Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Anderson Mesa Day Hike


when? Saturday, June 25, 2005: Trip Report
where? Flagstaff
the hike     Plentiful wildlife and great views of the San Francisco Peaks are the major features of this Flagstaff section of the Arizona Trail. We’ll begin at the Marshall Lake Trailhead. This vital wetland, which is more of a marsh than a lake, is frequented by bald eagles in winter and osprey in summer. Waterfowl and a variety of smaller hawks are generally present year-round. We’ll finish the one-way hike at Sandy’s Canyon.
    Most of the trail winds across Anderson Mesa, a broad grassy upland dotted with widely spaced trees. The open character of the terrain here provides excellent opportunities to view the area’s wildlife residents. Anderson Mesa supports a rich and diverse community of wild animals some of the larger and more visible are elk, mule deer, whitetail deer, wild turkey, Abert’s squirrels, coyotes, and pronghorn antelope.
distance 6 miles
EC +605'-920' elevation change
elevations 7195' (Anderson Mesa) to 6621' (Walnut Creek)
time 4-5 hours
hike rating "C" [easy]
on trail 100% — Arizona Trail, Sandy’s Canyon Trail
dogs? no
type one way
starting at
Marshall Lake Trailhead 35° 6.703' N,  111° 32.436' W  [NAD27]
ending at
Sandy’s Canyon Trailhead 35° 7.499' N,  111° 35.886' W  [NAD27]
cost $0, though riders should share the cost of gas. The club will allow voluntary contributions of $1/member or $3/non-member.
weather Flagstaff
meet in
Phoenix
7:00 AM by the M&I Bank on the southwest corner of I-17 and Bell Road, across the driveway from Denny’s. Please park them away from the bank and away from Denny’s.
meet in
Flagstaff
If you are meeting us in Flagstaff, be at the Circle K, 3350 Lake Mary Rd. at I-17, by 9:15. See map.
drive     Take I-17 to Flagstaff. Get off at Lake Mary Road (county highway 3), exit 339. Turn right and go southeast 5.3 miles to a dirt road on the left, just past the cattle guard. Turn left and go 0.3 miles to Sandy’s Canyon Trailhead. Those starting from Flagstaff should meet us there at 9:30 AM.
    We’ll leave most of the cars at Sandy’s Canyon Trailhead, where the hike ends. Go back to Lake Mary Road, turn left and drive 4.0 miles, alongside Lower Lake Mary, to the paved Marshall Lake Road going uphill on the left. Take that road up Anderson Mesa 1.25 miles to the sign for Lowell Observatory. Go straight ahead on FR 128 and continue 1.0 miles to a fork in the road. Marshall Lake is just ahead of you. Turn left and drive 0.3 miles to Marshall Lake Trailhead, where the hike begins.


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