FR 9549 (recommended) or 9549M, or 9549B. Choosing one of the alternatives may get you to your next destination a little more quickly. Difficulty is the same through all.

Directions: Highway 89 to FR 525. To run the trail North to South (recommended), take 525 all the way to the end to the Forest Service Honaki Heritage site. Trail starts on FR 9551 just past the pit toilet of this site. To run south to north, enter FR 9549 or FR 9549M from FR 525 on the way up. Trail will end at Honaki Heritage site/525.


Coconino FR 9513 West Section aka "The Pipeline" - 3.5 - 30 to 60 minutes.
No official name that I know of for this trail, but I've taken to calling it The Pipeline because it follows a buried natural gas pipe its entire length - or so trailside markers tell me. This one is for the hill climbers and short but sweet. No more than a mile, but crosses three ravines with steep descents to enter and exit and washes at the bottom. Hills are loose powder dirt and scree with a few rock shelfs thrown in for good measure. Approach and departure angles can get tricky at the bottom of the ravines. No bypasses on this one, and no way out of those ravines except the hill climbs - once you're in it, you're in it to win it. Traction aids recommended.

Directions: A bit tricky. State highway 89 to FR 761 (Bill Gray Rd). Branch off on to FR 258 at obvious intersection. Pass FR 258A on the right (a nice hill climb) but do not take it. You will soon see signed FR 9513 on your left. Trail can be run in either direction and difficulty is the same.


Coconino FR 9845A to 9845N aka Cliffhanger aka Oak Creek Homestead - 3.0 - 1 to 2 hours.
This one is a great choice for campers/fishers. Majority 2.0 with two brief (~100 yards) sections of 3.0, this trail deposits you in a flat grassy meadow creekside of Oak Creek which is a great picnic/camping/break spot. Oak Creek runs year round and, check with local rangers, but I believe is fishable along its entire length so long as you have a valid license. The descent to Oak Creek near the finish the is the most difficult part - high clearance helpful but not absolutely mandatory with good driving skills.

The trail does fork about 50% through - take the right hand fork (9845N) for the Oak Creek destination. The left hand fork (9845) continues at a 2.0-3.0 level for about a mile before depositing you on (paved) Lower Red Rock Loop Rd. just south of Sedona.

Directions: North on Highway 89, FR 9845A is directly across the highway from the Page Springs Fish Hatchery and is accessed directly from the highway.


Coconino FR 153 aka Schnebly Hill Road - 2.0 - 2 to 4 hours.
Schnebly is Sedona's "Off Highway Highway" and vies with Broken Arrow and Vultee Arch trails for the title of most crowded thoroughfare in the area. This route has many pull offs for hiking, rock climbing, and mountain biking trailheads and is popular with 4x4 tours. It is always 2 lanes wide, expanding to 4 lanes in some places. The driving is not challenging, but running the trail from south to north is one of the most scenic 4x4 routes in Sedona, hence the popularity. There are many areas to stop along the trail and clamber to the top of nearby rock outcrops for fantastic views of Sedona and the Verde Valley beyond. The trail slowly ascends on to the Colorado Plateau at over 7000ft elevation, so the vistas only get better as you go. The trail is 12 miles long and you will be stopping frequently to take in the views - allow a solid half day.

Directions: Highway 89 into Sedona. Exit the traffic circle onto highway 179. The next traffic circle has a clearly signed exit on to Schnebly Hill Road. Pavement terminates after about a half mile.


Coconino FR 152 aka Vultee Arch Trail - 3.0 - 1 to 1.5 hours.
Vultee Arch is a moderate trail, very wide (2-3 lanes almost the entire way through), with a few rough patches but mostly novice-friendly 4x4 driving. This trail is very heavily traveled as both a 4x4 trail and a foot hike, as it allows access to the popular Devil's Bridge rock formation and, further in, Brins Mesa Trailhead, a popular hike. Prepare for a block-party like atmosphere on weekends.

Directions: Highway 89 into Sedona. Left on to Dry Creek Road. After about a mile, Vultee Arch will be a right hand turn. Pavement terminates after about a quarter mile with a barrier for low-clearance vehicles and signage noting unmaintained road conditions.


Coconino FR 9904 aka Soldier's Pass - 3.0 - 1 to 1.5 hours.
Rather short (about a mile one way), this trail still manages to recommend itself because of the very easy access and the fact that you will run it both ways as it dead ends and requires exit by retracing entry. Also, there are a few interesting sites to stop at along the way including a large sinkhole with informative displays placed by the Forest Service and the "Seven Pools" rock/water formation.

Directions: Highway 89 into Sedona, then make a left onto Soldier Pass Rd (paved at this point). Follow it to an intersection with Shadow Rock Drive and make a right (*do not* take the earlier left on to Shadow Rock Dr - pass it and continue). Shadow Rock Dr will shortly become Canyon Shadows Drive. Access to the trail is on the left, marked by a small brown sign. It's easy to miss, look carefully.


