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Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail - 3 members in 15 triplogs have rated this an average 2 ( 1 to 5 best )
15 triplogs
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Jan 07 2022
avatar

 Routes 297
 Photos 6,928
 Triplogs 552

49 male
 Joined Dec 30 2007
 Avondale,Az
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 07 2022
Stoic • Triplogs 552
Hiking0.50 Miles 33 AEG
Hiking0.50 Miles      15 Mns   2.00 mph
33 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
A quick hike to stretch the legs.
_____________________
 
Jun 05 2021
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 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 05 2021
John10s • Triplogs 346
Hiking0.31 Miles 32 AEG
Hiking0.31 Miles      16 Mns   1.24 mph
32 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
TboneKathy
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
After a loop hike at Elden Mountain, we made a quick stop at the ruins site along Highway 89 on the way out of town. Calling this a hike is generous--it's a very short walk along an interpretive loop trail, but it's an interesting historical site and makes a nice add-on stop if you're in the area. It's a different experience visiting a ruins site in such an urban setting--road noise and gas station views aren't usually the first things that come to mind when I picture ancient sites, but it certainly gets high marks for ease of access.

Elden Pueblo was occupied between ~1070 to 1275 AD and is now an active archeological site that's open to the public. This was the first set of Sinaguan ruins I've visited that are pueblo-style rather than cliff dwellings. A lot of restoration/preservation work has been done at the site--there's even concrete on the tops of some walls and on the "bench" area in the large community room in the main pueblo. We took a quick lap around the loop and checked out the various points of interest, reading some details from a brochure. One of the benefits of a touristy site like this is the detail readily available about the history of the site and the significance of different rooms/areas...the trade off for road noise and gas stations, I suppose :).
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sinagua Dwelling
 
Jul 10 2020
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 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 10 2020
Charger55 • Triplogs 573
Hiking0.35 Miles 23 AEG
Hiking0.35 Miles   1 Hour      0.35 mph
23 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
 
Jul 14 2018
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 14 2018
mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387
Hiking0.33 Miles 64 AEG
Hiking0.33 Miles      20 Mns   0.99 mph
64 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Second of two hikes with family. This was literally just up the road (to the west) of the Sandy Seep TH. More of an info "hike" than a hike. There is a pamphlet provided at the beginning of the trail that corresponds with numbered signs that dot the route. The ruins are substantial, but have been "maintained" in an odd way both enhancing and detracting from the site. This is a nice little stop if you are interested in archeological sites, but a pass if you are looking for a hike. Even if you are looking for a nice, easy family hike, there are better options out there.
_____________________
  2 archives
Jan 19 2017
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 Routes 297
 Photos 6,928
 Triplogs 552

49 male
 Joined Dec 30 2007
 Avondale,Az
Crystal Point TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Crystal Point Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 19 2017
Stoic • Triplogs 552
Hiking7.20 Miles 1,065 AEG
Hiking7.20 Miles   8 Hrs      1.80 mph
1,065 ft AEG   4 Hrs    Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Old Caves Crater Trail
Partners none no partners
Took the pups up to Flagstaff last Thursday. We did a couple hikes around town.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Crystal Point 7190  Grand Falls
_____________________
 
Mar 26 2012
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 Guides 177
 Routes 249
 Photos 10,213
 Triplogs 2,215

74 male
 Joined Feb 12 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 26 2012
AZLOT69 • Triplogs 2,215
Hiking0.46 Miles 64 AEG
Hiking0.46 Miles   1 Hour      0.46 mph
64 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Interesting site.
_____________________
It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain
 
Sep 04 2011
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 Guides 4
 Photos 2,750
 Triplogs 402

60 male
 Joined Nov 13 2005
 Cave Creek, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 04 2011
cabel • Triplogs 402
Hiking0.46 Miles 64 AEG
Hiking0.46 Miles      20 Mns   1.38 mph
64 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Buffalo Gourd
_____________________
All who wander are not lost...just me.
 
Mar 17 2009
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 Guides 9
 Routes 10
 Photos 4,110
 Triplogs 38

63 male
 Joined Apr 15 2004
 Joseph City, Ari
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 17 2009
TM1ssKDMac • Triplogs 38
Hiking0.46 Miles 64 AEG
Hiking0.46 Miles   1 Hour      0.46 mph
64 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail

I was in Flagstaff for a medical apt. recently and decided to ride my bike back home via Leupp Road for a change of pace. As I rode past Elden Ruins I decided to stop and check out the progress of the dig and restoration project there. I had the place to myself and was surprised at how many new rooms had been excavated since my late visit about 10 years prior. There are still a large number of rooms awaiting excavation but the ruin is looking very impressive.

I had been reading recently about some of the early tribes in the southwest and was amazed to learn that Elden Pueblo consisted of around 70 rooms. I had no idea that it was that large. It was constructed after the Sunset Crater eruption and was a center of trade for the more advanced, post eruption Sinagua.

