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Secret Trail #434 - Flagstaff - 1 member in 7 triplogs has rated this an average 1 ( 1 to 5 best )
7 triplogs
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Feb 01 2025
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 Routes 255
 Photos 8
 Triplogs 261

54 male
 Joined Feb 19 2015
 Phoenix
Secret Trail #434 - FlagstaffFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 01 2025
bjonsonTriplogs 261
Hiking11.59 Miles 1,521 AEG
Hiking11.59 Miles   4 Hrs   12 Mns   2.91 mph
1,521 ft AEG      13 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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Jul 22 2020
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 Routes 154
 Photos 1,505
 Triplogs 266

31 male
 Joined Jun 02 2019
 Phoenix, AZ
San Francisco Peaks Loop, AZ 
San Francisco Peaks Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jul 22 2020
LJWTriplogs 266
Hiking27.13 Miles 4,482 AEG
Hiking27.13 Miles   9 Hrs   20 Mns   3.16 mph
4,482 ft AEG      45 Mns Break
 
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
This is really more of a runner's circuit, but I gave it a go before I tried to mess with the route or add anything to it. Started with Humphreys Trail first from the Kachina TH in order to get the elevation out of the way before any storms could blow in.

Humphreys passed three groups and one pair of tents off the trail around 10kft.

Weatherford through Inner Basin didn't see anyone. Rees Fire was putting out a little smoke but died down later on. Really small, would be surprised if the rain didn't put it out. Stopped a few times to try to save my legs and enjoy the views inside the mountains. Clouds were blowing over the peaks by 8am.

Waterline watched the storms roll over Doney and into Flagstaff. First thunder at 10:30. Past a biker headed into the dark clouds over Lockett Meadow. Waterline starts and ends in nice forests and has a good angle on Doyle and the cluster of peaks to the southeast, but it's definitely better on a bike.

From Schultz Tank took the AZT from Weatherford and then Secret Trail, which is really a mountain biking trail. Cut through the forest to Kachina Spur. Kachina was a long 5 and a half miles. Rain for much of it. Ferns were covered in water and got me pretty soaked. Saw a lot of people on either end but few in the rainy middle.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
Mostly just Inner Basin and the lower parts of Waterline
  3 archives
Sep 24 2017
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 Guides 107
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,067
 Triplogs 514

male
 Joined Nov 18 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Christmas Tree Trail #160Flagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 24 2017
nonotTriplogs 514
Hiking27.00 Miles 2,000 AEG
Hiking27.00 Miles
2,000 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Wow, fall temperatures hit Flagstaff hard. I think it was 25 degrees cooler than the last visit just 2-3 weeks back. Nighttime temps dropped below freezing if you factor in the windchill. It made for nice hiking weather though during the day. Finished hiking tonight at 40 degrees right at sunset. Glad to finally have thawed out again.

Got AZT#32 wrapped up and a good start on #34.
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  1 archive
Aug 19 2016
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 Routes 39
 Photos 353
 Triplogs 128

37 male
 Joined Sep 30 2015
 Carrboro, NC
Schultz Pass Loop via Corridor, AZ 
Schultz Pass Loop via Corridor, AZ
 
Mtn Biking avatar Aug 19 2016
afrankieTriplogs 128
Mtn Biking11.18 Miles 1,237 AEG
Mtn Biking11.18 Miles   2 Hrs   7 Mns   6.45 mph
1,237 ft AEG      23 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Beginning at the Schultz Creek trailhead, this is an excellent mtb loop and a nice hike, split almost evenly between uphill and downhill sections. In a clockwise direction, starting at 6:00, head north on Schultz Creek Trail until splitting with Moto to the west. Moto continues until a right onto the AZT, and east again on to the Secret Trail until reaching the high point at Sunset Trail Parking Area. From thereon, it's all down hill:), and likely the most enjoyable downhill I've ever been on.

On a Friday the trails were quiet, only seeing a couple of hikers and a handful of bikers throughout the several miles. The potentially ominous weather helped, offering sprinkles and welcoming cloud cover throughout the ride. Thick into the pine forests, Moto, AZT, and Secret Trail within the Fort Valley trail system offer plenty of solitude with the exception of the wind carving through the endless pines. There was some trail maintenance with a dozer widening/leveling the trail in several spots.

