|
Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking Guide
|
|
|
|
If a fall hike through changing leaves in a aspen forest appeals to you, take this hike. This hike is located near Flagstaff, AZ. From the Flagstaff area, take HWY 89 towards Page, AZ. About 12 miles from Flagstaff (between Mile marker 430 and 431) is the turn off, signed as 'Forest Access' and 'Schultz Pass road'. After 0.6 miles, you come to an intersection. Turn right here onto Lockett Meadow Road. (FR 552). This road is OK for passenger cars if you take it slowly. Take this road for about 4.4 miles (5.0 miles from HWY-89) to the trailhead at Lockett Meadow. Follow the one-way road through the camping area to the day use parking near the trailhead. Be Aware of: If too many leaves have fallen, it makes it difficult to see the trail. 30 yr old Recommendation: I really enjoyed this hike, walking through the changing leaves to a wide open meadow. The length and elevation still makes it a good body workout. This is a moderate hike. Elevation change: about 1000 ft gain. Distance: 4.0 miles to the Inner Basin Meadow and back Time: It took us three hours, not including our hour long nap under the pine trees. Time of year: Spring, Summer, and Fall Solitude: This is a relatively secluded hike, even in the Fall. Expect to meet 10-20 other hikers. This is a well marked trail that takes you through the magical Flagstaff forest in the shadow of the San Francisco Peaks. There are many grade A photo opportunities, especially in the Fall, when the leaves are changing color. This hike has changed a bit since we last took it, so this write-up has changed as well. From the parking lot, the Inner Basin trail is marked by a sign. The trail itself is a wide dirt road, closed to vehicles and easy to follow. The hike climbs steadily up a pine and aspen forest. After 1.5 miles, you reach a dirt road (yes, the same one that started at the parking lot) and some cabins. There is a trail register here you can sign and more directions that point you to the Inner Basin trail. There are a few water wells and pumping stations along this route. Continue along the trail another half mile to the inner basin, where the trail ends. The meadow here has nice views of the San Francisco peaks and is a lovely place to lay out a blanket and relax. If you want, you can take the road back to the parking lot, but this detour adds about 1.5 miles to the length of your hike. Bring a blanket, laying out on the meadow is relaxing and re-energizing. The trail actually continues up to the Weatherford Trail, some 2.3 miles from the cabins (and about 1500 ft more of elevation gain). This is a great Arizona hike. Enjoy!
[Aspen and pine along the leave sprinkled trail]
[If the San Francisco peaks look like this, you are taking this hike too late in the season!]
This hike was taken in Early November 2006
|
