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Hike Arizona:Flagstaff, Grand Canyon and Northwest |
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Flagstaff: Lava River CaveHike:The cave is fairly easy to explore, it is mostly large tunnel passage. The entrance requires a very easy scramble down into the main passage where we walk along a lava flow floor. The temperature in the cave is approximately 40° year round. Lumbermen discovered the cave around 1915, and it was said that homesteaders in the area would collect large amounts of underground ice and use it for refrigeration. In addition to the wildly varying surface, the cave varies in width and height. One section features a ceiling more than 30 feet high, and in other areas it is so low you must almost crawl to pass through it. Boots, three light sources (a good flashlight or headlamp and tow backup lights), some sort of head protection (hard hat, climbing helmet or even a bicycle helmet) and layered clothing are recommended. Best Time of Year to Hike: summer Distance: 1.5 miles RT with 1 mile RT surface hike Difficulty: "C" [easy] Weather Conditions: Flagstaff Drive: Take I-17 north to Flagstaff then head north of Flagstaff on U.S. 180. Just beyond milepost 230, turn left onto an unmarked dirt road. This is Forest Service Road 245, and you need to follow it for three miles. Turn left onto Forest Service Road 171 then left again onto 171A.  Trip Report - Aug 1996
Flagstaff: Mt. KendrickHike:The Kendrick Peak Trail, originally built to maintain the Forest Service's fire lookout tower on the peak, is the easiest of three trails to the summit of Kendrick Peak, the second highest mountain (outside of the San Francisco Peaks) in northern Arizona. This is a well-graded, scenic trail up the forested slopes of Kendrick Peak and rewards the hiker with spectacular views from the summit. The first 1.25 miles of the Kendrick Peak Trail follows the original fire road, before giving way to a foot trail. The trail is almost entirely uphill, gaining 2,418' of elevation before reaching the summit, as it continually switchbacks up through forests of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and aspen, as well as open meadows of bracken ferns and wildflowers (if we are really lucky). Evidence of the May, 2000 Pumpkin Fire, which burned nearly 15,000 acres, can be seen everywhere along the trail. Approximately 1/4 mile from the summit, the trail reaches a saddle, where there is an old fire lookout, built in 1912. It was occupied until the 1930s, when the new lookout was built on the summit. The old cabin house is furnished with two cots for overnight hikers. The Bull Basin Trail, which climbs the north face of the mountain, connects with the Kendrick Mountain Trail at this saddle. Continue up the trail to the summit lookout via Kendrick Mountain Trail. There is no water on this trail, and lightening can be a threat in the summer. Your reward for reaching the summit is a possible visit inside the lookout tower and stunning views of the San Francisco Peaks, dominating the skyline to the east. On a clear day, the Grand Canyon and the Vermilion Cliffs can be seen to the north. Oak Creek Canyon and Mingus Mountain can be located to the south, while Bill Williams and the Sitgreaves Mountains can be spotted to the west. The hundreds of old volcanoes and cinder cones scattered throughout the area are testimony to the violent volcanic history of this region, known as the San Francisco Volcanic Field. Best Time of Year to Hike: May through October Distance: 8 miles round trip Elevation Change: +-2500' Range of Elevation: 8,000' (trailhead) to 10,418' (summit) Difficulty: "B" [moderate] Weather Conditions: Flagstaff Drive: From Flagstaff, drive north about 15 miles on US 180 to mile marker 230. Then turn left (west) on a graded dirt road (FS 245). Continue 3.1 miles, then turn right (northwest) on another graded dirt road (FS 171). Drive 3.2 miles, then turn right (north) on another graded dirt road (FS 190) and continue 0.4 miles to the trailhead. There are numerous signs for this well-developed trailhead along the way. Note: As long as the Forest Service roads remain dry, they are suitable for passenger cars. Trip Report - Jun 2003
Grand Canyon: Plateau PointHike:I am taking the Bright Angel trail to Plateau Point and back in a day hike. Due to the length of the trail (12 miles RT), I will be staying the night before in Flagstaff and start off early Saturday. Plan on one night stay in Flagstaff at a hotel, possibly two if exhaustion sets in. Several rest stops along the way, including the Bright Angel Campground. The great part about this hike is that it takes you to within 1000 ft of the river, all in a day hike. Issues of Arizona Highways show pictures of great vantage points of the river from here. This is probably about as close as you can get without camping, rafting, or killing yourself going down and up. Best Time of Year to Hike: spring, fall Distance: 12 miles round trip Elevation Change: +-6000' Difficulty: "A" [tough] Weather Conditions: Grand Canyon Drive: Take I-17 north to Flagstaff. Follow US 180 north out of Flagstaff and follow the signs to the Grand Canyon.
Supai: Havasu CanyonHike:Towering cliffs, lush landscape and awesome waterfalls with blue green pools await heat weary hikers visiting Havasu Canyon. From the trailhead at Huyalapai Hilltop, the first mile of the hike is a steep descent into the canyon, with views of the canyon walls below. Once on the narrow floor, the canyon walls tower above for the next 7 level miles until you reach the village of Supai. This remote village is home to some 500 Havasupai Indians. It seems even more surreal when you imagine everything here is brought in by helicopter or horseback. Navajo Falls is the first of the famous sights, and about a mile and a half from Supai. Havasu Falls, one of the most photographed of the Grand Canyon, is next. You can swim in the blue green pools or picnic on the beach of the 100 foot waterfall. Mooney Falls, twice as high as Havasu, is just past the campground. No camping is permitted past this point. Beaver Falls, another two miles from Mooney, is an easy day hike from the campground. Best Time of Year to Hike: Spring and Fall Distance: 20 miles round trip: 8 miles to the village of Supai and another 2 miles to the campground. Elevation Change: +-2000' Range of Elevation: 5200' to 3200' Difficulty: "A" [tough] Weather Conditions: Supai Drive: Take Interstate 17 north of Flagstaff and head west on Interstate 40. Turn on Arizona 66 near Seligman and head north toward Peach Springs. This is your last chance for gas. 37 miles from Seligman exit is Indian road 18 turning only to the right with a small sign pointing the way to Supai. The Huyalapai Hilltop and start of the trail is another 63 miles, and about 325 miles from Phoenix.
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