Walnut Canyon NM / Rim and Island Trails

Trail info: Each trail is below 1 mile - the Rim trail essentially has no elevation change - the Island Trail goes down around 240 steps/185 ft into the canyon
Location: About 10 miles outside of Flagstaff off I-40 exit 204

Walnut Canyon combines beautiful canyon scenery and a look at life of the Sinagua people who once resided there some 800 years ago. The canyon with its many overhangs and shallow caves provided ideal places for their homes to be built and remain fairly sheltered from the elements. Up and down the canyon remains of their dwellings are everywhere you look. The rim hike provides overlooks of many of the dwellings as well as the remains of a pueblo and pithouse built at the top. This is an easy, mostly paved hike that anyone can do. The Island Trail has many stairs that descend to a rock island in the canyon which has many dwellings that you can get a closer look at. Information on the canyon, its’ plant life, and the history of the inhabitants is provided. This is an impressive place and features more Indian dwellings than I’ve seen anywhere else in my travels.
While the size of the dwellings aren’t much compared to nearby Wupatki, the number of them in a relatively small area is amazing (probably where the idea for apartment complexes originated). It is definitely worth the trip down the Island Trail to see inside the dwellings as well as to better view the surrounding canyon walls with their many home sites. This definitely would’ve been an awesome place to live (except when it snowed and Sunset Crater erupted.) Oh well, no place is perfect.

• If you are looking to travel to Flagstaff, AZ or anywhere else, be sure to click over to my travel site.

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Fatman’s Loop Trail / Mt. Elden / San Francisco Peaks

Trail info: 2 miles, elevation (low-high) 6900-7500
Location: HWY 89 just north of Flagstaff Mall

Really gigantic ancient juniper trees and some excellent views, including some of Sunset Crater (pictured at right), are the features of this enjoyable short hike. It climbs gradually, but nothing major and all the trails in this area are well marked and easy to follow which is always a plus. This trail can also be used as a lead in to hike all the way to the summit of Mt. Elden, but my brother and I had other plans and weren’t really interested in hiking to the top on this one. It was an enjoyable trip but there was little fall foliage on this side due to the type of trees, unlike our previous days hike in Lockett Meadow which is an autumn leaf paradise with all the aspens around. Overall, a hike that is probably nice anytime of year. It's a popular hike due to its proximity to the city and nice to use when you just want to get out for a pleasant stroll.

• If you are looking to travel to Flagstaff, AZ or anywhere else, be sure to click over to my travel site.

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Coconino National Forest - Lockett Meadow/Inner Basin Trail/San Francisco Peaks

Trail info: appx. 3.6 miles roundtrip (Meadow to Inner Basin and back)
Location: Take AZ 89 east out of Flagstaff - Turn left at Forest Road 522 which is opposite the entrance to Sunset Crater NM

Early October is definitely the time of year to visit Lockett Meadow as it’s alive with the beauty of golden aspen leaves shimmering in the sunlight. Getting there is a bit interesting as you will need to drive several miles on forest road 522, a narrow, winding, low maintenance road with sharp drops. There is a camping area there, and of course, the highly scenic Inner Basin trail, the passage to the heart of the San Francisco Peaks. The meadow area and much of the trail features stands of aspen contrasted by the dark green pines with mountain peaks towering in the background. We ascended towards the basin on this fine day under a few clouds, but mostly sunny skies, the scent of pine filling our noses. Even with it being a weekday a good number of other hikers were out making this popular fall trek. This walk is a bit rocky so good hiking boots are a plus for the journey. It is generally a gradual climb with nothing to steep to handle and the trail is wide and well defined unlike many of my excursions as of late. As spectacular as the hike up was, on reaching the inner basin we realized that the leaves there were a bit past prime. It was an enjoyable trip nonetheless, just not at the level of color we’d hoped for. This is such an amazing place to be where mountain peaks surround you and on a good day the basin provides a view all the way to the painted desert. A touch of snow, barely visible, capped Mt. Humphrey and from the forecast it seemed likely that more was on the way. The fall air was a bit brisk and occasional gusts of wind brought golden leaves raining upon us, while the mountains were constantly creating various cloud formations overhead. We spent some time enjoying the views, watching clouds, and snapping pictures before returning to the meadow. Wonderful day and at a perfect place for an autumn outing.

If you are looking to travel to Flagstaff, AZ or anywhere else, be sure to click over to my travel site.

