The Damaged Arrow Path is called being the most effective 4×4 roads in Sedona. Not solely is it extraordinarily enjoyable to drive however the views alongside the path are superb.
Should you solely have the time for one 4×4 street in Sedona, that is the one which we advocate. This was, by far, our favourite 4WD expertise in Sedona.
With a high-clearance 4WD automobile, you’ll be able to drive this street by yourself. Should you don’t have prior expertise driving 4×4 roads, or if you happen to don’t need the expense of renting a 4×4, you can even be part of a tour.
On this article, we cowl the complete Damaged Arrow route, with photographs and tricks to have the most effective expertise.
Be aware: This isn’t to be confused with the Damaged Arrow mountaineering path. The Damaged Arrow mountaineering path runs parallel to the street and takes hikers and mountain bikers to the identical viewpoints and overlooks. The Damaged Arrow hike is 3 miles round-trip and takes 2 to three hours.
What Kind of Car Do You Want?
To drive the Damaged Arrow Path, it’s essential to have a high-clearance 4WD automobile. Emphasis on the 4WD and the high-clearance. There are giant rocks and ledges that you’ll often should climb and descend, which is among the causes this drive is a lot enjoyable.
We rented a Jeep Rubicon from Barlow Adventures in Sedona. Our Jeep, a vibrant yellow magnificence named “Daisy,” dealt with the hills, rock climbs, and ledges prefer it was nothing. We extremely advocate Barlow Adventures, not solely as a result of their Jeeps are in glorious situation, but in addition as a result of they supply maps and detailed directions on methods to drive these roads (there are numerous roads to select from in Sedona).
Should you don’t need the expense of renting a 4WD automobile (leases can value $300+ per day) then you’ll be able to be part of a Pink Jeep tour.
What Form of Expertise Do You Want?
In case you are new to driving 4×4 roads, I’d advocate skipping Damaged Arrow.
This path is rated as adventurous/very exhausting and it’s not an excellent street to drive if in case you have by no means executed one thing like this earlier than.
Nonetheless, there are numerous simpler roads in Sedona to start out off on, such because the Outlaw Path and Schnebly Hill. When you get comfy on these roads, you’ll be able to improve the issue degree, and your 4X4 expertise, on Troopers Cross and Diamondback Gulch. Should you deal with these with ease, then you’ll be able to drive the Damaged Arrow Path.
Barlow Adventures additionally provides classes by licensed instructors.
Should you don’t have the time, or the cash, to hire a 4WD automobile for a number of days, then think about taking a Pink Jeep tour.
The Damaged Arrow Path
Distance: 4 miles
Size of Time: 2 hours
Problem: Very Arduous
Here’s a detailed description of the Damaged Arrow Path, with detours to quick hikes and overlooks.
Be aware: A few of these mile markers have been taken from the map supplied by Barlow Adventures. Their maps and driving directions are superior and a giant cause why we advocate renting your 4×4 from them.
Please apply the seven rules of Depart No Hint: plan forward, keep on the path, pack out what you carry, correctly get rid of waste, go away areas as you discovered them, decrease campfire impacts, be thoughtful of different hikers and guests, and don’t strategy or feed wildlife.
Begin of the Path
To get to the Damaged Arrow Path, take Morgan Street east from Freeway 179.
Morgan Street dead-ends on the Damaged Arrow 4WD street and the parking zone for the Damaged Arrow trailhead.
Cross the “velocity bump” onto the 4WD street and put your automobile into 4L. In case your automobile had a tough time clearing this velocity bump, flip round now. There are a lot larger obstacles on this drive.
The velocity bump
0.2 miles: “Final Probability” Climb
The primary 0.2 miles of the drive is on a straightforward, sandy street. On the 0.2 mile mark you meet your first impediment, a climb up a ledge that’s typically referred to as the “go-no-go” rock. In case your automobile has a tough time clearing this impediment, flip round now.
0.3 miles: Satan’s Eating Room Sinkhole
At 0.3 miles, you’ll be able to take very quick detour to the fitting and hike to the Satan’s Eating Room, a sinkhole. We skipped this as a result of we have been excited to get to the “good things.”
0.6 miles: One-Approach Break up
The street forks at this level. Observe the arrow and go to the fitting.
1 mile: Begin of the Loop
On the one mile level, the street turns into a one-way loop. Keep to the left to proceed on the one-way loop. Should you look to your proper, you will note “The Stairs,” which come on the finish of the loop.
1.1 miles: Detour to Submarine Rock
Take the detour to the left to go to Submarine Rock. On this very quick spur path, you’ll descend down right into a wash after which drive up the opposite aspect over giant rocks and boulders. It’s a whole lot of enjoyable even if you happen to don’t plan on strolling up onto Submarine Rock.
