Getting to O'Leary Peak, Inner Basin trailheads

Newbie hiker · Post by **Newbie hiker** » May 22 2003 8:58 am

Hi! I'm planning on doing a hike or two in Flagstaff this weekend. Has anyone been to either O'Leary Peak or Inner Basin recently? I need to know if I can get to the trailheads in my sedan, or if I need to chose other trails.

Thanks!

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » May 22 2003 9:09 am

Hi Newbie

Each hike on site has road conditions. Listed in a gray box with directions.

I quickly looked up O'Leary and it says "car okay"

Newbie hiker · Post by **Newbie hiker** » May 22 2003 9:28 am

I didn't mean to clutter up the board, but I noticed that it was a dirt/gravel road and that the review is over a year old. A lot can change on a dirt road in a year. Is there a phone number at the forest service I should call for the current conditions?

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » May 22 2003 9:35 am

hey that's certainly a valid concern, here's the number

Peaks Ranger Ranger District
928-526-0866

as always, if anybody finds any info to be out of date just let me know

lweller · Post by **lweller** » May 22 2003 1:31 pm

Hi Newbie,

Your best bet might be a call to the peaks ranger station, but I was there a couple
of weeks ago (I live in Flag), and although the older women working there were very nice,
I have a good feeling that they've never stepped foot on any trails in the area.
However, they surely can let you know whether or not the road to Lockett Meadow
(for Inner Basin trail) is open or not (closes for the winter).

The last time I hiked O'Leary was about 8 months ago. The road wasn't too bad, but
this is coming from a truck owner who has lots of clearance. The approach to O'Leary
is all cinders, with maybe a rut here or there. The climb up to the saddle (where you
will park) may have more ruts. If your clearance is too low you might have a problem.
I know that a campground was going to built near the base of O'Leary, so they might
have improved road conditions for this. If you don't get good info from the peaks
district ranger station, give Sunset Crater a call - they were the ones who told
me about the campground.

Of the two hikes you mentioned, the Inner Basin far exceeds O'Leary. The latter is
a quick hike to the top of an old volcano with nice views (once you get up the
fire tower) and is worth the hike, but for traveling so far you'd probably get more
out of the basin hike.

If the road to the basin is still closed, you might try the Weatherford trail on the south
face of the mountain or the Bear Jaw/Abinue loop (sp?). Both are longer, more
challenging hikes than the two you mentioned, but they are worth it. And I think
if you dry carefully your vehicle can make it just fine (very well maintained road).
Or maybe doing some hikes in the Dry Lakes/Elden area are worth looking into. This
area is mostly a haunt for locals so you won't run into too many people, plus there
are tons of options and your vehicle can definitely get down Shultz Pass road.

Whatever you do, enjoy a beautiful weekend in Flagstaff!

- Lynn