Favorite Summer Hike in Flag

[cactusrose63]

Hello all!

My husband and I and another couple we travel with go to Sedona every August and stay at a cabin about half way up 89a in Oak Creek Canyon. We have explored a good many Sedona trails that are do-able in the summer, so we thought we would expand into Flagstaff this coming summer.

Fitness level: We have done Humphrey's and Kendrick's Peak, but the girls say no more! So we are looking for less of an incline I guess, less than 15 miles round trip preferably.

I know there are tons of hikes to choose from, I have seen them in the Flagstaff region section of HikeAZ. What I am looking for is your personal favorites and a brief description of why you enjoy it.

Thanks in advance...half the fun is the planning and anticipation!

Barb

[johnlp]

Red Mountain is very cool and a short easy hike. You can throw in some difficulty by climbing around the area, but its optional.

[Jim]

Less than 15 miles and not too steep, you could try going up the Schultz Creek and the very popular Sunset trails, then the down either the Brookbank or Upper Oldham trails (both connect to the Sunset Trail for various loop lengths), and back on the Rocky Ridge trail. Basically, the main loop of the Dry Lake Hills. That area can be very stormy in August, so be prepared.

People tend to like that area as it is lush and green in summer and not to steep compared to the Peaks and then the only other area Flagstaff has: Mount Elden. Beware, Mt Bikers are common.

[chumley]

I'm a huge fan of the kachina trail. But it's either an out n back or requires a shuttle.

[cactusrose63]

Thanks, I will check these hikes out.

Any other ideas, let me know...still plenty of time.

BTW, have any of you done the Weatherford trail?

[NautBrad]

My Favorite AZ hike is:
Abineau / Bear Jaw Loop.
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=351

Locket Meadow / Inner Basin Hike http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN ... urn false;

Also consider
Walnut Canyon
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=179

Kendrick Peak

Lava River Tube

Enjoy!

[azbackpackr]

Yeah, I was going to say Abineau-Bear Jaw loop, or the other way around.

[cactusrose63]

Thanks for the additional suggestions...we have seen the Lava Tube and been to Kendrick Peak and those were fun.

Is the Locket Meadow / Inner Basin part of Humphrey's Peak trail?

Thanks for the ready made links too!

[JimmyLyding]

I would also add the Abineau-Berar Jaw loop. That is a magnificent hike and is certainly worth the drive from Sedona.
My favorite hike near Sedona is Wilson Mountain / Wilson Mountain Trail - North. Awesome views.

[azbackpackr]

Lockett Meadow is on the east side of the Peaks. There's a nice campground there. The trailhead is near the campground. You drive up a dirt road to get to it from 89. The dirt road turns off across 89 from the Sunset Crater turnoff. It was closed for awhile after the Shultz Fire, but I believe all has reopened. Call the Flagstaff ranger district to find out: 928-526-0866. Read all the info about Shultz Fire and possible closures on the "Coke" National Forest website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/coconino/

The Flagstaff Ranger District station is in East Flagstaff across the highway from the Flagstaff Mall, more or less. Across from McDonald's. Go there, they have a big rack of free maps of lots of different hikes, plus you can buy the big National Forest maps there, and get more info. It's definitely worth a stop there, but they are only open on weekdays, I believe.

On the other hand, you can get all that info from their website, if you are patient enough to search around. Here is a list of all the dayhikes in the Coke: http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/coconin ... 4&actid=50

Here is Inner Basin: http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino ... 0&actid=50

[cactusrose63]

Thanks everyone for all the great info!!

[BobBeardsley]

Weatherford is a favorite trail. Much prettier than Humphrey Summit Trail with better views along the way. Nice, gentle grade and very few people.