Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Abineau/ Bear Jaw Day Hike

when	October 4, 2025 Saturday
	Trip Report : October 21, 2023
	Trip Report : August 29, 2021
	Trip Report : October 4, 2014
	Trip Report : August 4, 2012
where	Flagstaff – North side of the San Francisco Peaks
the hike	This trip is scheduled after the end of the monsoon and at the beginning of the fall color. Weather may be cool to cold and in the mountains, storms are always possible, so be prepared and watch the weather report for Flagstaff. The leaves color are in the peak at Flagstaff, this will be our first fall color hike! From the trailhead it’s 0.3 miles to the Abineau/Bear Jaw junction. We will stay to the left and take the Bear Jaw Trail and begin our ascent of Abineau Canyon through a mixed forest of ponderosa pine, aspen, and large Douglas fir. After a mile or so the trail becomes steeper and rockier as it continues climbing through Abineau Canyon. ascending through heavy forest cover, as we make our way to a old road. About mid-way along this trail watch for interesting carvings, mostly names and dates (some going back to the late 1800s), on the larger aspen trunks in this area of long-abandoned sheep herder camps.     After nearly two miles of steady climbing, the Bear Jaw tops out as it links up with Pipeline Road. From the junction we will continue hiking west on the road for two miles to the end. This is a scenic area with great views of the north side of Humphreys Peak and more avalanche chutes. We will stop in this area for a rest and lunch break. From the junction we will take Abineau junction down     For those that do not want to do the full 6.6 mile hike and particularly the strenuous Abineau portion can just do the Bear Jaw as an in and out. Most of the aspens are on that trail. Required: •  Sturdy hiking boots •  At least 3 liters of water •  Rain poncho and a flannel shirt or light jacket •  Hat, sunblock, sunglasses •  Lunch or snacks Recommended: •  Hiking poles •  Camera
distance	8 mile loop
time	5-6 hours hiking time plus 6 hours R/T driving time to the trailhead.
EC	+-2000' elevation change
elevations	8,530 feet at the trailhead to 10,400 feet on the Abineau Trail.
on trail	100% — Abineau Trail, Pipeline Road, Bear Jaw Trail.
rating	"B"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs?	no
cost	Sharing gas expenses with the driver. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather	Flagstaff
leader	Email the leader to confirm.
meet in Phoenix	TBD AM in the McDonald’s carefree off I -17 at 3140 W Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85086.
meet in Flagstaff	9:00 AM at the Albineau Bear Jaw trailhead.
drive	•  Take I-17 north to Flagstaff. • From Flagstaff, go north on US 89 (14 miles) and turn left onto Forest Road 418. • Drive 7 miles on FR418 to Forest Road 9123J (signed for Abineau-Bear Jaw). • Turn right and go 1.2 miles to the trailhead. • Dirt/cinder roads are rutted but passable by a carefully driven sedan.

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updated September 9, 2025	© Copyright 2025, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.