Flagstaff - AZT #33 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Rocky Ridge Trail #153

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Big Loop around Mt Elden using various trails. This is a great route. It was hot but I had a water stash at mile 15 which was a life saver. Felt surprisingly good

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hi

Jun 07 2025

ScaredyCat

Guides 2
Routes 207
Photos 93
Triplogs 204

male

Joined Aug 08 2020
Phx az

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jun 07 2025
		ScaredyCat • Triplogs 204

Hiking	14.46 Miles	2,085 AEG

Hiking	14.46 Miles	7 Hrs 21 Mns	2.60 mph
	2,085 ft AEG	1 Hour 47 Mns Break

no photosets

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Brookbank Trail #2

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

Met in PHX @730. Showed 8 going day before. Ended up squeezing 5 of us into 1 vehicle to Rocky Ridge TH. Took on a lengthy loop for this outing. Started with MTN bikers on Schultz Creek.

Took a break at Sunset TH. Sunset was the highest + steepest trail of the day. Added on a hill for a viewpoint. Then switched to Brookbank. Some fire devastation here.

Part of Brookbank has been decommissioned. This led to downed trees etc. Eventually connected up with Rocky Ridge. That trail closed out the loop. Lengthiest hike I'd gone on for a couple months. Old school Sizzler afterward.

Oct 14 2023

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Oct 14 2023
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	16.88 Miles	1,484 AEG

Hiking	16.88 Miles	7 Hrs 2 Mns	2.56 mph
	1,484 ft AEG	27 Mns Break

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Schultz Creek Trail #152

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I planned to start from the Sunset Trailhead, but I wasn't aware that Schultz Pass Road is closed for a fire thinning project. I was able to quickly adjust and found the other end of where I was going to end my hike where the AZT intersects Snow Bowl Road. There are two small parking areas there, so I pulled in one of them and was on my way.

Temperature was pretty cool to start at 45 degrees so I put on a sweatshirt. It didn't take long to not need it, but it also never got warm enough to need to take it off. Most of this section is very level and goes thru the ponderosas with some open meadows here and there and glimpses of the San Francisco Peaks. At about 9:20am I could tell that the eclipse was dimming the sunlight enough to make things look odd. That only lasted about 25 minutes and then everything was normal again.

Just passed the split of the urban and equestrian bypass along the equestrian bypass was the nicest spot that opened up and gave the best view of the peaks. Lots of color on the south slopes from the aspens and some other trees.

I took the AZT all the way to the start of Passage 34 by the Weatherford TH and then took the Schultz Creek Trail back to Passage 33. At that junction I took a lunch break and then hiked 3/4 of mile south on 33 and headed back up to 34 and back to where I parked.

Saw only a few hikers, mostly bikers, but not even a whole lot of those. No wildlife other than some chipmunks. 7 hours of hiking through the pines in 60-70 degree weather, very peaceful.

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Jun 11 2023

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jun 11 2023
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	15.25 Miles	1,398 AEG

Hiking	15.25 Miles	7 Hrs 9 Mns	2.31 mph
	1,398 ft AEG	33 Mns Break

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Sandys Canyon Trail #137

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Day 2 of the Flagstaff trip and I was back and Sandy’s Canyon again, but this time at the proper, actual trailhead. My goal for this day was to hike to where I left off 3 weeks earlier when I hiked part of AZT33 starting from central Flagstaff hiking south to the pine trees. Out and back from Sandy’s Canyon this was only 8 miles. While I was out at where I left off, I hiked over to where I had hiked 5 years earlier from the Little America Hotel trail system. I overlapped my previous hike, but I really barely remember this turnaround spot.

Once I got back to the junction with Sandy’s Canyon trail, I decided to head south more on the AZT towards Marshall Lake to do some of that. At the bottom of the hill is a large, interesting red colored rock formation similar to the one under Fisher Point at the junction. I figured I would go a mile or 2 and ended up going almost another 4. This section of the trail has also had extensive re-routes that seem to add mileage for zigzagging across the old alignment for no good reason. Even the route up the hill to the mesa has some rerouting.

The climb to the top of the mesa was very gradual and easy. Had a few rocky sections here and there, but not as bad as the one gnarly rocky section on the Sandy’s Canyon Trail once it levels out at the bottom. About half way up there is a clearing with some emerging undergrowth and burnt looking ponderosas. Looked like a possible lightning strike a few years ago.

At the top it was very level and smooth. I had started slower in the morning, due to soreness from the day before and being tired. By the time I was up there, I was picking up some steam and had hiked pretty far. I stopped around 11:30am for lunch and to turn around, budgeting the time I would need to get back to pick up Dmitri at NAU from his summer camp.

The weather was actually a bit chilly at the start with the sun low. I actually had my sweatshirt on, but didn’t need as soon as the sun hit. The weather still remained cool and breezy throughout the day. There were a few times when the wind picked up a bit, especially on top of the mesa. The combined effect of the feeling and hearing the wind, the smell of the pines, and general peace and quiet made for a very stress reducing environment.

