Walking Connection - Arizona Hikes in Flagstaff

Arizona Walking Connection
Flagstaff, Kaibab National Park, Coconino County Hike Archive

Arizona Hikes -- Flagstaff!

Humphreys Peak-Flagstaff - Strenuous
(Original Hike Date, July 17, 2004)
Elevation 8,800' to 12,644'
This change in elevation is what makes this hike difficult.
Go slow and the rewards are numerous and tremendous!

It is 9 miles to the summit and back. You may want to go a shorter distance, or do an easier trail from the same starting point. This trail actually goes above the timberline, the only true “Alpine” hike in Arizona.

The trail begins in the lower parking lot of Snow Bowl ski area. Drive north on Hwy 180 for 7 miles north of Flagstaff to FR 516. Turn north and follow the paved route for 7.4 miles to the first parking lot on the left. The trailhead is at the far end.

The trail passes through a meadow of wildflowers before entering the forest that typifies the rest of the trail. Although this sounds like a truly daunting hike, remember, you only need go as far as is enjoyable. The full 9-mile trek is not required.

**BILL WILLIAM'S TRAIL,
Flagstaff to Williams
Original Hike Date -- Saturday, June 22, 1996

Access to the trail head is from I-40 to William's and take exit 161 (Camp Clover). Go south to the William's Ranger District Office. The trail can be accessed at the Camp Clover Administrative Site.

This trail is considered **moderate** and is just under four miles one way. The trail is out and back. At the trail head, the elevation is 6,900’ and at the top of Bill William Mountain, the elevation is 9,256’. At the top you should be able to see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, San Francisco Peaks and the Verde Valley.
This is a great hike.

***Sycamore Rim - Flagstaff
Original Hike Date --Sunday, July, 26, 1998

To access the trail from Flagstaff, take Interstate 40 West. Take exit 178, "Parks" then turn left and go south to Garland Prairie. After you cross the railroad tracks you will be on Forest Road #141 which is the main road through Garland Prairie. Follow this dirt road to the intersection of Forest Roads #131 and #13. At this point, go straight on #13 which is the narrow (2-tire track) road directly in front of you. It is poorly marked by a small pole with the #13 on it. (As of this printing, there is a big brown house with a green roof on the right). Take #13 a very short distance to Forest Road #56 and bear to the left. After a short distance on #56 you will see the parking lot and trail map on your left. Park here.

This hike offers a wide variety of views. Terrain in the beginning is mostly level and open, but the path is rocky in places. This hike begins by crossing an alpine meadow and works it's way in and out of a Ponderosa Pine forest. Along the trail you will see countless cairns courtesy of the Boy Scouts and will walk by the site of an old sawmill dating back to 1910. You should have good views of pools of water (Lo Spring) in the deep canyon, volcanic cliffs and Sycamore Vista that is about 4-miles out and a good spot to turn around. If you do, there is virtually no elevation gain or loss, but we rate it as ***difficult*** because of the rocks and distance. If you choose to walk the entire 12-mile loop, plan to walk 7 hours. This is a ***difficult*** hike because of the rocks, distance and elevation gain at the end with the walk up KA Hill. Inexperienced hikers should NOT do the loop. Bring lots of water and nutritious food for this hike and remember that you will be walking in elevation exceeding 6700 feet.

***Mt. Kendrick -- Flagstaff
Original Hike Date -- Saturday June 19, 2004

Moderate
(difficulty increases with elvation) This hike goes from 7980 to 10,418 feet.
Total: 7 miles roundtrip.

To access this hike: Drive 15 miles north of Flagstaff on Hwy 180 to mile marker 230. Turn left onto FR 245, follow for 3.1 miles to junction with FR 171. Turn right and drive 3.2 miles, then turn right onto FR 190 and follow it for 0.4 miles to the developed trailhead. (old directions show trailhead at FR171A-but trail has since been rerouted and improved).

First half mile follows a foot trail up steep grade and then goes along a mile of old road, then reverts to trail. It follows a bunch of switchbacks…stay to the trail to help prevent erosion. Trail includes pines, Douglas and white fir, spruce trees and aspen. This is a really pretty area and offers cool respite from high Phoenix June temperatures. It is a three-hour trip to this hike so start early or stay in Flagstaff the night before.

*Crater Lake, Flagstaff, Arizona
Original Hike Date -- Saturday May 27, 1997

The more I travel, the larger the Earth seems to get. Jo Ann and I are very fortunate to be able to travel quite a bit and walk in some fascinating places. During the last twelve months we have walked the Great Wall of China, the beaches of Mexico, through downtown Seattle, Santa Fe, Chicago, New York City, San Antonio, San Francisco (twice), Shanghai, Beijing, Sedona, Vancouver and Victoria BC, the San Juan Islands, Lake Tahoe, and in the Canadian Rocky, Bugaboo and Selkirk mountains. Each walk provided a new and exciting experience and was far different than our usual walks around the block at home. And even though it is always exciting to explore and walk in new and faraway places, sometimes the best walks can be found in places close to home. Crater Lake just northwest of Flagstaff is one of those places.

