Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Taawa and Big Bang Day Hike
| when |
Cancelled due to rain
|
| where |
Mormon Lake |
| the hike |
Join me on this hike that is a new trail completed during Fall 2024 and built in Flagstaff’s
Mount Elden-Dry Lake Hills (MEDL) area. The word Taawa is the Hopi word for sun
spirit or creator and replaces a maze of heavily traveled trails including the Lost Burrito
Trail on its lower half. It is designated solely for hiker use and features an expanded
series of new stacked loops also sharing space with the Arizona Trail and the Flagstaff
Loop trail. We will start our ascent at the Shultz Creek Trailhead, hike .6 miles on the
Rocky Ridge Trail where will meet up at the Taawa Junction with a well-marked trail
sign. Our ascent will continue on switchbacks that are steep, exposed, and thin path.
This vertical assault will calm down after about a half mile revealing a meadow where
views of the San Francisco Peaks and the town of Flagstaff can be viewed between
trees that are just far enough apart. The trail ends at its high point at the second Big
Bang Trail junction where we will stop for lunch. We will make a return loop using the
Big Bang Trail that will offer additional challenges involving steep downhill traversing
that will eventually hooks up with the Taawa Trail. From the Taawa we will head back to
our cars.
Pace: Moderate pace. This hike is steep, but solid hiking boots are highly recommended in
addition to layered clothing, a broad brimmed hat (some shade is available), binoculars and rain
gear. There are some short scrambles over boulders. Bathrooms are not available in the very small parking area.
|
| distance |
8 - 10 miles |
| time |
5 - 6 hours |
| EC |
+/- 1500' elevation change |
| elevations |
7,100' to 8,500' |
| type |
Loop |
| on trail |
100% — Taawa, Rocky Ridge, Big Bang |
| rating |
"B"
Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| dogs allowed |
no |
| cost |
The club allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member. |
| weather |
Flagstaff |
| leader |
Cancelled due to rain
|
meet in
Phoenix |
7:30 AM in the
McDonald’s carefree off I -17 at 3140 W Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85086.
|
drive |
| • |
To meet at the Schultz Creek Trailhead in Flagstaff go 3 miles north on
U.S. 180 (Humphreys Street). At the light turn left to stay on US 180.
|
| • |
Turn right on to Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420).
Continue 0.5 miles on FR 420 and make a hard left at the Elden Lookout Road (FR 577)
“Y” and go another half mile on FR 420 to the parking lot of the left. There are no
facilities at the trailhead. Park near a locked gate.
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