Coconino FS Trail 88 aka Smasher Canyon/Brutal Canyon - 4.5/5.0 - 4 to 6 hours
This is the area's big dog - Smasher Canyon is at the limit of what a fully armored, lifted, modified Tacoma/FJ can successfully do. It essentially follows a wash for a couple miles through very tight rock obstacles. Armor will be used frequently. I received body damage when I ran it (it has the name for a reason). This trip report from 4wheeler will give you an idea of what you're getting into. If you attempt Smasher Canyon, go with a group of capable drivers in capable rigs, bring appropriate spare parts and tools to effect trail repairs, and be aware that body damage is likely. Due to difficulty and frequency of obstacles, it's quite possible to spend a full day on the trail and get caught by nightfall if there is a breakage. Come prepared.

Brutal Canyon is a nearby 5.0 wash of the same type but more extreme. It is impassable for all but buggies and frequently rejects even those.

Directions: Tricky. Access FR 258 from the back end by taking highway 89 into Cottonwood and then exiting on to Main Street. Follow Main Street through Old Town (downtown) Cottonwood and continue as it eventually becomes South Broadway/Clarkdale Highway. Turn right onto Tuzigoot Road (clear signs for Tuzigoot Monument), then left onto Sycamore Canyon Rd. Pavement will terminate after about 1 mile on Sycamore Canyon Rd - continue on graded dirt until FR 258 appears on the right (about 15-20 min, just under 6mi). Turn on to FR 258 and follow until FR 9519 appears on the right. Follow FR 9519 to the start of Smasher Canyon - warning sign is present at entrance to Smasher.


That's all for now (I'm tired of typing). Later I'll do Mingus Mountain and some of the trails in Prescott NF East. I haven't had a chance to explore those areas as thoroughly yet, so more updates will arrive as I have time to wander around.

 

I think your buggy needs to go do smasher canyon. Ill ride along and spot.

 

Found this smasher video. Looks pretty gnar for sure. This one may have to wait until i have bumpers done this summer.

 

Slider saves!

 

Looks like fun!

 

jandrews... thanks so much for your write up on the Verde Valley. I'm new to this area (recent relocation from NE) and very intrigued by all the off road opportunities. Just purchased a taco TRD off-road specifically to play in the dirt. Do you by chance have knowledge of trails in the Mingus area? Do you know of any meet ups to go off road in the V V area

 

That's an awesome description of the Sedona area trails. I'll be headed to the Grand Canyon this Saturday and then to Sedona to camp somewhere that night. I'd prefer a short 1-2hr max off road trip too to get to a good campsite. I was thinking of doing Broken Arrow but was unsure of its camping opportunities. Based off of @jandrews post above, that Oak Creek Homestead trail may be a good option to find a campsite for the Saturday night.

Anyone have any input for a moderate (3.0), short (2 hours max) trail in Sedona with plenty of camping opportunities?

 

That's an awesome description of the Sedona area trails. I'll be headed to the Grand Canyon this Saturday and then to Sedona to camp somewhere that night. I'd prefer a short 1-2hr max off road trip too to get to a good campsite. I was thinking of doing Broken Arrow but was unsure of its camping opportunities. Based off of @jandrews post above, that Oak Creek Homestead trail may be a good option to find a campsite for the Saturday night
Broken Arrow is a great 4x4 or hiking trail, but not one to camp at. Being new to this area,I'm no expert on the rules relative to where camping is allowed or not,but I've never seen anyone camp in that area and I've hiked it many times. It's also crazy busy especially on the w/e so you'd likely not enjoy the area for that anyway. I have seen folks camping in various areas up Schnebly Hill rd which is not far from BA but not nearly the 4x4 challenge.

 

Its been really nice in the early AM hours and our days are numbered until it really gets hot. I have the urge to get out this weekend for a bit.

Perhaps early Sunday?

@4Running Daily @justlookin @05TacoRunner
@RPS1030 @MaverickTRD

 

Pretty sure Sunday is Mother's Day

 

Yeah I am down. I am free all weekend. Where are you thinking of going?

 

Dont know, this is just a feeler. I didnt realize its moms day.

Let me see what Gaia wants to do. If she wants a day to herself than ill go out. Otherwise maybe ill drive them up to the rim for the day.

 

@iJonny did you still want to go wheeling? Or have you made plans?

 

Family stuff mang. Maybe next weekend.

 

No worries.

 

Found this over on ih8mud and wanted to share.
There is a forum fixing 42 near Bartlett and I think come November we make a run.

This one will be technical, no doubt.

http://www.tontorecreationalliance.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=160

 

That looks like an awesome trail.

 

It was no joke, not many rocks but it was so washed out on the trail there were parts you could park and crawl on all 4s under the truck when i did it early 2000.

 

Nice write up.

 

Dunno if you've seen this but some useful information maybe that could be combined

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tw-official-points-of-interest-thread.170770/