Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Horse Lake Day Hike


when? Trip Report : July 2, 2011
  Trip Report : September 1, 2007
where? Flagstaff
the hike     We’ll begin our one-way hike at Lowell Observatory Trailhead. This easy Arizona Trail walk through the patchy forest on Anderson Mesa features plentiful wildlife and great views of the lakes. Finish the hike at Horse Lake Trailhead.
    No auto shuttle! Two parties will hike in opposite directions and meet in the middle for lunch and exchange of car keys. Your own car will be waiting for you at the end of the hike.
    This section of Arizona Trail Passage #30 starts at Horse Lake Trailhead. It goes north and climbs Anderson Mesa, then passes east of Horse Lake. It follows a two-track, turns west, becomes a trail again, and passes a junction with the Lakeview Campground Trail. After crossing FR 129 the trail passes west of Vail Lake and continues northwest between Prime Lake and Lowell Observatory.  GPS Route Map
distance 9 1/2 miles
EC +-300' elevation change
elevations 7250' (Lake Mary overlook) to 7050' (SE of Horse Lake)
time 5-6 hours
hike rating "C+"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
on trail 100% — Arizona Trail, passage #30
dogs? no
type one way
starting at
Lowell Observatory Trailhead 35° 6.012' N,  111° 32.143' W  [NAD27]
ending at
Horse Lake Trailhead 35° 1.674' N,  111° 26.650' W  [NAD27]
cost When car-pooling, pay your share the cost of gas. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $1/member or $3/non-member.
weather Flagstaff
meet in
Phoenix
7:00 AM in the Fry’s parking lot on the SW corner of I-17 & Bell Road. Park behind Denny’s, near the entrance to the Deer Valley Park & Ride.
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 9.3 miles, alongside Lower Lake Mary, to the paved Lowell Observatory Road going uphill on the left. Take that road up Anderson Mesa 1.25 miles to the sign for Lowell Observatory. Turn right and follow the paved road to the parking lot, which is a gravel loop on the left side.


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updated October 4, 2011 © Copyright 2011, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.