Schultz Creek is a windy downhill from Sunset into the creek bed, rarely seeing sunshine from the overhanging pines. It's an superb downhill on a bike, which could be a drawback for hikers on the trail - some two-wheelers might be coming down with some serious speed and it's narrow at points. Popular with hikers and their four-legged ones, speed really had to be watched going aroud some turns not knowing who or what may be ahead. Forewarn to no matter what you're doing, it's a multi-use trail. I'd recommend it for a hike, but probably only on a weekday due to the biking popularity.

My personal mistake on this loop was that after splitting off onto the AZT, I then turned back on to Upper Moto, extending too far north ](*,) . Too stubborn to turn around, I decided to use the access road through the power corridor to return to the trail. It's safe to say that the power road was designed for 4x4s, not bikes...after some exhaustion I returned to the trail with only a little uphill remaining...more than ready for the downhill. :lol:


Note - photos are from vista just before trailhead.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Wildflowers dispersed throughout the trail, but the yellow field on the way in - holey moley!

dry Schultz Creek Dry Dry
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Footloose adventures are documented instagram @afrankie8.
  3 archives
Aug 02 2015
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 Guides 9
 Routes 33
 Photos 780
 Triplogs 4,634

44 male
 Joined Nov 25 2008
 Scottsdale, AZ
Secret Trail #434 - FlagstaffFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Aug 02 2015
BoonemanTriplogs 4,634
Run/Jog11.50 Miles 572 AEG
Run/Jog11.50 Miles   1 Hour   35 Mns   7.26 mph
572 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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Pure running bliss! Thanks to my buddy Tim, I may have found the nicest, flatest, smoothest trail to run in Flagstaff. If anyone has other similar suggestions, feel free to send them my way.
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Jun 03 2015
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 Guides 1
 Routes 11
 Photos 49
 Triplogs 15

81 male
 Joined Oct 28 2014
 Tucson, AZ
Secret Trail #434 - FlagstaffFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 03 2015
ads99Triplogs 15
Hiking8.30 Miles 837 AEG
Hiking8.30 Miles   3 Hrs   48 Mns   2.34 mph
837 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Partners none no partners
I was looking to do an eight to ten mile hike at 8,000 ft. for more altitude acclimation, before doing higher Elden hikes, and the Secret Trail looked to be just the thing. First, to get, to the upper Elden Mountain hikes is an adventure in itself. I went up Elden Springs Road off US 89, as I knew it was straight and without drop-offs – but it is a truly lame road. Free of rocks, but bumpy and extremely narrow, even for one car. I don’t know how an oncoming car could pass on 50% of this road. After the hike I went down the Schultz Pass Road toward US 180. From previously hiking the Schultz Creek Trail I knew this road bordered a ravine most of the way. The road is in good condition, but very curvy with steep drop-offs, so beware! Passing is possible.

The Secret Trail starts at the same trailhead parking lot as the Sunset Trail and the upper end of the Schultz Creek Trail. The trail itself is noted by tall Ponderosa Pine, meadows, and at its crest has good panoramic views (see photos). I took the Secret Trail to where it meets the Moto Trail – which was not my intention. If you want to take the entire Secret Trail you have to take the Newham Trail, as they overlap, which was not marked with signage in any way. So I took the Moto Trail down to the AZT. This required some map skills, and picking my way over some fire roads, and a “gas pipeline clearing as well. Once you get down to the AZT it is clear route back to the trailhead.

This a good out of the way trail. I encountered only one biker and just one other hiker – who was doing the whole AZT from the Mexican border up.
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  1 archive
Oct 08 2008
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 Routes 36
 Photos 2,658
 Triplogs 1,347

67 male
 Joined Jul 28 2004
 Scottsdale, AZ
Sunset Trail #23 - FlagstaffFlagstaff, AZ
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 08 2008
mazatzalTriplogs 1,347
Hiking8.10 Miles 910 AEG
Hiking8.10 Miles   3 Hrs   50 Mns   2.11 mph
910 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Did a nice loop from Schultz Tank. Sunset - Brookbank - Dry Lake Hills Vista and back to Schultz Tank.
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  4 archives
average hiking speed 2.45 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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