Saw more hikers than bikers this day. A couple hikers asked if I was hiking the AZT, making for interesting small talk. I ended up doing over 15 miles, giving me almost 34 for the weekend. Surprisingly feeling pretty good on the Monday afterwards.

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cross-bedding

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May 20 2023

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 669
Photos 12,096
Triplogs 856

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		May 20 2023
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 856

Hiking	7.36 Miles	460 AEG

Hiking	7.36 Miles	2 Hrs 39 Mns	2.78 mph
	460 ft AEG

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I arrived at the Fry's parking lot at the bottom of Switzer Canyon to sunny skies with some clouds. this was much more welcome than the nearby storm over by Walnut Canyon. I headed southbound to make the other crossing under I-40, so a little further and head back.

the trail follows sidewalks and parts of the FUTS over to the Rio de Flag wastewater treatment plant and the goes around an effluent pond an up the hill into the forest. I can't tell but it looks like the AZT may have been redesignated along some streets there. I followed the markers, but the part along 180 from Butler St to Fry's doesn't seem to have markers. And the track I had seemed to show crossing the intersection where there is currently no crosswalk.

The best part of this hike was obviously once I got past the urban area and into the woods, although walking through seldom seen parts of urban infrastructure are still interesting to me as an engineer. I turned around at the 3 mile mark since the brewing storm to the east that I left seemed to be creeping a bit closer. Once i got back to Fry's I still had an hour to kill so I headed up Switzer Canyon a bit to the roundabout and headed back. Total mileage for the day was 17.3. It would have been nicer to do this all one way and get some more of the trail done, but considering how bleak things looked the day before, I was glad to get a full day of hiking in.

Took 17 back to Phoenix. The road conditions have gotten way worse. Lots of necessary resurfacing going on, but I think they need to pick up the pace a bit. Also nice to see the construction for the extra lanes through Black canyon. That's going to take quite a long time I'm sure, but very much needed.

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Jun 29 2022

azbackpackr

Guides 27
Routes 518
Photos 5,861
Triplogs 883

72 female

Joined Jan 21 2006
Eagar AZ

Rio de Flag Trail - AZT #33 - Bow and Arrow, AZ

Mtn Biking		Jun 29 2022
		azbackpackr • Triplogs 883

Mtn Biking	10.90 Miles	446 AEG

Mtn Biking	10.90 Miles	2 Hrs 49 Mns	4.19 mph
	446 ft AEG	13 Mns Break

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Rio de Flag Urban Trail

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This is a great area to explore on a mountain bike. The Arizona Trail #33 going through here is known to many, but for my skills (or lack thereof) it is often too steep. The Rio de Flag section, and some of the unnamed spurs I followed (see GPS route) were easy and not too techy for me. The Bow and Arrow Trail is very fun, especially heading east on it.

I started at Sam's Club parking lot and within less than 10 minutes I was out of the city and heading down a meadow with the Rio going through it. I had gone here the day before, and decided to come back and explore it further. I briefly dipped a little bit onto the Flagstaff Loop Trail, which is also a bit hard for me. I need to get some bike time, because I used to be a little bit better rider than I am now.

I looped back along the AZT, which I had to get off and walk, both uphill and down, several times. Then I turned left (west) at the big pond with the ducks, and followed the Bow and Arrow Trail to Lonetree Road. I reversed direction, and now the Bow and Arrow Trail, with a slight downhill slant, was a blast! No photos from that one, maybe next time. I was too busy riding fast.

This is not a place I will go on a weekend. I saw a few people, mostly on bikes, but I suspect it's busy on weekends due to its proximity to town. There are still sections I haven't explored yet.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Mexican Hat

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Kaibab Limestone

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] HAZ Rides

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Mexican Hat, Dalmation Toadflax

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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.

1 archive

Oct 05 2021

clyde_joelle

Triplogs 43

70 female

Joined Jan 01 2019
Sierra Vista

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Oct 05 2021
		clyde_joelle • Triplogs 43

Hiking	14.80 Miles	1,916 AEG

Hiking	14.80 Miles
	1,916 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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Did AZT 32 instead of re-route. But completed all 800 miles of the AZT

Jul 08 2021

kingsnake

Guides 117
Routes 337
Photos 11,399
Triplogs 894

63 male

Joined Dec 20 2010
Sunnyslope, PHX

McMillan Mesa Trail - FUTS

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jul 08 2021
		kingsnake • Triplogs 894

Hiking	7.39 Miles	417 AEG

Hiking	7.39 Miles	2 Hrs 26 Mns	3.04 mph
	417 ft AEG

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Nate Avery Trail - Buffalo Park - FUTS

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This week is my third of likely ten 2021 Wildfire Season forest closure hikes: Five of Arizona’s six national forests, plus all BLM and Arizona State Trust land, are closed until at least September 1st, due to wildfire threat. Other than shoplifting a piece of penny candy — I am that old — when I was eight, my criminal record is clean and I prefer to keep it that way.

From Agave Mexican Restaurant on Route 66, I took the sidewalk north along Ponderosa Pkwy. Just past the fire station, the sidewalk bends left, away from the road. In 200 ft., the trail splits: Left is a driveway; stay right on the Arizona Trail, which climbs 150 ft. in the next ½ mile to the top of McMillan Mesa. (Other than crossing Ponderosa Pkwy., this section is only real shade on this hike.)