To take this walk, drive to Flagstaff and turn left on SR180. Drive north toward the Grand Canyon for approximately 18 miles until you reach milepost 234. Take the first left-hand turn on Forest Service Road 760. Follow it for about 2 miles until you reach Forest Service Road 9009D on your left. Park here.

The walk begins along 9009D that is in a pine forest that is currently being thinned out. It doesn't make for a great start, but after the first ½ mile, the pine forest returns to its natural unspoiled beauty. Because the walk is along this old forest service road that is not suitable for vehicles, it is an easy walk. As you wind your way through the forest there will be off shoot paths and roads, but the main path is quite easy to follow. After about a mile walk, you will reach the trail head that is not marked. This is an advantage because it keeps foot traffic on this path to a minimum. The road really narrows and you will reach a definitive Y in the road. On the right hand side, you will see a badly deteriorated sign that says “Official Notice.” (Whatever the Official Notice was, it is long worn off this sign.) At the Y, bear right and begin a 200’ ascent up the hill. Along the way there are great views of the valley below and the surrounding mountains of which Mt. Kendrick dominates. At the top you will reach a fence and a maze type gate. Proceed through the gate and walk straight for a few hundred feet. Crater Lake is the small pond on your left. There is a grassy meadow that is a beautiful spot to relax, enjoy a picnic and take in the pine and aspen forest. Jo Ann and I walked to Crater Lake in the middle of August and the water level was low, full of flowers, lilies and birds. We did not see any other people on this short but beautiful great walk. We hope you will find time before winter sets in to visit Crater Lake.

Special Note: Though I would like to take credit for being the first to discover this great walk, I must give credit to Dick and Sherry Mangum, authors of the book “Flagstaff Hikes.” In my opinion, Dick and Sherry have written the best books on hiking in Flagstaff and Sedona. They are precise in their information so you can learn about the hike in advance and enjoy your hike without having to search all over for the trail head. More specific details on The Crater Lake can be found on page 74 in their 4th Edition of Flagstaff Hikes.

***Lockett Meadow - Flagstaff
Original Hike Date -- Saturday, July 15, 2000

To access the trail head drive north to Flagstaff and turn left on State Route 89 toward the Grand Canyon. Continue for about 27 miles just past the entrance to Sunset Crater and turn left on Forest Service Rd. 552. Follow it until you see the sign for Lockett Meadow and turn right here. Once you reach the campground follow the road through the campsites until you find the Day Use area and park here. NOTE: There have been some recent changes in the location of the trailhead. Ask the camp ranger for directions if you need to. This is a beautiful hike through a Ponderosa Pine forest.

Rating The Hikes

* Easy -- for beginners. There is little elevation change and they begin and end at the same location so hikers can go as far as they like and turn around at anytime. The terrain can be dirt, gravel & rocky, so footing can be hazardous. If you are just starting, or usually walk 2 hours at a time, these are for you.
** Moderate -- for experienced hikers. There is some elevation change. Some of the changes can be steep at times and long. These hikes can either be loops or out and back hikes that allow you to go as far as you like and turn around at anytime. The terrain can be dirt, gravel and rocky & footing can be hazardous. If you're comfortable walking 3-4 hours at a time, these are good for you.
*** Difficult -- for experienced hikers only. There could be significant elevation changes and at times, long uphill walks. Be prepared to climb rocks or wade streams. These can be loops or out and back hikes. The terrain can be dirt, gravel and rocky, so footing can be hazardous. If you walk 4-6 hours at a time, these are for you.

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Exercise is only one part of being healthy, seeing your doctor is another! If, at any time during a training session (whether it is a group session, individual personal training session, or self-training session), you suffer any mishap or injury, we urge you to stop your activity immediately and seek professional medical attention. The information contained on this site is intended to give information about personal health and fitness, not to act as a medical manual or guide to self-treatment. Keep in mind that exercise, health and nutritional needs vary from person to person, depending on age, gender, family medical history, current health status, and other individual factors.Before engaging in these, or any other exercise or recreational activities, we urge all individuals to consult a physician. He or she is most-qualified to advise each about their specific health status and needs. By participating in any Walking Connection walk, hike or event, now or in the future, I have and do hereby fully assume all risk of injury, property damage, emotional trauma and death, and it is my intention for me and my heirs, executors and administrators to waive any and all right and claims for damages I may have against Gene and Jo Ann Taylor, Taylor Marketing and Management, LLC., The Walking Connection and any individual associated with these walks, hikes or events, their representatives, successors, and assignees, and will hold them harmless for any and all injuries, mishaps and loss of property suffered in connection with my participation in these walks, hikes, events.