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Coronado National Forest- Mt. Lemmon - Aspen Trails

Circuit: Aspen Trail / Aspen Draw / Mint Spring / Marshall Gulch Loop

Trail info.: Mileage (total loop) 8.3 miles + distance along road (?) / Elevation (low-high) appx. 7400-8600 ft

Location: starts at Marshall Gulch Picnic Area

With autumn underway I decided to check out the Aspen Trail and enjoy some fall color. The leaves were pretty close to peak color on much of Mt. Lemmon and it was a great cool day for a long loop that would lead me through much of the aspen stands on the mountain. I began at the Marshall Gulch picnic area and hiked up the Aspen Trail from there. It didn’t take long before I was immersed in the largest area of Aspen you’ll encounter on the whole trail. The leaves were dropping quickly likely because of dry conditions so I was happy I picked this for my outing. I slowly walked admiring the trees and trying to capture some of their beauty on film (err... memory card). The trail climbs gradually from the gulch and through the forest and until you pass the big trail junction where several trails converge it is not too difficult. Eventually the trail climbs fairly steeply with many switchbacks as it works its way up to radio ridge (where the radio towers are and the ski lift ends). This ascent provides some outstanding views along the way which give a good excuse to stop and catch your breath and avoid heart failure. Dropping down the Aspen Draw trail I once again wandered through some Aspen trees as I descended into the valley and the town of Summerhaven. I strolled through quite a bit of the town as I worked my way back to the Mint Spring trail to continue my loop. I was quite excited to see more aspen as I started up the Mint Spring trail. Here new aspen are growing in an area where the old growth pine forest burned away several years ago. There were also some nice views at this point in the trail. Once you curve around the slope the trail becomes nothing much other than a hike through burnt trunks of trees until it gets close to the trail junction. I then finished my trip with one of my favorite sections of trail on the mountain, Marshall Gulch. Sadly, there wasn’t much water in the stream due to the dry weather but enough to enjoy the sound of trickling water here and there. Today my hiking pace was just about perfect as I made it back to my vehicle just as it was getting dark with the glorious moon light guiding me back the last 1/8 of a mile or so.

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Coronado National Forest - Mt. Lemmon - Oracle Ridge + Red Ridge Trails

Trail info.: Length: (done as a loop - Oracle Ridge to Catalina Camp to Red Ridge) 7.3 miles (+ hike back to vehicle at trail head) appx. 2 miles = about 9.3 miles round trip, Elevation: (low-high) 5680-8160
Location: Red Ridge trail head is off the ski road, Oracle Ridge trail head is a short distance down the control road from the fire station

It was another beautiful day for hiking with mostly sunny skies and a gentle, cool breeze making for a pleasant temperature. At first Oracle Ridge trail passes through many burnt up trees and I figured on another trail through nothing but charred remains from the fires. However, I was delighted at the abundant wildflowers and areas that the fires missed leaving plenty of smaller plants thriving. On the positive side, even where the trees had burned, there were many unobstructed views where I could see for miles in all directions. I would say incredible views would be the prime feature of this high elevation trail.
The trail was at times rocky and part of the way it followed what once was a rough road undoubtedly created to access Catalina Camp in the valley below. The miles ticked off quickly on this mostly level to downhill ridge top trail. It wasn't long before I made it to a trail junction with the Catalina Camp trail and began heading off down the hill. It was a bit steep and rocky in places, making me wonder how even in good condition you could get a vehicle down this road. The trail wandered on down the mountain to the camp. I was curious as to what this camp would be like as it is marked on my map but nowhere could I find any information about it. It turns out to only be a closed off 1 room shack with a storage shed nearby. More like the remains of a camp.
Historical, yes, but nothing to offer the weary hiker in search of rest. It was apparent as I hiked around that this is a popular overnight destination; although, I never ran into another soul on my hike today. There were remains of campsites along a small stream which I'm guessing flows year round as it had quite a flow to it considering it's September. I hung out and enjoyed a snack here while listening to the soothing sounds of the stream. As I hiked on I became worried as I temporarily lost the trail and it was at times difficult to distinguish the actual trail in this area verses paths other campers had made or that water running off the mountain had created on its way to the stream. Thankfully, after some prayer and retracing my steps I found my way to the trail junction for the Red Ridge trail. (I did those that will come after me a favor by setting up some stacks of rocks particularly in the spot where I went off course.) Ahh, these mountain trails definitely have their surprises! I was expecting a well defined path on this journey, as most of my trip was on the Arizona Trail. If you were to have problems in this area, stay with the stream as it will eventually intersect the Red Ridge trail and there is a good stack of rocks marking the spot. I was a little concerned when I reached the trail signpost as someone had etched a letter "D" in front of the word "RED." Would the Red Ridge trail really be a "DRED" to hike? Not if you don't mind intense, heart-pounding, uphill stretches. The trail was well defined, easy to follow and not too rocky, but between the steepness and elevation gain I hiked at a snails pace and even then had to stop numerous times to bring my heart rate down. It was a beautiful hike offering some great views, especially of some rugged rocky cliffs which the late day light illuminated magnificently. Sunset was arriving quickly and its warm light accentuated the hills and rocky features below. I soon was off the trail and began the trip along the road back to my vehicle. Yet another blessed day and further proof that it's hard to find a hike that isn't worth taking in the Catalina Mountains.

