Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail

I was in Flagstaff for a medical apt. recently and decided to ride my bike back home via Leupp Road for a change of pace. As I rode past Elden Ruins I decided to stop and check out the progress of the dig and restoration project there. I had the place to myself and was surprised at how many new rooms had been excavated since my late visit about 10 years prior. There are still a large number of rooms awaiting excavation but the ruin is looking very impressive.

I had been reading recently about some of the early tribes in the southwest and was amazed to learn that Elden Pueblo consisted of around 70 rooms. I had no idea that it was that large. It was constructed after the Sunset Crater eruption and was a center of trade for the more advanced, post eruption Sinagua.

This short loop hike provides a great view of this ruin that is slowly being reconstructed. The trail has been improved and now has gravel on it. I sat and quietly watched a small bird searching for insects on the bark of the trees nearby. Continuing around the trail I was very excited to find a worn grinding stone with several deep grooves in it near the end of the trail. This short hike was a pleasant diversion and I was glad I decided to stop!