The street to Submarine Rock
Should you do select to stroll up on Submarine Rock, park your automobile close to the bottom of the rock after which stroll up onto the rock for nice views out to Sedona. This detour takes about 15 to twenty minutes and is price the additional time.
Why is it Referred to as Submarine Rock? Out of your vantage level now, this simply seems like an enormous slab of orange slickrock. Later within the drive, as you climb larger, you’ll look out over Submarine Rock. From the upper elevation, it actually does appear to be a submarine.
The view from Submarine Rock
From Submarine Rock, you even have an amazing view of the remainder of the drive. I labeled the principle landmarks on the loop.
The street coming again down from Submarine Rock
2.0 miles: Rooster Level Overlook
From the Submarine Rock detour, flip left to proceed on the loop. At 1.6 miles, this street turns into a two-way street, as you strategy Rooster Level, so hold a lookout for oncoming autos.
The street to Rooster Level
As soon as at Rooster Level, park your automobile and benefit from the view. This was a busy spot once we have been right here, with Pink Jeep excursions, hikers, and mountain bikers, all having fun with the view.
Rooster Level
2.5 miles: Mushroom Rock
Drive again in the direction of the loop after which keep left to proceed on the loop. Visitors turns into one-way once more.
Drive up onto the ledge and circle round Mushroom Rock, one of many coolest elements of this drive. It’s some of the distinctive round-abouts you’ll ever drive.
2.6 miles: The Slide
That is non-compulsory, however simply past Mushroom Rock is a big incline you can drive up. Should you select not to do that, comply with the decrease street across the incline. Listed below are photographs of Tim driving up The Slide.
You possibly can come down the identical means or you’ll be able to drive the gentler incline on the aspect of The Slide.
From The Slide, you even have an amazing view of Mushroom Rock and Submarine Rock.
Mushroom Rock
Submarine Rock
This quick stretch of drive, from Mushroom Rock to The Stairs, is attractive and plenty of enjoyable to drive, because the street weaves up and down small hills and rock ledges.
3.0 miles: The Stairs
The Stairs are some of the technically difficult sections of the Damaged Arrow Path. The Stairs is a 50 meter hill that’s plagued by boulders, therefore the identify “The Stairs.”
If you find yourself sitting within the automobile, perched on the prime of the hill, it’s so steep you can’t even actually see the street till you begin to drive down it.
To the fitting is a big boulder. We have been instructed to remain 3 to five inches off of this boulder as we began the drive down the street. Right here is the view from the highest of the steps.
Wanting down The Stairs. Be aware the massive boulder on the fitting hand aspect of the street.
As Tim drove down The Stairs, I took a number of photographs and listed below are among the greatest. I believe I walked extra of the Damaged Arrow Path, photographing it, than driving alongside it. 🤣
Take your time happening the steps. Tim stored his foot on the brake and eased the Jeep down little by little.
As soon as on the backside of The Stairs, flip left to finish the loop and retrace the street to the exit. From The Stairs, it’s a one-mile drive to get to the tip of the street.
Our Ideas on the Damaged Arrow Path
We cherished this drive. Particularly Tim, who preferred it a lot we virtually did it twice. It’s technically difficult, with the drives up and down the rock ledges, The Stairs, and the non-compulsory drive up The Slide. Plus, the views are superb.
This is among the hottest 4X4 roads in Sedona, so it was busy, however since a pleasant chunk of the drive is one-way, we didn’t have to tug off of the street fairly often to permit oncoming site visitors to cross.
If you wish to drive on one 4×4 street in Sedona, the Damaged Arrow Path will get our vote. Simply be sure you have a high-clearance 4WD automobile and prior expertise.
That is considered one of six 4WD roads that we drove whereas in Sedona. To study extra, try our Information to the 4WD Roads in Sedona.
Essential Issues to Know Earlier than You Go
Earlier than you go, get updates on the climate. Some parts of this route could also be impassable when moist.
Know your driving expertise. Be sure you are comfy maneuvering a automobile over tough rocky surfaces. And be sure you are comfy ascending and descending slim tough roads in reverse in case you come throughout oncoming autos.
Earlier than beginning any of the foremost ascents and descents, scout the street for oncoming autos first.
Know methods to change a tire…simply in case.
Should you like the thought of driving the Damaged Arrow Path, one other epic 4WD drive to think about is the White Rim Street in Canyonlands Nationwide Park. This 100 mile street loops across the Island within the Sky Mesa and it’s considered one of our favourite experiences within the US Nationwide Parks.