This short loop hike provides a great view of this ruin that is slowly being reconstructed. The trail has been improved and now has gravel on it. I sat and quietly watched a small bird searching for insects on the bark of the trees nearby. Continuing around the trail I was very excited to find a worn grinding stone with several deep grooves in it near the end of the trail. This short hike was a pleasant diversion and I was glad I decided to stop!
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  White-Breasted Nuthatch
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
_____________________
Kelly D. McLaughlin
  1 archive
Jan 02 2008
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 Guides 71
 Routes 98
 Photos 9,967
 Triplogs 1,009

65 male
 Joined May 14 2003
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 02 2008
Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009
Hiking0.46 Miles 64 AEG
Hiking0.46 Miles      20 Mns   1.38 mph
64 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Before returning Hannah back to NAU after Xmas break, we checked out the "twin" pueblos of Elden and Turkey Hills. Also ended up hiking up Turkey Hill Crater. "Discovered" Turkey Hill Pueblo while researching Beale Wagon Road...
_____________________
 
Jan 02 2008
avatar

 Guides 71
 Routes 98
 Photos 9,967
 Triplogs 1,009

65 male
 Joined May 14 2003
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Turkey Hills and PuebloFlagstaff, AZ
Turkey Hills and Pueblo
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 02 2008
Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009
Hiking7.01 Miles 876 AEG
Hiking7.01 Miles   3 Hrs      2.34 mph
876 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Partners none no partners
Explored this with Hannah. Although the hike itself can be classified as "unremarkable", there's a certain amount of "reward" tracing through some forgotten history. Past inhabitation is easily confirmed by the abundance of pottery sherds. Scanning the ground for different types of pottery sherds became a game. All sherds were returned to their original location as first found.

View from the top of Turkey Hill Crater could be leveraged to savour a sunset or full moon. Saw plenty of animal tracks and scat in the snow...
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Dogoszhi Black-on-White  Historical Photograph  Sinagua Dwelling  Sosi Black-on-White  Tusayan Polychrome
_____________________
 
Jul 28 2007
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 Guides 171
 Routes 253
 Photos 6,100
 Triplogs 1,135

44 male
 Joined Apr 03 2006
 Pocatello, ID
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 28 2007
PaleoRob • Triplogs 1,135
Hiking0.46 Miles 64 AEG
Hiking0.46 Miles
64 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Public Dig Day. Very much fun! Found bucketfuls of plainware sherds, and several Black-on-White sherds. Also found a deer metacarpal. Really interesting stuff, I recommend it to anyone interested in the ancient past of our region, and how we find out what we know about it.
_____________________
"The only thing we did was wrong was staying in the wilderness to long...the only thing we did was right was the day we started to fight..."
-Old Spiritual
My book, The Marauders on Lulu and Amazon
 
Aug 08 2006
avatar

 Guides 171
 Routes 253
 Photos 6,100
 Triplogs 1,135

44 male
 Joined Apr 03 2006
 Pocatello, ID
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 08 2006
PaleoRob • Triplogs 1,135
Hiking0.46 Miles 64 AEG
Hiking0.46 Miles      20 Mns   1.38 mph
64 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
"The only thing we did was wrong was staying in the wilderness to long...the only thing we did was right was the day we started to fight..."
-Old Spiritual
My book, The Marauders on Lulu and Amazon
 
Oct 23 2005
avatar

 Guides 31
 Routes 135
 Photos 2,699
 Triplogs 615

52 female
 Joined Apr 02 2007
 Scottsdale, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 23 2005
Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615
Hiking0.46 Miles 64 AEG
Hiking0.46 Miles
64 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
GI Jones
_____________________
 
Sep 25 2005
avatar

 Guides 71
 Routes 98
 Photos 9,967
 Triplogs 1,009

65 male
 Joined May 14 2003
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 25 2005
Randal_Schulhauser • Triplogs 1,009
Hiking0.46 Miles 64 AEG
Hiking0.46 Miles      30 Mns   0.92 mph
64 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
With Lynn, Sarah, and Tobyn. A stop off after visiting Hannah at NAU. Picked up lunch at the local Wendy's and went for a stroll exploring the ruins. Had passed the sign indicating "Elden Pueblo Ruins" many times and it piqued my curiosity. A pleasant little stop we had all to ourselves...

http://www.archaeology.org/interactive/arizona/index.html
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sinagua Ceremonial Structure  Sinagua Dwelling  Sinagua Storage Structure  Sinagua Structure - Unknown Function
_____________________
 
Oct 02 2004
avatar

 Guides 171
 Routes 253
 Photos 6,100
 Triplogs 1,135

44 male
 Joined Apr 03 2006
 Pocatello, ID
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop TrailFlagstaff, AZ
Elden Pueblo Ruins Loop Trail
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 02 2004
PaleoRob • Triplogs 1,135
Hiking0.46 Miles 64 AEG
Hiking0.46 Miles      30 Mns   0.92 mph
64 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Neat ruins, although somewhat sterilized. The USFS does public dig days at the Pueblo, which I think is neat.
Did you know:
During excavations done by W.J. Fewkes, three graveyards were discovered. Two of those are now under the mobile home park that abuts the pueblo.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Sinagua Ceremonial Structure  Sinagua Projectile Point  Sinagua Structure - Unknown Function
_____________________
"The only thing we did was wrong was staying in the wilderness to long...the only thing we did was right was the day we started to fight..."
-Old Spiritual
My book, The Marauders on Lulu and Amazon
 
average hiking speed 1.43 mph

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