Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Devil's Bridge

Distant Drums RV Resort
Camp Verde, AZ
April 21, 2014

From Sedona, we drove about 3 miles west on 89A , turned right onto Dry Creek Road, and made another right onto Road 152...to a little piece of heaven.


 The first little bit of 152 is a paved road. There is a parking area with restrooms and trailheads on the left. The paved road turns into a bumpy road rated moderate in our 4-Wheel-Drive Trail Guide. It was an easy road to traverse with only a few rocky spots. What made this short 2.7 miles to the Devil's Bridge Trailhead extra sweet were the views around every turn and over every hill.
 
 
Devil's Bridge Trail is a short 2 mile hike in and out. But don't be fooled, it is quite a workout...what it lacks in length, it  makes up for in elevation gain. The trail and natural bridge are located in the Red Rock Secret Mountain Wilderness. It is open only for hikers...no horses, bikers, or ATVs.

The trail starts out wide. It is an old jeep trail. 
We did pass by Balanced Rock...






As the trail narrows,the rocks formed natural steps to help climb up the cliff face...a total of 362 feet up!  We didn't mind making a few extra stops...my camera was clicking away!













And then the "WOW!"...Devil's Bridge.




Tah-dah!





I had the whole bridge to myself!




















It was a perfect day...
I don't know what this bird is...do you? What a beauty!















The weather in Sedona has been absolutely wonderful with cool nights and warm days. We are enjoying every minute!













Until next time, take care and...

enjoy!







18 comments:

  1. There is definitely some gorgeous areas to enjoy around there. It looks like you're doing your best to do just that! WOW is right!

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    1. I wasn't even scared! The bridge is a lot wider than it looks! Lucky for us there were only a couple of other folks there!

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  2. I really want to follow in your footsteps. The pictures are just great!

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    1. Well, you just come right along! This is definitely a place we will revisit...

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  3. I have to agree with that WOW. Absolutely breath taking. And nobody else there - that's about perfect.

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    1. I know.....a lucky day for sure Sandie! I just sat right down and had a fun time with the camera!

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  4. Such beautiful scenery and awesome photos, thanks for sharing.

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  5. The scenery is stunning. So nice you could have all of it to yourselves. I do wonder though, what range of temps are you having at this time of year?

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    1. Good morning Gayle...I think Spring is the perfect time to be in Sedona.....lows are 45-50 and highs are 75-79. We haven't hit the 80 yet, but I expect we will before we leave. A cold front is forecast for the weekend with rain. I can't wait. The wildflowers will be even more beautiful.

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  6. How about a brown-crested flycatcher??

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    1. I was hoping you would come to our rescue Judy. Thank you ! He is certainly appropriately named is he not ?

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  7. Love, love this place!!! This is one of those hikes that is very long if you don't have a 4x4 to get to the trailhead which makes it nice and uncrowded. Thanks for taking me back!! I have several of those photos:)

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    1. We might have passed up on this hike if we had not been able to go on the dirt road...I agree that getting to the trailhead by jeep is much better!

      Devil's Bridge will certainly go down in the book as one of our best "WOW" destinations!

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  8. Wow, Beautiful, I would be like you too, on top of the Devils Bridge. Love it!

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    1. It was for sure a great sense of "I did it!" MonaLiza.

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  9. Tah-Dah--indeed! What a beautiful hike. Sedona is sure a special place. Your joie de vivre is contagious. I love that you are even looking forward to the rain.

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  10. WOW, what a beautiful hike and stunning photos! Wish I was there!

    I have been looking up the flycatcher, beautiful photo. What throws me is the cinnamon-rufous edged primaries. There is a bird that does occasionally visit AZ and it is called Nutting's Flycatcher.. It looks like your photo, but the books state that you can only tell the Brown and Ash-throated from this one by its call and a visual mark of orange in its mouth lining. Do you have any other photos if so take a look at the base of its bill, the color of the crown and color of the tail feathers.

    Either way great find: Nutting's Flycatcher, Brown-Creasted or Ash-throated

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