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Lenox Crater - 13 members in 42 triplogs have rated this an average 2.8 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3  Next
42 triplogs
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Aug 04 2025
avatar

 Guides 104
 Routes 256
 Photos 16,118
 Triplogs 528

53 male
 Joined Dec 30 2005
 Tucson, AZ
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 04 2025
Mike_W • Triplogs 528
Hiking1.36 Miles 294 AEG
Hiking1.36 Miles      54 Mns   2.47 mph
294 ft AEG      21 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
It was my first time going to Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. There's normally a $25 fee to enter, but I happened to arrive on August 4th. I wasn't aware of this ahead of time, but it just so happened to be a 'fee free' day. There are a few of these every year.

I parked at the A'a trailhead and decided to do the easy hike to the top of Lenox crater. The crater itself was not what I expected. There were trees and plant life growing in the crater. It must have been a very old crater. Eventually, trees grow there, but with all of the black fine sandy gravel, you can tell it was previously a volcanic area. The trail is very well-maintained. I also walked the A'a trail, the Lava Flow trail, and the Bonito Vista trail nearby. There were not many hikers there since it was quite a hot day, even for Flagstaff. But, the heat was nothing compared to Tucson or PHX.

Stats
------
1.36 miles round trip
294 AEG
moving time 33 min
elapsed time 54 min

Driving directions
-------------------
From anywhere in Flagstaff take Historic Rte 66 / Business route 40 EAST
Continue onto N 89 for 12.1 mi
Turn right onto Fire Rd 545/Loop Rd
Continue to follow Loop Rd for 3.3 mi
Turn left at parking area for A’a Trailhead
Cross the street to hike Lenox crater
_____________________
Michael Williams
IT Professional
Rocky Point Vacation Rentals
Ocean Front Condo in Rocky Point, Sonora, Mexico
www.beachfrontmexico.us
Image
 
Sep 30 2024
avatar

 Triplogs 71

male
 Joined Jan 23 2025
 Seattle, WA
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 30 2024
dhelder • Triplogs 71
Hiking1.00 Miles 312 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
312 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
 
Aug 13 2021
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 13 2021
Charger55 • Triplogs 573
Hiking1.00 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
300 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"
 
Aug 30 2020
avatar

 Guides 17
 Routes 297
 Photos 1,808
 Triplogs 276

female
 Joined Mar 11 2002
 Gilbert, AZ
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 30 2020
Vashti • Triplogs 276
Hiking1.19 Miles 329 AEG
Hiking1.19 Miles      43 Mns   1.88 mph
329 ft AEG      5 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
Quick hike before driving home. Lenox crater and the surrounding views are beautiful! ❤️
_____________________
:D
 
Aug 22 2020
avatar

 Photos 5
 Triplogs 1,041

36 female
 Joined Oct 04 2012
 Phoenix, AZ
Lava Flow Trail (Bonito)Flagstaff, AZ
Lava Flow Trail (Bonito)
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 22 2020
WaitingForRain • Triplogs 1,041
Hiking3.06 Miles 50 AEG
Hiking3.06 Miles   1 Hour   32 Mns   2.00 mph
50 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Lenox Crater
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
May 28 2020
avatar

 Guides 27
 Routes 518
 Photos 5,861
 Triplogs 883

72 female
 Joined Jan 21 2006
 Eagar AZ
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar May 28 2020
azbackpackr • Triplogs 883
Hiking1.29 Miles 454 AEG
Hiking1.29 Miles      52 Mns   2.15 mph
454 ft AEG      16 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This one is short and sweet. Great views, nice weather. The Apache Plume was blooming, and some plants were forming the plumes. There was no one else on this trail, although there were families hiking the various lava trails. I forgot to bring the Nikon, which would have been nice for some of the scenery and flowers. Cell phone just doesn't do it justice.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Apache Plume
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  San Francisco Mountains - Kachina Peaks Wilderness
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Apache Plume
_____________________
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
Nov 08 2019
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 25
 Photos 1,890
 Triplogs 604

41 male
 Joined Sep 13 2009
 Mesa, AZ
Lava Flow Trail (Bonito)Flagstaff, AZ
Lava Flow Trail (Bonito)
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 08 2019
jochal • Triplogs 604
Hiking2.50 Miles 350 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles
350 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Lenox Crater
Partners none no partners
Hiked this and Lenox Crater. A volunteer was posted halfway around the Lava Flow Loop to answer questions. Nice clear day, so San Francisco Peaks made a nice background.
_____________________
 
Oct 13 2019
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 14
 Photos 7,202
 Triplogs 5,208