At the top of the climb, is the McMillan Mesa Trail. A loop, I went right, counter-clockwise, to stay on the Arizona Trail. The interior of McMillan Mesa is prairie, dotted with ponderosa pine, gambel oak and alligator juniper. There’s good spot shade, but if you are moving, it only lasts a split second.

The Arizona Trail passes by a church, before turning north. There are four benches in the next 1¼ miles, with scenic views of Mount Elden, Agassiz Peak, Fremont Peak and/or Doyle Peak. Unfortunately, there’s quite a bit of construction near the electrical substation. Coconino High School, where I used to coach a pee-wee football team in the mid-80s, is below the substation.

Two miles into the hike, the Arizona Trail crosses the Matt Kelly Urban Trail Bridge over Cedar Ave. Just beyond the bridge is the Buffalo Park Trailhead, which has a picnic cabana, three coed restrooms with running water, a bike rack, multiple benches, info signs, and all the other usual developed trailhead amenities. I saw no garbage, but it’s worth noting, both McMillan Mesa Trail and Nate Avery Trail have garbage cans dotted along them.

It’s no surprise Nate Avery Trail is the most popular trail in Flagstaff, there were many dog walkers, mountain bikers, trail runners, and old people gaggles following it around Buffalo Park. In a pleasant departure from the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, all the mountain bikes were polite, and all the dogs leashed.

Nate Avery Trail has mileage markers every ¼ mile. Just past the second marker, Nate Avery Trail re-crosses the Arizona Trail. After checking out the natural gas line, and the beginning of Oldham Trail #1, I continued around Buffalo Park. Around the 1¼ marker, there remains of some curious stone and cement structures, that look like ranch remains.

Back at the Buffalo Park Trailhead, I turned down Switzer Canyon Trail, past the McPherson Park disc golf course, ⅔ of a mile to Forest Ave. (Use the crosswalk.) I turned left, 150 ft. up the sidewalk, then at the top turned right onto McMillan Mesa Trail. 300 yds. south of Forest Ave. is the memorial for the McMillan Mesa mid-air collision.

Just south of the memorial, McMillan Mesa Trail splits left, passing east through a small retirement community. After crossing Pine Cliff Dr. McMillan Mesa Trail closes it’s loop back at the Arizona Trail. On the way back down the AZT, I took short sit down break in the shady area.

I met my wife back at Agave Mexican Restaurant at 11:20 a.m., where I proceeded to rehydrate with a pair of Tecates. The chile colorado was so delicious, I couldn’t help but finish my plate. No leftovers!

Hike Video: https://vimeo.com/573625968

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Calliopsis Field Bindweed Skyrocket Sulphur Buckwheat Twistspine pricklypear Western Yarrow Wild Geranium

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cag Shot HAZ - Selfie HAZ Food Informational/Interpretive Sign Memorial

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Agassiz Peak Buffalo Park Doyle Peak Doyle Saddle Dry Lake Hills Elden Mountain Fremont Peak Fremont Saddle McMillan Mesa

Wildflowers Observation Light
Twistspine prickly pear, prairie sunflower, pineywoods geranium, field bindweed, common mallow, Wheeler’s thistle, western yarrow, sulphur buckwheat, dandelion, mexican hat, and a couple of small things I did not photograph. The most common flower looked like a sunflower, but I don't think it is. Check the photoset, if you can ID it.

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http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored.

Oct 10 2020

desertadapted

Photos 117
Triplogs 23

48 male

Joined Apr 25 2017
Phoenix, AZ

Kaibab Plateau Central - AZT #41

Northwest, AZ

Kaibab Plateau Central - AZT #41

Northwest, AZ

Backpack		Oct 10 2020
		desertadapted • Triplogs 23

Backpack	175.00 Miles

Backpack	175.00 Miles	8 Days

no routes

no photosets

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Kaibab Plateau South - AZT #40

Grand Canyon - North Rim - AZT #39

Grand Canyon - Inner Gorge - AZT #38

Grand Canyon - South Rim - AZT #37

Coconino Rim - AZT #36

Babbitt Ranch - AZT #35

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I'm continuing my project of trying to section hike the AZT. Much of Passages 42 and 43 (From UT to Jacob Lake) are closed due to fire activity, so I'm leaving those final two passages for the spring/summer of 2021. This report will be succinct.

Day 1. Light day with a late start and early camp. There is substantial historical fire damage (I'm not educated enough to know how much of the damage was from clear cutting). I was just glad to be on the trail.

Day 2. Made a big push to complete Passage #41 and #40, camping about 1/2 mile from the park boundary. It was one of my top ten favorite days hiking. After leaving behind burn/clear cut, I got to enjoy fall color, lovely forest, meadows, etc. Although I may have just hit it at the right time of year, Passage #40 is easily one my of favorite AZT Passages.

