Old Caves Crater Loop Trail • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jul 18 2025
		tibber • Triplogs 1,571

Hiking	2.13 Miles	361 AEG

Hiking	2.13 Miles	1 Hour 4 Mns	2.24 mph
	361 ft AEG	7 Mns Break

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slowandsteady

writelots

Posting 8-15-2025
and so it begins. We all met at my house in the AM and headed north after getting some coffee to go. I always like to do a hike on the way and this was my choice. We picked up some lunch at Safeway for afterward before heading to what I kept calling "Old Man" Crater. This would be somewhat of a lingering issue for me while the team (Wendy and Angela) and guest (Kathy - we offered her team or guest and she chose guest) were touring.

It was a little warmer than I like. The trail, per usual, is in great shape and the switchbacks are right up my alley. The views really are worth the hike as you make your way up the crater. I knew I wouldn't make it to the caves as I just wanted to hike. The girls found the caves as I waited for them under a tree.

We stopped at a little store in the 76 station on the way out of town that has lots of fun stuff. We planned to stop there on our way back, but we didn't come back that way. And now it was off to Cedar Breaks; our stop for the first day.

and wait for it... my minute and a half video [ youtube video ] , but I'll make up for it

_____________________

For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled.

Aug 08 2023

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,627
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,762

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Old Caves Crater Short Loop, AZ

Hiking		Aug 08 2023
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,762

Hiking	3.91 Miles	629 AEG

Hiking	3.91 Miles	1 Hour 26 Mns		2.79 mph
	629 ft AEG	2 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

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LindaAnn

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

With some bonus time on our hands and a desire to prolong our return to the Death Star, we decided to try something new on our way back. First, we made a pit stop at the Chevron station. Linda was on the verge of excitement when she discovered they offered Ethanol-free gas... albeit with a $2.00 per gallon surcharge.

The trail complex consists of a decent set of urban tracks that includes a 500-foot climb to the peak. True to its name, the trail features some caves and alcoves at the summit. While they didn't seem to go very deep or far, we took our time exploring them. Wearing her junior archaeologist's hat, Linda astutely observed at the top that there were traces of what appeared to be old "rooms." Armed with her magnifying glass and deductive reasoning, she unearthed some shards and a metate.

We continued our descent along the southern side and completed the short eastern portion of the loop, which brought us back to the trailhead.

This trail is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. Remarkably, we managed to evade all the storms that loomed throughout the day, allowing us to enjoy intermittent moments of cloud cover.

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

Aug 08 2023

LindaAnn

Guides 110
Routes 2,248
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,602

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Aug 08 2023
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,602

Hiking	3.59 Miles	646 AEG

Hiking	3.59 Miles	1 Hour 26 Mns	2.76 mph
	646 ft AEG	8 Mns Break

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The_Eagle

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We ended up with more available time to hike than anticipated, so opted for a short hike before heading back to Phoenix. After getting gas at the Chevron on Hwy 89–they have ethanol free, I was happy—we headed over to the Landfill trailhead for Old Caves Crater. Nobody else there on a weekday, but I imagine weekends fill up.

The lower part of the trail was soft cinders, kind of like walking in sand, but the trail surface hardened as we climbed up the small cinder hill. Some nice views of the Peaks to the west. The high point seemed to be the north summit, but the south summit is the main point of the hike. A short spur led us to the “caves”, more like alcoves, but interesting to poke around. There are a few levels on the south facing side with small caves. I commented one area looked like old walls, and then a few minutes later we noticed half a metate and tons of pot sherds. I guess those were old walls.

After that, we headed down the trail on the south side of the hill, then took the East Loop back to our starting point. A bit warm, but the breeze was nice.

Cute network of urban trails for the locals. Not a hike I’d go out of my way to do, but given the close proximity to the highway, certainly worth a quick visit while in the area with spare time. Nice day, and the traffic on the 17 wasn’t too bad, even got some rain.

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

Jul 05 2023

tibber

Guides 21
Routes 1,183
Photos 36,909
Triplogs 1,571

69 female

Joined Feb 26 2004
Phoenix, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jul 05 2023
		tibber • Triplogs 1,571

Hiking	2.69 Miles	517 AEG

Hiking	2.69 Miles	1 Hour 8 Mns	2.48 mph
	517 ft AEG	3 Mns Break

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Im trying to do this on my phone so we'll see. My first hike on my way to Montana. This has some elevation and I can adjust it based on time. From Phoenix, I got started 20 minutes later than I wanted and I had to backtrack to a Q-T for my frozen cappucino AND THEN it seems they changed the cup size and it confused me

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At Flagstaff, before my turn, I stopped by Subway on the 89 to pick up a sandwich for the trip; I was surprised it was open this early, plus I got great service.

Oh ya, the hike. I headed east for the slow warm-up before the switchbacks started. I did get distracted by some flora and that would continue for the entire hike. I saw about 4 hikers on my way up and one with her dogs on the way down.

As I continued up, my views opened up toward the SF Peaks and even on a cloudless day, it really is spectacular. I tried working with Pro mode on my phone lowering the EV to -01 to see if I can tackle the overblown photos on bright days.