68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Sunset Crater, AZ 
Sunset Crater, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 13 2019
johnlp • Triplogs 5,208
Hiking2.92 Miles 412 AEG
Hiking2.92 Miles   1 Hour   7 Mns   2.74 mph
412 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Lava Flow Trail (Bonito)
Lenox Crater
Partners partners
trekkin_gecko
Since we were in the area, we decided to check out Sunset Crater National Monument. Picked up my lifetime pass for $80. We hit a few trails all short. Cool place. Reminds me of central Oregon with all the volcanic activity. :)
_____________________
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
 
Oct 13 2019
avatar

 Guides 10
 Routes 673
 Photos 7,281
 Triplogs 4,660

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Sunset Crater, AZ 
Sunset Crater, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 13 2019
trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,660
Hiking2.92 Miles 412 AEG
Hiking2.92 Miles   1 Hour   7 Mns   2.74 mph
412 ft AEG      3 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Lava Flow Trail (Bonito)
Lenox Crater
Partners partners
johnlp
after hiking the abineau bear jaw loop, john and i drove over to sunset crater
john scored his $80 national park pass for seniors
we wanted to hit double digits for the day, so we did a combo hike of the lava flow and lenox crater trails
interesting terrain and geology, new to both of us
nice views from the rim of lenox crater
worth a visit
lunch at beaver street brewery (does anyone know of a good thai restaurant in flag?)
experienced a massive slow down on I-17, adding an hour and a half to our return ](*,)
beautiful fall day in flagstaff and on the peaks
nice to get up there again - thanks, lp :)
_____________________
hazhole
 
Oct 13 2018
avatar

 Routes 12
 Photos 51
 Triplogs 13

37 female
 Joined Jul 11 2018
 Phoenix, AZ
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 13 2018
MandaBearPig • Triplogs 13
Hiking2.55 Miles 387 AEG
Hiking2.55 Miles   1 Hour   18 Mns   1.96 mph
387 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Just a jaunt around Sunset Crater NP. Nice views of Humphrey's Peak from summit of Lenox Crater.
 
Sep 09 2017
avatar

 Photos 1,345
 Triplogs 298

67 male
 Joined Jan 15 2010
 Avondale
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 09 2017
leonesiegel • Triplogs 298
Hiking1.00 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles      45 Mns   1.33 mph
300 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Nice little hike, had hoped to do Strawberry Crater again but need a high clearance vehicle.
_____________________
 
Jun 11 2017
avatar

 Routes 173
 Photos 1,613
 Triplogs 285

50 male
 Joined Nov 11 2014
 Manchester, NH
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 11 2017
JasonCleghorn • Triplogs 285
Hiking1.16 Miles 348 AEG
Hiking1.16 Miles      40 Mns   1.99 mph
348 ft AEG      5 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
My first trip to Sunset Crater/Lenox. Squeezed it in while my daughter was in dive meet warmups! The slope wouldn't be nearly as difficult if it wasn't like going through very small snow drifts.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Informational/Interpretive Sign
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bonito Park  O'Leary Peak  San Francisco Mountains - Kachina Peaks Wilderness  Sunset Crater
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate
_____________________
Follow me on Instagram: hikingjason
"It's not the mountains that we conquer, but ourselves"
  3 archives
Apr 26 2017
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 840
 Photos 22,055
 Triplogs 1,993

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 26 2017
chumley • Triplogs 1,993
Hiking1.37 Miles 290 AEG
Hiking1.37 Miles      32 Mns   2.57 mph
290 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Did the quick loop of A'a Trail across the street first, then the full loop of Lenox. The signage on site says 1.6 miles and approximate time 1.5 hours. I couldn't invent places to hike to get to 1.6 miles and I'd have to take a nap to make it take 1.5 hours! I also found the footing to be much better than expected. I don't know if the NPS has compacted the cinders or just use over time has improved them, but at no point did I slip/slide, or "two steps forward, one step back". It was as easy as you would expect any national park tourist trail to be. Good views too.
 Geology
 Geology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  A'a Lava
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Lenox Crater  O'Leary Peak
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
 
Dec 30 2016
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 632
 Photos 8,235
 Triplogs 604

54 male
 Joined Apr 13 2011
 Gilbert, AZ
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 30 2016
ddgrunning • Triplogs 604
Hiking1.80 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking1.80 Miles      57 Mns   1.89 mph
300 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Lava Flow Trail (Bonito)
Partners none no partners
Pitstop #3 on Southern Utah Trip. Trail was snow-covered on the northern slope, but still no problem hiking in tennis shoes. Nice views of the Peaks from the "lookout" point, but otherwise, not much visibility on Sunset Crater to the east, except through the trees here and there.