Day 3. Woke up to a frozen water bottle and proceeded into Passage #39 (GCNP North Rim). After kicking around the North Rim for a bit, I hiked down to Cottonwood Campground. Hiking Rim to Rim in the past, I'd never thought much of the campground. How wrong I was! Tastefully located with excellent spacing between sites, I'm looking forward to going back.

Day 4. Had an alpine start to avoid too warm a hike up the South Kaibab trail, given that it's so sun exposed beginning at the Tonto. I was sad to miss as much of the Canyon interior as I did, but I'd gotten my fill a few weeks before, and wanted to make sure I was safe. After a successful resupply at the very friendly post office, I walked into Tusayan for a late lunch. The trail to Tusayan is on a bike path and is no fun at all. After some beer and vittles, I hiked out of Tusayan a few miles before collapsing.

Day 5. AZT #36 is just too pretty. I hadn't registered how many GC views it provides. The Grandview Tower was well worth the stop (along with cached water). I tuckered out near Moqui Stage Station, wanting to get some rest before a big push across Babbitt Ranch.

Day 6. AZT #35 was a study in contrasts. The ATA appears to have completed some amazing re-routes that have eliminated historical road walks (only a few miles of road remain). They did a great job - the trail is very well done. But Passage 35 is still exposed and dry as all get out. I spent most of it hiding under my umbrella and mumbling. Were it not for Tub Ranch, where there is a critical water source, I think I'd have cried. I also fell in love with the local dog. After a brief road walk out to the Coconino NF boundary, I crashed, glad the day was over. Beautiful trail, but that's tough country to love.

Day 7. AZT #34 is famous, and rightly so. The San Francisco Peaks are a real treat. I could hike that Passage over and over. If you were in the area and saw some strange dude hugging a pine tree, it wasn't me. I swear. I crashed out a few miles past Alfa Fia tank (is a tank really a tank without cow dung all over?). Alfa Fia itself was crowded with hikers out to see the sunset. The energy was great.

Day 8. I've got lots of love for the ATA and there are major limits on where trail can be sited, but I am not a fan of the Flagstaff urban bypass route. The first stretch you're in significant competition with mountain bikers who really really really want you to get out of the way. The second stretch, there's a fair bit of uphill, which was a bit of a bummer given that all I had on my mind was a shower, pizza and beer. But I finally got my whiney self to a motel, where I accomplished all three. To glorious excess.

As a parting note, the trip would not have been nearly as fun were it not for the dedicated ATA volunteers who provided water caches at critical points along the trail. Manna from heaven. Interestingly, during my week on trail, I only encountered three NOBO and no SOBO backpackers (other than within the GC), so the SOBO flow was not substantial enough for me to overtake/be overtaken by anyone else. Not sure if that's par for the course or whether COVID and fires have done their number on trail volumes.

I'm looking forward to Passages 42 and 43 next year and really hope that in the next ~6-7 years I'm able to find time to do the whole trail as a thru-hike. Thank you ATA!

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Aug 30 2020

tibber

Guides 21
Routes 1,182
Photos 36,858
Triplogs 1,570

69 female

Joined Feb 26 2004
Phoenix, AZ

JWP Trail - AZT 33, AZ

Hiking		Aug 30 2020
		tibber • Triplogs 1,570

Hiking	7.41 Miles	681 AEG

Hiking	7.41 Miles	2 Hrs 33 Mns	3.07 mph
	681 ft AEG	8 Mns Break

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[ checklist ] Blanketflower Broom Groundsel Hoary Tansyaster Lewis Flax Purple Loco Ragleaf bahia Threadleaf Groundsel Unidentified Flora

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

After an hour or so of research of trails near the area where we were staying (off of Old Lake Mary Rd, near the 17), I finally decided to see if I could get to the Fisher Point Jct off of the AZT from the JWP Trail. The family got packed up and everyone went there separate ways around 9:30.

The GPS wanted to take me to the Sandy's Canyon TH but I knew, based on the map, I wanted to start near here so I turned left instead of right. The TH I chose was actually just below the house altho I thot it was further away. There were only a couple vehicles in the lot. It is the TH near Coconino Community College at the Jct with S Lone Tree Rd and E. JW Powell Blvd. So I checked out the large trail sign to verify I would be going the right way to my destination. I went under the underpass but you can actually bypass that by going up east of the parking lot.

I was on my way on the JWP Trail https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/1799/JWP-Trail which is really just walking along a boulevard near a housing area. (Check out the link for all of the trails in the FUTS system and more to come). This was a good time of year for that as there were all sorts of wildflowers blooming. Along the way I stopped someone to verify that I would encounter the jct with Fisher Point and he said I would and that there was a sign. There were a few others out and several bike riders. I finally made it to the jct and there is indeed a sign.

You turn east on the city Fisher Point Trail and head on down the road at the back side of the housing area; lovely houses by the way that are spaced out nicely. I believe it is part of the Pine Canyon Club complex and golf course. There were some more wildflowers to enjoy as you make your way to real trail and into the Coconino Forest and AZT 33. The trail conditions instantly change. I encountered a few people coming back here and there and during this part of the hike, a few bike riders as well.

