Named for a local settler, Sterling Pass Trail leads over a high saddle from Oak Creek Canyon into nearby and equally scenic Sterling Canyon. The climb is steep right from the trailhead. The trail climbs up an unnamed drainage through a mixed conifer forest dominated by huge orange-barked ponderosa pines. Dwarf canyon maples are plentiful here too. They turn scarlet and peach in the fall, making this a great place to enjoy the most colorful of seasons.
As you ascend the steep slope you’ll notice that, above the mosaic of tree limbs that form the forest ceiling, huge monoliths of deep red and buff sandstone tower toward the sky. You’ll be rubbing shoulders with these giants as you slide between them at the top of the pass and begin the descent into Sterling Canyon. The best overlooks are along the climb, so be sure to take a break every now and then to enjoy them. The view from the top is somewhat obscured by trees.
The Hike House Sedona Trail Rating System provides actual hiker feedback and ratings of each of the Sedona hiking trails. The cumulative trail ratings for the Sterling Pass Trail submitted by fellow hikers is located above with the Trail Data. Your trail feedback and ratings are an important resource for fellow hikers and provide a personal account of your trail experience from which others may learn. So please hike Sedona, help others, and rate a trail today!
Hiked this September 5th, 2011 at 6am. Excellent view of the Sunrise. Biggest surprise was that most of the trees had burned in a fire. This provided the opportunity to see Aligator Bark Trees that were blackened and as a result very shiny. It was amazing how different the landscape is on the front of the mountain, compared with the back. Tons of brush on the back – would’ve been better if we’d worn long pants and sleeves as it’s quite overgrown from an abundance of rain this summer. We hiked all the way to Vultee Arch trail head. We stopped at the top on the way back for about 10 min. Total time was 2:45.
Hiked this September 5th, 2011 at 6am. Excellent view of the Sunrise. Biggest surprise was that most of the trees had burned in a fire. This provided the opportunity to see Aligator Bark Trees that were blackened and as a result very shiny. It was amazing how different the landscape is on the front of the mountain, compared with the back. Tons of brush on the back – would’ve been better if we’d worn long pants and sleeves as it’s quite overgrown from an abundance of rain this summer. We hiked all the way to Vultee Arch trail head. We stopped at the top on the way back for about 10 min. Total time was 2:45.
+1
15 APRIL 2012- started trail around 130PM filled with snow most of the way up to the pass- slick spots of ice and slid on my butt one time on the way out back to OC Canyon.
wanted to see the spring flowers BUT they were buried what did pop through was quite hardy and colorful. The cliffs along the ascent dripping with water and the wash had some nice pools filled with the crystal clear snow melt.