The last climb to the saddle is a quick little workout. This time I turned right to check out the hike's namesake. I had seen pictures but not closely so I wasn't sure what to expect. The caves are pretty sizable holes in the ground. The view from here is so awesome.

I started back and decided to go to the NE side of the summit so I got a little more elevation. The trail is pretty rocky. I took a photo and circled back. Shortly, as I was saying, "Self, I really like this hike, it would be a wonderful sunset hike." And down I went, extending my knee and crashing on my left elbow and tush.

Needless to say, I was a little more careful on this rolly poly lava rock and still had a smile on my face. Of course, I hope my knee won't be an issue. It did start to bother me a little on the drive so every time I got out of the car, I'd walk around.

I tried to make decent time on the way down, still enjoying the views and more flora. Anyway, you should do this little hike as part of your Flagstaff hiking, it's a good one.

I ate part of my sandwich and then started my drive ending up here at Bryce. On the drive north of The Gap, the clouds looked funny and as I ascended 89, I stopped at the scenic pullout to observe the billowing of smoke on the North Rim.

Watch 10:04-11:11AM, 2.33 miles, 7063-7623 elevation. 131 avg bpm/159 max burning 436 calories. Starting temp 80.9 sunny and windy, 18% humidity.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Horehound Skunkbush Spreading Fleabane Wire Lettuce

Wildflowers Observation Light

_____________________

For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled.

Aug 03 2020

tibber

Guides 21
Routes 1,183
Photos 36,909
Triplogs 1,571

69 female

Joined Feb 26 2004
Phoenix, AZ

Old Caves Crater and Half Loop, AZ

Hiking		Aug 03 2020
		tibber • Triplogs 1,571

Hiking	3.66 Miles	626 AEG

Hiking	3.66 Miles	2 Hrs 7 Mns	1.91 mph
	626 ft AEG	12 Mns Break

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bigfoot

desertgirl

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Monday, This was the last hike of our cooler time in Flagstaff. After Ambika found a "sub" for her as she wasn't coming into work we headed out for the Silver Saddle TH. On the way I noticed a three mile back up for road construction on the other side of the road. Sadly, I would have to wade through that after our hike. I don't know how long they are planning that road work but beware of it on 89a coming west into Flagstaff on weekdays.

The guide for the Old Caves Crater hike is somewhat discouraging so I actually had to do a little convincing. I found an article online that I think discusses this trail a lot more accurately as it turns out. I sent it to Ambika and she agreed. The TH is not that big as is indicated so you can use the Landfill TH as an alternate. However, hiking up from that side (north) is a little steeper and narrower as we would see when we hiked down.

This trail from Silver Saddle is a delight. Nice and wide and the switchbacks are at a very leisurely grade. It's a well-maintained trail on this side. Before our ascent we saw a HUGE fallen tree that had been split down the middle; I assume by lightning. We headed up the hill via off and on shade. As you near what you think is the top, the trail contours alongside this part and then turns to the east and then up a bit before the trail comes to a bit of a junction. If you go right, you can see the caves.... I didn't realize that so we just stayed on the main trail which goes left (north) to the summit. And the reason we know we missed the caves is we visited with a hiker up there.

The 360 views are pretty amazing and it was a clear day so we could see SE all the way to the Rim. I think I filmed a 360 when I was on top. We took some pics before heading down the north side. This trail is more like a regular trail. It is a little steep and slippery so you have to hang on. We got to the bottom and took the circumference around to the right (clockwise). We saw a squirrel but he was a fast little guy so I just basically got the moooned shot. The ground once again changes to the lava dirt/sand as we made our way around. There are scattered houses just to the east of where you hike. We did have a horseback rider go by and would see a few more at the TH. I think there is a stable over here for public riding.

It did warm up by the time we got back to the junction of the summit and circumference trail. We saw about 1/2 dozen hikers. We grabbed some snacks and a beer from our vehicles and went under the shade of a ponderosa before going our separate ways. This hike would be a great work-out hike as you can vary it up. Anyway, it was fun to climb a crater; how often can you say you've done that

. Here is my video: [ youtube video ]

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Apache Plume Skyrocket Unidentified Flora

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

_____________________

For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled.

May 18 2020

azbackpackr

Guides 27
Routes 518
Photos 5,861
Triplogs 883

72 female

Joined Jan 21 2006
Eagar AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		May 18 2020
		azbackpackr • Triplogs 883

Hiking	3.79 Miles	693 AEG

Hiking	3.79 Miles	1 Hour 42 Mns	2.53 mph
	693 ft AEG	12 Mns Break

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This time, after climbing to the summit, and down the other side, I caught the east part of the circumference loop, just to do something different. At some point I will probably hike to the summit, then do the entire circumference loop, and then hike back the other way over the summit. After that, I will probably be pretty tired of this trail!

It's an extremely windy day, but it wasn't bad at all in the woods. Wasn't even particularly bad on the top.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Cliff roses. This other thing is starting to bloom, on sort of a vine with red stems. Going to look it up. Flowers are magenta.

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There is a point of no return unremarked at the time in most lives. Graham Greene The Comedians
A clean house is a sign of a misspent life.

Mar 23 2011

hippiepunkpirate

Guides 25
Routes 36
Photos 2,890
Triplogs 658

39 male

Joined May 30 2008
Peoria, AZ