I thot it would only be a couple miles to the junction but it ended up being further than I thot. It's hard to read maps on your cellphone. I thot when I came around each corner I would come to the clearing where the junction was but that didn't quite happen. I kept saying one more mile and I'm turning but I ended up hiking almost 4 miles to get there. It was a pretty hike along here with wildflowers and scenery to keep me entertained. The temperature was pleasant as well and of course, it was so green. The trail is nice. There are several trails that intersect along the way so you have to be somewhat mindful and watch for the AZT stickers.

I was happy to finally make the junction at the end of Skunk Canyon and enjoy the beautiful vista toward Fisher Point. It really is a nice point of interest to enjoy. There were a few people here and there too and some more wildflowers. After taking some pictures with my new phone, I turned around and headed back up the Canyon and past Fay Canyon. Somewhere along here I pulled over and took a 5 minute nap as I knew I needed some sort of break since I hadn't hike-hiked in a while. When I got up I realized I was a tad hungry too. Fortunately I had a little granola bar in my waist pack so that could hold me until lunch.

I would still encounter bike riders along the way and an occasional hiker too; maybe 1/2 dozen on my way back. I noticed additional wildflowers and also the weather was starting to change rather dramatically as the thunder burst through the air and the clouds were more thick now. I can't remember now if I had my umbrella with me but I picked up the pace a little as I still had a couple miles to finish.

I made it back to the jct with JWP Trail Boulevard and it was pretty much downhill from there. Once again there were several bunches of wildflowers along the way that would distract me. I really hadn't planned on this long of hike as I wanted to beat the Sunday I-17 traffic but it was too late now as they say. As I got closer to the TH I could see I could take the trail directly into the parking lot and not have to use the underpass and since it was spitting rain now, I chose that option. And just as I got in my car, that rain let loose. How's that for timing

! And once again, like Thursday, the rain would stop pretty quickly.

Now it was a matter of finding lunch somewhere before I started my long drive home as I would hit an hour delay in a 10 mile stretch; fortunately, it wasn't quite as hot this summer day.

Here is a video from the hike [ youtube video ] .

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

Wildflowers Observation Light
Mexican Hats, Golden Eyes and Rods, a few I couldn't ID (the white daisy-like one could have been Boltonia)

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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 15 2020

desertadapted

Photos 117
Triplogs 23

48 male

Joined Apr 25 2017
Phoenix, AZ

Flagstaff North Urban Trail

Flagstaff North Urban Trail

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Aug 15 2020
		desertadapted • Triplogs 23

Hiking	43.00 Miles	4,650 AEG

Hiking	43.00 Miles
	4,650 ft AEG		10 LBS Pack

no routes

no photosets

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Mount Elden - AZT #32

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Wanting to hike my age in miles, and looking to complete the AZT sections around Flagstaff, I decided to do the AZT Urban Trail, head through the Walnut Canyon Passage, then back north through the Elden Passage and the very southern bit of the SF Peaks Passage. I wouldn't recommend it unless I disliked you. I began my alpine start at the Butler Ave Motel 6 (classy and right next to the AZT!). The trail was beautiful through the Walnut Canyon area. As you head east back toward the 40 it gets more exposed, which continues until you wend you way back west toward Elden. I hike with a Chrome Dome -- with that kind of mileage staying cool was a priority. The thing is that around Flag you encounter a lot of folks who are not really prepared for just how dorky I can look when trying to avoid the sun. I got a lot of bemused looks. I ended the hike with about 2,500 calories of Culver's. I still haven't fully recovered from either the hike or the Culver's.

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Jun 02 2020

screeslider5267

Triplogs 52

73 female

Joined Jun 24 2015
Tucson, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Jun 02 2020
		screeslider5267 • Triplogs 52

Hiking	14.80 Miles	1,916 AEG

Hiking	14.80 Miles
	1,916 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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This was my final leg of the AZT. Did Sandy's Canyon to Buffalo Park on May 31, 2020 and Schultz Pass to Buffalo Park on June 2, 2020. Added the previously undone section of #34 from Alfa Fia Tank to Schulz Pass on June 1. Great hiking companions, perfect weather, especially at night. The days wanted to get hot and in full sun it was a little oppressive, but overall a very pleasant body experience. Irises were out as were other wildflowers.

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May 15 2020

garyc57

Routes 69
Photos 454
Triplogs 112

68 male

Joined Mar 20 2010
Mesa, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		May 15 2020
		garyc57 • Triplogs 112

Hiking	3.31 Miles	370 AEG

Hiking	3.31 Miles	1 Hour 21 Mns		2.45 mph
	370 ft AEG		20 LBS Pack

Linked

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Original plans were to hike from Buffalo Park to Schultz Pass trailhead. On the drive out to Schultz Pass, the road was closed. We weren't aware of that. (on-going thinning operations?) So, we changed plans to hike from where the AZT crosses E. Mt. Elden Lookout Road down to Buffalo Park. Oops - the Mt. Elden Lookout Road was closed, too. AGH!

So, I bushwhacked from the closure uphill to join the AZT, turned on the tracking in Route Scout, and started hiking south. My sweetheart turned around, and drove back to Buffalo Park.