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Coronado National Forest - Linda Vista Trail

Trail info: Length: appx. 2.7 miles round trip depending on which trails you take - Elevation: (low-high) 2720-3120 - Location: Linda Vista Blvd just off of Oracle Rd near the school

I decided at the last minute to go for an evening hike as the heat in Tucson has been a little less intense thanks to some rain and a little extra cloud cover, plus the slight breeze was delightful. This ended up being a great sunset hike with its short length and nice overlooks right at the base of the mountains. As long as you don't mind watching the sunset over the city this is a nice spot without having to go out of your way to get there. (This hike is on the edge of the wilderness area but you are surrounded in all directions except east by development.) While the trail gets you close to the mountains it is a steady climb making it a pleasant stroll. The direct late day sunlight on the mountains made them a glowing yellow turning to pink as the sunset progressed. Lots of birds and bunnies scurried about as I hiked along and there were plenty of cacti to look at. With no worries about trying to get back to the trail head at any given time I was able to hang out and watch the sun setting and along with it a sliver of moon.

• If you are looking to travel to Tucson, AZ or anywhere else, be sure to click over to my travel site.

• If you like the images you see they are available at my Zazzle gallery.

• For Coronado National Forest visitor information click the link.

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Coronado National Forest - Mt. Lemmon - Green Mountain / Brush Corral Trail

Trail info: Length: 8.5 (Green Mtn. up and back) + .9 (Brush Corral Shortcut) + 1.8 (Brush Corral from shortcut back to Green Mtn.) = 11.2 mile loop, Elevation (low-high): appx. 6000-7600 ft.

This trail is all about big views. Many panoramic overlooks of the valley below and plenty of interesting rock structures. At least the Green Mountain portion of the trail is very well maintained and on a recent hike I ran into a fire crew who were doing an excellent job of improving it. Like a typical mountain trail it has long up and downhill sections even though there is not a huge elevation change over the trip. The upper portion of the trail near San Pedro overlook is particularly nice early in the morning as the sun highlights the rocks. My trek on this occasion was particularly nice as it had rained the night before and the lower part of the trail was moist and refreshing as I walked along in the early morning hours. The forest was alive with sounds of animals enjoying the coolness. I hiked up viewing the interesting rock formations above me watching the light changing on them as the sun rose. By the time I reached the Brush Corral shortcut trail things were getting a bit warm even though it was only mid-morning. It was going to be a hot day on the mountain. The shortcut trail is quite a steep downhill trek at times and sometimes easy to loose sight of the trail. Thankfully there are many little rock piles to follow so I never felt like I was off track too much. Once on the Brush Corral trail heading back towards the Green Mountain trail the hike gets down along some pools that during the spring likely have some running water. For now they made a great place to relax and have lunch under the shade of the forest. After this point the trail begins working its way upward and passes a number of interesting rock formations and provides plenty of good views. It dips into another area that likely has water in the spring before climbing quickly back to the Green Mountain trail. When I hiked this it was quite overgrown although the fire crew mentioned the possibility of working on that trail too. You may want to stick with pants for this trail unless you want to get scratched up. Soon I arrived at the Brush Corral, Green Mountain junction and began the trek back which offers great views and some towering rocks to look at. It was getting into the late afternoon and some rolling thunder and storm clouds made for some excitement. I stopped and watched some butterflies and hummingbirds enjoying the agave in full bloom. There were a number of these amazing plants along this hike. As I was coming down the final stretch of trail it was obvious a good storm was brewing and the lightning was quite awesome. I got back to my vehicle just as the rain began. I took off for some of the overlooks, not far away, to watch the storm roll through. It made for great entertainment as I ate dinner, watching the show of lightning and intensely colored clouds with the sun peaking through them until it disappeared below the mountains. Another beautiful day on the mountain had come to a close.

• If you are looking to travel to Tucson, AZ or anywhere else, be sure to click over to my travel site.

• If you like the images you see they are available at my Zazzle gallery.

• For Coronado National Forest visitor information click the link.

• I have images on Flickr ! Please visit and post comments.

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