Sinclair Wash Urban Trail, AZ

The Sinclair Wash Urban Trail is part of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System. This is a short one-mile trail that connects you to either the Rio de Flag trail to the east or the Fort Tuthill trail to the southwest. The Sinclair Wash trail travels east and west across the south portion of the Northern Arizona University campus and parallels the Sinclair wash. The trailhead is just across the street from the Rio de Flag trail and is marked by a huge Flagstaff Urban Trail Sign. It provides a nice easy walk/run for a little exercise. Other than that, there's not much else to say about this trail. Although the majority of the trail is within a forested environment, you still don't escape the urban environment around you. I like to use this trail for easy runs. The trail, however, is well maintained and has a lot of rolls and curves to it, fun for mountain biking. The wash is typically dry except in the event of summer thunderstorms, and although the trail typically runs upslope from the wash, it does cross it from time to time. So beware...don't try this trail in the rain!!!


The ponderosa pine forest and associated vegetation make this a very beautiful trail, especially during the spring and summer months when the wild flowers bloom. This trail also makes for quick and accessible wildlife viewing. I've seen several foxes and deer race across the washbed from time to time. The City of Flagstaff has also recently thinned the forested area near the trailhead for wildfire reduction. This thinning allows better viewing potential within the forest. And although there's not much else to this trail, I truly believe that any trail in the Flagstaff area is worth exploring. To be on the trail is better then a lot of other places you can be...

2007-03-06 Shilo