I'm guessing this would be more popular if there were an opportunity to climb Sunset Crater itself. I understand the erosion concern, though ....
_____________________
  2 archives
Aug 07 2016
avatar

 Guides 25
 Routes 36
 Photos 2,890
 Triplogs 658

39 male
 Joined May 30 2008
 Peoria, AZ
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 07 2016
hippiepunkpirate • Triplogs 658
Hiking1.30 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking1.30 Miles
300 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
For those that have followed my journeys in the past, you may or may not recall that I interned at Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument back in 2011. I wrote a 5-year Sustainable Hiking Trails Management Plan, and helped design sustainable realignments/improvements of existing trails, as well new designs to expand the park's trail system. At the time, I thought it was unlikely that any of the plan's recommendations would be taken seriously. When my wife I and visited the park on a whim for a short afternoon hike, I was tickled to discover that the Lenox Crater Trail had been realigned into our recommended specifications, making for a better hiking experience, as well as better protecting the fragile volcanic environment. Also based on our plan's recommendations, we found that what used to be a short and rough but popular social trail has been improved to an actual trail (A'a Trail) and new trails were carved north of Lenox Crater: a connector to the Lava Flow Trailhead, and a short trail to a viewshed nearby (Bonito Vista Trail). We did not have time hike any of the other trails, but we were able to hike the new alignment of Lenox Crater Trail. It really turned out better than I imagined at time, in terms of enjoyment, and also the reduction of impact on the landscape. I'm so proud that work I did at this park has actually become something!
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Alligator Juniper
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Lenox Crater  O'Leary Peak  San Francisco Peaks Natural Area  Sunset Crater
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Moon  Sunset
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
My blog: Mountain Tripper
My book: Arizona: A Photographic Journey
  1 archive
Jul 06 2016
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 148
 Photos 9,924
 Triplogs 3,652

63 male
 Joined Apr 02 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 06 2016
Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652
Hiking1.00 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles      24 Mns   2.50 mph
300 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I was in the area but my plans changed. I was able to grab this one on the way out. It's in the 100 hikes book :) . There was a burger place in my Boots and Burgers book that I didn't have time for on another day. Frankie said to try it so I swung by there on the way out of town today. Good quick burger. :D
_____________________
Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.
 
Dec 12 2015
avatar

 Routes 39
 Photos 353
 Triplogs 128

37 male
 Joined Sep 30 2015
 Carrboro, NC
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 12 2015
afrankie • Triplogs 128
Hiking1.56 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking1.56 Miles      51 Mns   2.28 mph
300 ft AEG      10 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
~6" of white stuff up north, so had to get an adventure in. After entering the monument area, the scenery opened into a winter wonderland of ponderosas - totally awesome. We were the only ones exuberant (crazy) enough to hike today, so the trail was all ours. I hadn't decided on a hike when I arrived, so I hadn't uploaded the trail map into route scout, and service was long gone when I arrived. Good thing the trail was covered in snow ;). Actually, I was on the trail past the rim until about .25 remained and I just walked down the trail after I couldn't any longer discern a grade difference of the trail and the tree patterns didn't follow a trail.

It was brisk and windy, but the sun peaked on our way down. Fantastic but cloudy views of the San Franciscans and Sunset Crater. Surreal with the fresh powder that just finished falling.
_____________________
Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.
Evan Hardin

Footloose adventures are documented instagram @afrankie8.
  2 archives
Aug 29 2015
avatar

 Guides 9
 Routes 33
 Photos 780
 Triplogs 4,634

44 male
 Joined Nov 25 2008
 Scottsdale, AZ
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 29 2015
Booneman • Triplogs 4,634
Hiking1.00 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles      30 Mns   2.00 mph
300 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I wanted to get a good picture of O'Leary and Sunset Crater, but there are too many trees on this one. Looks like they're building an extension of this trail.
_____________________
 
Mar 05 2015
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 79
 Photos 2,440
 Triplogs 652

34 male
 Joined Jan 10 2010
 Pomona, CA
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Snowshoeing avatar Mar 05 2015
PatrickL • Triplogs 652
Snowshoeing1.60 Miles 460 AEG
Snowshoeing1.60 Miles
460 ft AEG5 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Up to the highpoint followed by a loop around the crater for a little acclimation. Probably could have done this without snowshoes, but where's the fun in that? Some areas looked like you'd posthole, while others, specifically under some trees, didn't have any snow at all.

I wish they would issue hiking permits for Sunset Crater when there's snow on it. Seems like that would prevent the erosional scars that you see on the south/southwest sides of the mountain. The snow-covered sides looked like a lot of fun.
_____________________
 
Oct 15 2014
avatar

 Guides 31
 Routes 135
 Photos 2,699
 Triplogs 615

52 female
 Joined Apr 02 2007
 Scottsdale, AZ
Lenox CraterFlagstaff, AZ
Lenox Crater
Flagstaff, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 15 2014
Crzy4AZ • Triplogs 615
Hiking1.00 Miles 300 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
300 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Baby4AZ
GI Jones
LilGuy4AZ
George hiked to the top all on his own - but rode down in the Kelty.
Had picnic lunch at the top. Very scenic.
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.18 mph
1, 2, 3  Next

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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