SarahAfter a few days of rain, the skies finally cleared. That kind of clearing does not mean errands or lounging around. It means it is time to hit the trail.
But…not just any trail.
Broken Arrow is one of Sedona’s most iconic 4×4 routes, known just as much for its slickrock climbs and panoramic red rock views as it is for the steady parade of pink Jeeps full of wide-eyed tourists. If Sedona has a greatest hits album for off-roading, Broken Arrow is track one.
What Is Broken Arrow Trail?
Broken Arrow is a designated 4×4-only trail carved directly into Sedona’s red rock landscape. It is short, technical, and packed with obstacles, viewpoints, and history. The trail winds through slickrock domes, sandstone ledges, and narrow rock corridors, ending at the famous Devil’s Staircase obstacle.
It is often compared to Moab, just scaled down and dropped into northern Arizona. Compact, beautiful, and tricky enough to make you rethink your tire pressure. Especially with the rocks being cooled by the recent rain, airing down was the only way to conquer this trail today.
Back on the Trail in the ZR2
The last time we ran Broken Arrow, we were in our 2022 Colorado ZR2 and scraped going over the Gatekeeper obstacle near the beginning of the trail. This time, we were back in our 2024 Colorado ZR2, aired down to 20 PSI, and feeling optimistic.
Either the trail has seen some maintenance or erosion has mellowed out the obstacle a bit, because the ZR2 glided over the Gatekeeper with zero drama. No scraping. No cringing. Just smiles within the first few minutes of the drive.
Sinkholes, Pink Jeeps, and Trail Humor
Our first stop was the famous “Sinkhole”. The sinkhole stop still stops you in your tracks. It is massive and sudden, like the Earth yawned mid-century and never bothered to fix it.
It wasn’t too long after we resumed our drive that a Pink Jeep rolled up behind us. The driver joked, “You know why I love driving this thing?” Dane immediately shot back, “Because it’s pink?”
The driver laughed and replied, “Well, yeah, of course! But also because it’s not mine. If I break it, they bring me another one.” His passengers laughed and we waived as they drove by.
Hard to argue with that logic, but we knew that our ZR2 was up to the task.
Submarine Rock and Line Choice Lessons
We turned off toward Submarine Rock, and this is where Broken Arrow reminds you that line choice matters. The climb up Submarine Rock requires commitment and precision.
Dane went bold. Maybe too bold.
The truck lost traction and left behind a nice pair of black tire streaks for the audience riding in the Pink Jeep. I told him to back up and shift just eight inches to the right. He did. The ZR2 walked up the rock like a mountain goat with confidence issues.
To steady our nerves and stretch our legs, we hiked to the top of Submarine Rock, soaked in the views, and grabbed a few photos before heading toward Chicken Point.
Chicken Point and a Quiet Moment
I had plans to fly the drone at Chicken Point, but the wind was picking up, and I did not trust my one good arm to retrieve it if things went sideways. I had broken my wrist a few days before at Slide Rock State Park – but that’s a story for a different post!
Fortunately, Chicken Point was quiet when we arrived. Everett found the perfect lounging rock and immediately declared it his new “thinking spot.” Honestly, not a bad place to think.
Trail Karma and Helping Hands
Near the turnaround, we crossed paths again with a Wrangler and a 4Runner crew. We gave them some time to get on the trail so we wouldn’t be following too close, but before we knew it, we approached from behind and heard tires spinning.
The 4Runner SR5 had picked a tough line and was stuck (trust me, it happens to all of us).
Dane hopped out, offered a few friendly tips, and guided them through the obstacle like a trail whisperer. A little patience and a better line, and they were moving again.
Devil’s Staircase Decision Time
Then came the big decision. Devil’s Staircase.Do you go down it or turn around a redo the whole trail? Not a bad option in such a beautiful place, but we came here and weren’t going to let the Devil’s Staircase defeat us. We knew the ZR2 was capable since we had completed this in the 2022 ZR2. So, in theory, the 2024 ZR2 should have no issues. Right?
We approached the obstacle as the 4Runner descended. The 4Runner made it down with only a few scrapes. However, we were told that the Wrangler hit a control arm hard enough that they were worried about their alignment. It seemed ok, but they learned a mighty lesson about taking the right line can make all the difference.
It was finally our turn. Dane took the left line and carefully threaded the ZR2 down the jagged rock staircase. The first drop is the hardest, and we knew that in the worst case, we’d hit our rock rail. Everett filmed from the top. I spotted from below. A crowd formed. Cameras came out.
And he nailed it. Not a single scrape. One guy even called Dane “the man” as we rolled on. I did not disagree.
Final Thoughts on Broken Arrow
The rest of the trail was quiet after that, which was exactly how we wanted it. Broken Arrow is short, but it packs in history, challenge, and scenery in a way few trails can.
It is busy for a reason. It is famous for a reason. And when the weather clears and the rocks dry out, it is hard to imagine a better place to spend a day in Sedona.
What a ride.
