Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking Guide

MORMON MOUNTAIN TRAIL

If a hike through a forest canyon with good views along the way is for you, then you will like this hike.

HOW TO GET THERE

This hike is located near Flagstaff, AZ.

From the Phoenix area, take I-17 North to the point where I-40, I-17, and HWY89A meet. Take the Lake Mary Road exit and head south. Go about 20 miles on this road to the turnoff to the Mormon Lake Road on the right. Turn right here and go 3.7 miles to the turnoff to the Dairy Springs Campground. Follow the signs for the Mormon Trail and go another 0.3 miles to the trailhead. 

RATING

Be Aware of: Not much parking area at the trailhead.

30 yr old Recommendation: The views always seem to be just out of reach, hiding behind the forest trees. This is a Moderate hike because of the climb. 

DETAILS

Elevation change: about 1300 ft gain to the top.

Distance: 5.25 miles round trip.

Time: It took us three hours. We made a pretty good pace at the top while being chased by mosquitoes.

Time of year: Spring to Fall

Solitude: We saw about 25 other hikers. This isn't such a good hike to choose if you are looking for solitude.  

This hike starts next to the Dairy Springs Campground and the start is well signed. There is forest service information here showing the different trails in the area. The trail we are interested in is marked "Mormon Mountain Trail #58".

This trail gains elevation steadily from the parking area. There is a display here that provides some interesting information about old growth forests. After a short while, the Arizona trail crosses Mormon Mountain trail. Stay straight (this point is well signed) at this point. While hiking along this trail be sure to catch the elusive glimpses of Mormon lake coming into view. Depending on the time of year and the level of rainfall, this could be an impressive lake or a grassy meadow. When we did this hike it was after a very wet winter so Mormon Lake held an impressive amount of water.

One warning on this trail, there were many downed trees blocking the trail. We lost the trail a few times while detouring around these trees. Besides the views of Mormon Lake, the other attraction on this hike is the old growth forest itself.

About 2.25 miles into this hike, the trail flattens out, as you are on the top of the mountain. Unfortunately, the thickness of the forest here block any views of the lake. At this point in the trail, we saw a few snow patches, as summer had not hit in earnest yet. The trail continues on to an alternate trailhead on FR9466L. This flattening area is where turned around due to a thickening amount of mosquitoes. 

Enjoy!

[Views of Mormon Lake from the trail]

[Hiking through the forest near Mormon Lake]

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