I quickly came to the junction of AZT and the Rocky Ridge trail. I turned south, and continued hiking.

Crossed Mt. Elden Lookout Road, and started a dirt road walk. I was expecting to "road walk" for a half mile or more, but after about a quarter of a mile, the road ended, and I was on a trail, lined with HUGE boulders, tree branches, and other forest detritus. After a few hundred yards I figured out that the Forest Service(?) didn't want people driving on that dirt road, so as part of the forest thinning project, they put all the "junk" along half of the road, turning a two-track into a single-track!

There are a LOT of hiking and biking trails in the Flagstaff area, so keep your head up, and watch where you're hiking.

After a steep PUD (Pointless Up and Down), the trail descends into a small valley crossing forest road 9166N, and another nameless road. Here, I saw a herd of 8-10(?) deer. I took several pictures trying to catch the deer, but only one had a deer in it.

Hiking up the other side of the valley, I met my Trail Angel Extraordinaire, and we hiked to Buffalo Park. Shortly after meeting, we saw another small (3-5?) herd of deer, running in the same direction as the prior herd. I snapped off more pictures, but only one had a deer.

Shortly, we were in the park boundaries, and the wide path, so we were able to hold hands, and walk back to the car.

Another wonderful day on the AZT.

(Still, no rattlesnakes spotted!)

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May 14 2020

garyc57

Routes 69
Photos 454
Triplogs 112

68 male

Joined Mar 20 2010
Mesa, AZ

Grand Canyon - South Rim - AZT #37

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		May 14 2020
		garyc57 • Triplogs 112

Hiking	6.68 Miles	520 AEG

Hiking	6.68 Miles	3 Hrs 34 Mns		2.25 mph
	520 ft AEG	36 Mns Break	20 LBS Pack

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

I was looking for a hike to get out of the heat. So I decided to hike parts the Segment 33 (Flagstaff) of the AZT.

I have no desire to hike the "in town" part of Segment 33, so my Trail Angel Extraordinaire, dropped me off on Babbitt Drive, and I started hiking south. She drove around to Canyon Vista Campground, and started hiking north to meet me.

The trail was nice, the day was... not too hot, and I was on the AZT! Doesn't get much better than that. I did see a lot of the result of the forest thinning project. Things like drag mark on the ground where the trees were piled up and tiny branches scattered across a large area.

About 1.75 miles in, where the trail makes an eastward turn (travelling south), off to the west I could see and hear some machinery mulching up branches from the thinning project. Kinda noisy, and not real pleasant for hiking. But, on the other hand, I suppose that's better than a forest fire!

Apparently, not much rain recently. In some spots, the dusty dirt was a couple inches thick on the trail.

Once I was out of the Flagstaff area, there was nobody on the trail. I pretty much had the trail to myself. I did pass a cyclist, who kindly stopped, got off the trail, and waited for me to pass.

At the southern end of the segment, where it joins Segment 31 (Walnut Canyon), I met up with my sweetheart. She'd hiked in about 2.8 miles to meet me. Out and back, she did about 5.6 miles! WOW!

Once on Segment 31, and then on to the Sandy Canyon trail to the Canyon Vista Campground, we met LOTS of people. All were friendly, while we shared trail conditions.

Another great day on the AZT!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Greater Short-Horned Lizard

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1 archive

Aug 31 2019

BiFrost

Guides 4
Routes 491
Photos 10,890
Triplogs 1,257

55 male

Joined Nov 20 2012
Phoenix, AZ

AZT South Rim GC to Gooseberry TH, AZ

Backpack		Aug 31 2019
		BiFrost • Triplogs 1,257

Backpack	157.27 Miles	18,635 AEG

Backpack	157.27 Miles	8 Days
	18,635 ft AEG

Linked

8 linked trail guides

Coconino Rim - AZT #36

Babbitt Ranch - AZT #35

Anderson Mesa - AZT #30

Mormon Lake - AZT #29

Partners

partners

slowandsteady

Started this trip with setting up the car shuttle. Friend of ours meet us at the Gooseberry Trailhead on Lake Mary Road on Saturday morning. From there we drove to Tusayan to begin the hike.

Day 1 – First day was really not part of the backpack and we did this as a day hike. From Tusayan we took the shuttle bus into the park Grand Canyon Visitor Center and then another bus to South Kaibab Trailhead. Then day hiked south bound on the AZT towards Tusayan. The trail has been rerouted since we hiked it 2015 to mostly paved track and none of us really liked the new track. I’m assuming it was done to take the trail closer to Mather Campground for easier camping options but the pavement makes it a tourist trail when it used to be a real dirt hiking trail through some nice ponderosa forest. Regardless we followed the new route into Tusayan and our camp for the night a hotel in Tusayan. Yep rough first night on the trail

Day 2 – We left the hotel before 6 and went across the street to get coffee

Said goodbye to our shuttle friend and hopped on the AZT where we left off the previous day. We hiked south bound towards Grandview Tower. About 4 miles from the tower where the trail jumps on dirt road a car passed by that looked like a rental. About 20 minutes later we were taking a break at Watson Tank and they came back. French tourists looking for highway 64 and the way to Monument Valley. I just told them to return to Tusayan and stay on pavement. Eventually made it to Grandview Tower and took a break. After that we had about 6 miles to camp but stopped to filter water at a wildlife tank just before camp. Nice camp spot on the Coconino Rim with good views!

