Can stock BS BL do Sedona Trails? Ex: Soldier Pass and Devils Bridge

[WildFord]

Taking a trip to Sedona in the holidays….I’ve found some thread about the Outlaw trail, but no information about if an BS can make it thru Soldiers Pass to see the Seven Sacred Pools ? It sounded like that is for a vehicle with much more clearance.

the other trail that is popular is to see the Devils Bridge. Is an stock BL make it to the parking lot on the Dry Creek Road? Some videos I’ve seen on Youtube looks doable.

Maybe someone here already done it?

Thank you!

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[Dude]

I haven’t driven the 4WD section there however the best way is to hike the area to see the sights … if you really want to drive that section in your bronco sport Google 4WD Soldiers Pass to Seven Sacred Pools … and call one of the many Jeep tours to ask if a bronco sport can do the 4WD portion.

“Soldier Pass Motorized Access: The unpaved section Soldier Pass Road provides access for motorized vehicles to visit Devil's Kitchen sinkhole, "Seven Sacred Pools," and the Forest Roads in the area.”

“The last way to enjoy Soldier Pass is to drive it. Offroading is a MUST in Sedona, so if you have the chance to do this, take it!

The tricky part about offroading Soldier Pass is that you have to rent a car with 4WD and have a permit.

Only 12 permits are available to book on Recreation.gov. If you’re still like, “Mannnnn, I really wanna do that,” and can’t get a permit, book a jeep tour! Jeep tours in Sedona are a-plenty.”

https://dani-the-explorer.com/soldier-pass-trail-sedona/

 

[AmazingSieve]

Im not familiar with the trail but what is it rated? A stock BL can handle moderate rated trails but it needs more clearance to do anything more than that.

 

[Dude]

Im not familiar with the trail but what is it rated? A stock BL can handle moderate rated trails but it needs more clearance to do anything more than that.

There’s lots of trail descriptions for that section, this one rates as “difficult” and due to ground clearance likely is a bad choice for a BS:

“Very tight in places with several steep, ledgy climbs. Stock SUVs need very high ground clearance. New vehicles with shiny paint jobs beware of scratchy brush.”

https://funtreks.com/off-road-trails/soldier-pass/
Permits need to be submitted 72 hours in advance. Go to: www.recreation.gov/4251901

 

[SBGrad]

We were in Sedona about a month before we got the Badlands. We hiked to/from Devils Bridge. 'steep rocky ledges' would also apply to Devil's Bridge, not sure if a BSBL could do it or not.

NONETHELESS, you NEED to see and walk on Devils Bridge. Hike to it if the BS won't make it to the parking lot.

 

[Dude]

We were in Sedona about a month before we got the Badlands. We hiked to/from Devils Bridge. 'steep rocky ledges' would also apply to Devil's Bridge, not sure if a BSBL could do it or not.

NONETHELESS, you NEED to see and walk on Devils Bridge. Hike to it if the BS won't make it to the parking lot.

See the map pic in post #2 … seems that OP is asking about the 4WD road not the hiking trails.

 

[SBGrad]

I know what the OP is talking about. We hiked TO the Bridge on the hiking trail, and BACK on the 4wd trail. ...and I will repeat, not sure if BS can make it on the 4wd road. We saw Wranglers and SxSs on the 4wd road. Kinda big drop at the start, and then rocky ledges in the middle.

 

[Dude]

Yep.. ground clearance is the issue with the bronco sport on that 4WD road as the link I posted indicated. I’ve hiked that area numerous times and jeeps or other high clearance vehicles are on the 4WD road but OPs best best is to call one of the many Jeep tours to ask about current 4WD road conditions.

 

[WildFord]

thanks for the info. I think the Soldier Pass 4x4 road definetly is too much for a stock BS. The Devil's bridge is a maybe. probably best is to just hike on the trails. one of the blog mentioned starting from a different point sounds like a good suggestion.

it is been over 20 years since I've been to this place. Last time I saw most of the area on a mtn bike. no issue with those rocky ledges...in fact, we look for them and if someone fell, we blamed the Vortex

funny how the BS BL biggest stock setup issue is clearance....and it is more than a stock upcoming Landcruiser. i think Toyota selling those to give the after market more $$

 

[Dude]

thanks for the info. I think the Soldier Pass 4x4 road definitely is too much for a stock BS.

You might consider Sedona’s Edge of the World adventure instead …

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/edge-of-the-world.9062/

 

[AmazingSieve]

thanks for the info. I think the Soldier Pass 4x4 road definetly is too much for a stock BS. The Devil's bridge is a maybe. probably best is to just hike on the trails. one of the blog mentioned starting from a different point sounds like a good suggestion.

it is been over 20 years since I've been to this place. Last time I saw most of the area on a mtn bike. no issue with those rocky ledges...in fact, we look for them and if someone fell, we blamed the Vortex

funny how the BS BL biggest stock setup issue is clearance....and it is more than a stock upcoming Landcruiser. i think Toyota selling those to give the after market more $$

Ford really did a dam good job with the awd/4wd system, the car will scratch and claw and find traction, it really is a very good system.

So much so it influenced other manufacturers to improve their systems and up their game a bit. You can see that with the Trailsport, the new baby LC, Subaru is being pushed to improve but limited by that limp wristed CVT

 

[WildFord]

You might consider Sedona’s Edge of the World adventure instead …

https://www.broncosportforum.com/forum/threads/edge-of-the-world.9062/

that is a pretty cool place!

seems like you must come down "edge of the world" trail from Flagstaff about 20 miles. too bad it doesn't seems to be a way from the 89 hwy

we'll see...I may not have time for this but will definitely put it on the list

 

[Dude]

I came in via HW89 north of Sedona

Forest Service 535 to Forest Service 231
Couple of sections not marked very well and have to make choices at a few Ys but I had pre-downloaded a Google map of the the area in case I lost cell connection

it’s a pretty drive

 

[WildFord]

So much so it influenced other manufacturers to improve their systems and up their game a bit. You can see that with the Trailsport, the new baby LC, Subaru is being pushed to improve but limited by that limp wristed CVT

CVT sounded so promising initially but really did not worked out for certain application.

I had to look up the baby LC....it's an EV! guess it won't have the CVT issue if it only has one gear

 

[WildFord]

I came in via HW89 north of Sedona

Forest Service 535 to Forest Service 231
Couple of sections not marked very well and have to make choices at a few Ys but I had pre-downloaded a Google map of the the area in case I lost cell connection

it’s a pretty drive

i found the route on the map. looks like you had to have gone around a canyon to get to the spot. interesting....what is that canyon is like??? need to do some research
thanks!!

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