Day 3 – Started the day still on the Coconino Rim section with good views to the east. The trail eventually leaves the rim and we headed for Russell Tank. Unfortunately, the lack of water on the next section Babbitt Ranch made it necessary to carry enough water to make the next reliable source at Tub Ranch Tank about 30 miles away and we also needed enough for camp that night. I filtered about 10 liters for next section from Russell Tank but of course that made our packs really heavy. We continued south to Moqui Station and started the Babbitt Ranch section. About 5 miles into Babbitt Ranch we jumped off the current route and looked for the new section that is under construction. We found the pink flagging tape that marks the route which we followed for about a mile before finding camp for the night in pinyon pine and juniper trees.

Day 4 – We continued to follow the ribbons the next morning for another 3 miles on the still to be completed trail. It was time consuming but fun to follow the ribbons and see how the trail was being routed. The ribbon route eventually links up to partially completed section about 5.6 miles in legnth. We hiked that section which is mostly finished except for final touches. That led to the next section which is completed trail about 4.5 miles in length but the trail will not be open until all new trail is completed. We followed this section until reaching the current track where I looked for the next section. I found the pink ribbons marking the route but we were running short on water and it was really hot so we followed the current AZT to Tub Ranch Tank about 4 miles away. At Tub Ranch Tank we used an AZT provided rope and bucket [ photo ] to scoop water from the tank enough for camp that night if needed. However, up the trail at the junction of Babbitt Ranch and the next section there was a water cache full with public water. Many thanks to the volunteers who stock these water cache boxes!! We continued down trail for another 2 miles before finding a place to camp for the night.

Day 5 – Next day it was nice to be heading back up into the ponderosa pines and towards the San Francisco Peaks. Of course, we had several miles to the mountain but it was a nice hike leading up to it. Just before Kelly Tank we passed a group day hiking north bound. The last person in the group was a woman who asked us if we were hiking the whole Arizona Trail. We said only 8 days from Grand Canyon to Gooseberry trailhead. Turns out she was Senator Martha McSally. Thankfully we did not talk about politics and rather had a great conversation about the AZT. She is currently section hiking the trail and we talked about the trail and favorite sections. Shortly after that conversation we reached another water cache box full of public water. Again thanks to the volunteers who stock these caches. We stocked up on more water and headed up into the peaks. Storm clouds started to rumble and eventually we had a few hours of rain and hail. Nothing crazy but we did get wet and the temps dropped. We made camp a few miles past Alfia Tank as the rain stopped for the day.

Day 6 – In the morning our objective was to follow the AZT Urban route into Flagstaff. Before the trip I knew that part of the trail was closed but hoped maybe they reopened it. We hiked south bound across the Snow Bowl road and then to the Urban route junction. Once on the Urban route we continued to Schultz Creek trail head to find that yes the route was closed. It was clearly blocked so we made the decision to bypass the last 7 miles into Flagstaff. Fortunately, we were able to use Lyft to make the Holiday Inn our stay for the night just off the AZT. Must say it was a sweet luxury after five days on the trail.

Day 7 – All rested up we left the hotel at 645 and being only 3 blocks from the Urban AZT we were on the trail quickly. We passed under the I-40 and back into the forest south of Flagstaff. Good trail out of town so it was fast progress. Really nice trail between Walnut Canyon and start of Anderson Mesa with some new trail since we hiked it in 2015. We passed Anderson Mesa trailhead and then continued to the rim overlooking Upper Lake Mary for lunch break. After lunch we had a long slog across Anderson Mesa with a stop at Horse Lake for our main water source of the day and camp that night. From Horse Lake we hiked across Lake Mary Road and to a cool area called the Railroad Grade. It’s an old railroad that was constructed for the timber industry in the 1920’s but is also a great area to camp.

Day 8 – Last day on the trail we just needed to make Gooseberry trailhead about 20 miles. We finished up the Railroad Grade and hiked the lower slopes of Mormon Mountain above Mormon Lake. Our water source for the day was Double Springs. Really good water source and we had a short rain shower roll through while filtering water. After that we continued the last 12 miles with mostly good single track and fortunate to see a large 20 plus heard of elk cruising through the forest. We finished up before 5pm and happy to be done with a long portion of the AZT!

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cadastral Survey Marker

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Horse Lake Russell Tank

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
a few wild flowers on the San Francisco Peaks #34 section. Lupine, Indian Paint Brush, Globe Mallow and others

	Alfa Fia Tank	26-50% full	26-50% full
	water looked decent but I didn't need to filter

	Anderson Tank	Dry	Dry
	completely dry

	Double Springs	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	great source of water. Clear, cold and plenty of water in the creek and spring

	Horse Lake	51-75% full	51-75% full
	plenty of clear water but there was some cow activity. Still we filtered 4 liters

	Kelly Tank	Dry	Dry
	completely dry

	Lost Tank	1-25% full	1-25% full
	tank looked decent from a distance and definitely had water but we didn't need any

	Marshall Mesa Tank	Dry	Dry
	completely dry

	Mayflower Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	small puddle and would only filter if desperate

	Navajo Spring	Dripping	Dripping
	pipe was dripping water but it was good quality

	Prime Lake	26-50% full	26-50% full
	water was good but difficult to reach unless you don't mind wading through the marshy edge

	Russell Tank	51-75% full	51-75% full
	lots of water

	Russell Water Storage Tank	1-25% full	1-25% full
	there was about 3 inches of water in the metal tank with the lid. But would only use if really needed it

	Skunk Canyon	Dry	Dry
	no water in the canyon

	Upper Ten X Tank	Dry	Dry
	completely dry

	Van Deren Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	water was actually a small pond. It looked like decent quality but didn't need any

	Watson Tank	Dry	Dry
	completely dry

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2 archives

Apr 19 2019

alexofaz

Routes 12
Photos 11
Triplogs 46

male

Joined Jul 10 2011
Peoria, Az

Flagstaff, AZ

Backpack		Apr 19 2019
		alexofaz • Triplogs 46

Backpack	14.80 Miles	1,916 AEG

Backpack	14.80 Miles	6 Hrs		2.47 mph
	1,916 ft AEG		30 LBS Pack

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

partners

corwinwilkins

We started on passage 33 south of the logging detour, hiked out to Marshall lake trailhead then back up passage 31 as we began a 2 & 1/2 day Flagstaff Loop on the Arizona Trail. Day 2 we pressed onto Mary's Cafe on 89, try the Navajo Taco, where we stopped for dinner, then backtracked to a nice camp spot for the evening. The next morning we again stopped at Mary's Cafe, for breakfast this time, and closed the final miles of our loop. Even though day 3 was half the miles of the first two days the combination of a determined headwind and logging reroute leading us along the path of a gas pipeline made it the most challenging/unfun of the trip.

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2 archives

Oct 15 2018

corwinwilkins

Routes 9
Triplogs 47

55 male

Joined Jul 30 2010
Phoenix, AZ

Flagstaff, AZ

Backpack		Oct 15 2018
		corwinwilkins • Triplogs 47

Backpack	14.75 Miles	1,927 AEG

Backpack	14.75 Miles	5 Hrs		3.69 mph
	1,927 ft AEG		25 LBS Pack

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Was supposed to be part of a 54 mile AZT 31-33 loop but rain and near freezing temps made us bail after completing 33 and the southern tip of 31 to Marshall Lake TH. Kinda neat trail and the reroute through Flagstaff is fun. Especially snagging a hot coffee in those low temps. It's also jarring to go from the quiet of the wilderness to the bustle of Flagstaff and the traffic of cars and trains.

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May 05 2018

ultrazona

Routes 8
Photos 2,243
Triplogs 204

38 male

Joined Mar 07 2009
Colorado Springs

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		May 05 2018
		ultrazona • Triplogs 204

Hiking	14.75 Miles	1,927 AEG

Hiking	14.75 Miles
	1,927 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

Linked

none

no linked trail guides

Partners

none

no partners

Day Ride

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Nov 24 2017

MountainMatt

Guides 3
Routes 202
Photos 3,513
Triplogs 530

male

Joined Jan 24 2016
Arizona

Little Elden-Elysian Buttress, AZ

Hiking		Nov 24 2017
		MountainMatt • Triplogs 530

Hiking	3.34 Miles	873 AEG

Hiking	3.34 Miles	2 Hrs 7 Mns		2.23 mph
	873 ft AEG	37 Mns Break	25 LBS Pack

Linked

linked

Marshall Lake to Fisher Point

Partners

none

no partners

I've stared at the North Eastern side of Elden my entire life and the sheer cliffs visible from many miles away have always sparked my curiosity.
72° on Black Friday in Flagstaff was definitely not what I expected, tank tops and shorts were the attire as nothing but sun beamed on my dog and I the entire morning.

There is a nice climbers spur trail that basically leads straight to the face of Elysian but the only downside is the area is practically a barren wasteland and I could not find any shade to save my life.
If I didn't have my furry piglet of a dog with me it would have been no problem but boxers don't do well in direct sunlight while gaining hundreds of feet so I stopped just short of the buttress.

Once back on the AZ trail is where the healthy forest appears again and the day was much more relaxing.

Fun little walk to burn of the turkey.

Autumn Foliage Observation None
Oaks would have been nice for this area but it's way past prime.

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1 archive

Sep 28 2017

kingsnake

Guides 117
Routes 337
Photos 11,399
Triplogs 894

63 male

Joined Dec 20 2010
Sunnyslope, PHX

Marshall Lake to Fisher Point

Flagstaff, AZ

Hiking		Sep 28 2017
		kingsnake • Triplogs 894

Hiking	14.58 Miles	1,220 AEG

Hiking	14.58 Miles	5 Hrs 4 Mns	2.88 mph
	1,220 ft AEG

Linked

linked