One trail--many loops

LOWER OLDHAM-ROCKY RIDGE-EASY OLDHAM LOOP

Coconino National Forest

Loop trails are the big thing in Flagstaff’s Elden Mountain-Dry Lakes Hills area.  Every trail connects with another making for myriad hiking options, especially on the west side which was spared from the 2010 Shultz Fire.  Oldham trail #1 is an easy-to-access route leading to some of the most scenic and heavily traveled loops—most notably, the Brookbank and Sunset trails.  Pine, fir and oak trees shade much of the area and several experimental forests and aspen regeneration projects add interest for kids and forest-loving adults alike.  With so many choices, selecting an Elden-area loop hike is a tough decision but, this day, we decided to connect with the Lower Oldham, Rocky Ridge and Easy Oldham trails.

Rocky Ridge Trail

Here’s what we did:  Begin at Buffalo Park and hike 0.5 mile straight thru to the Lower Oldham trailhead—which is also a portion of the Arizona Trail (AZT).  Hike 0.4 mile to the first junction, veer right (northeast) and hike another 0.4 mile to the second junction at Pipeline/Fatmans trail.  Continue hiking northeast (follow the AZT signs) for another mile to the third junction where a sign for Rocky Ridge Access indicates that the AZT turns west (left) here.  This will be the return part of the loop, so continue 0.8 mile north (stay straight) to the big Lower Oldham trailhead on FR557 (Elden Summit Road).  From here, cross the road, pick up Rocky Ridge trail and follow it 0.8 mile to the turnoff for Rocky Ridge Access/AZT---this will be a 3-way junction.  Your path is located slightly downhill near a giant boulder.  Heading east, hike 0.3 mile back to Lower Oldham, turn right (south) and retrace your steps back to Buffalo Park.

Mount Elden seen from Lower Oldham trail

LENGTH: 7.1-mile loop

RATING: easy-moderate

ELEVATION:  7110’ – 7580’

DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 146 miles one way

DOGS: dogs must be on leash in Buffalo Park

KID FRIENDLY?: yes

BEST SEASON: late April - November

GETTING THERE:

From Flagstaff, travel north on Fort Valley Road (US180) to Forest Ave.  Turn left and continue to the stop light at Gemini Drive.  Turn left and follow the signs to the park.

INFO & MAP: Flagstaff Ranger District, Coconino National Forest, 928-526-0866

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=55138&actid=50

MORE PHOTOS:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2757273549756.91572.1795269672&type=1&l=08b6254068

Family-friendly hiking in Flagstaff's Buffalo Park

BUFFALO PARK TRAILS

Flagstaff

Is it just me, or are Arizona winters becoming much shorter and warmer?  It normally takes until March before uncomfortably balmy temperatures send me fleeing to the high country in search of cooler hiking.

However, this January, we here in Phoenix were “blessed” with a few near 80-degree days, which provided the perfect excuse to make a dead-of-winter hiking trip to Flagstaff.  Besides, I was nearly out of my Late for the Train North Rim decaf coffee beans (no, this iconic Flagstaff roastery did not give me free joe for this plug, it's just good stuff), so I figured, I'd hike a trail or two located just north of their Fort Valley cafe location before replenishing my caffeine stash.  Buffalo Park used to be a private wildlife zoo and the goofy buffalo sculpture standing guard at the entrance is a remnant of its past life.  After the zoo closed, the property was incorporated into the Flagstaff Urban Trails System (FUTS---say “foots”) as a non-motorized hike-bike-run-accessible recreation area. Its short loop trails---imaginatively named #1 and #2--- are flat, wide and  ringed with Ponderosa pines and mountain views. The park also serves as a shove off point for the Switzer Canyon, Oldham, McMillian Mesa and Arizona Trails which connect at the park perimeters. In addition--for those who want to add a dose of Flagstaff arts and sciences to the trip-- the park is very close to the Museum of Northern Arizona, Coconino Center for the Arts and the Arizona Historical Society-Pioneer Museum making it a good place to get a quick leg stretch in between cultural immersions.  Need a cup of hot java after a long day of hiking and culture?  You know where to go.

San Francisco Peaks: elevation 12,633'

LENGTH: 2 miles roundtrip

RATING: super easy & barrier-free, suitable for strollers, wheelchairs and walkers

ELEVATION: 7,065 – 7,150'

KID friendly?:  yes

DOGS:  must be on leash and owners must remove all waste

GETTING THERE:

Elden Mountain: elevation 9,200'

From Phoenix, go north on I 17 to Flagstaff.  As you exit I 17 and enter town, you'll be on Milton Road.  Follow Milton north to where it makes a sharp right turn and becomes Route 66.  Continue a very short distance to the first traffic signal at Humphreys Street and make a left.  Travel north on Humphreys to Fort Valley Road (a.k.a. US 180) veer left and continue to Forest Ave.  Turn right and go to the turnoff for the park at Gemini Drive.  Turn left and follow the signs to the park entrance.

NOTE:  the park is used frequently for events (marathons, races for various cures and the like) and may be closed for part or all of some days---especially on weekends.  So, be sure to call ahead.

INFO:  City of Flagstaff

928-774-5281

http://flagstaff.az.gov/index.aspx?NID=1789

MORE PHOTOS:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2280473590055.81122.1795269672&type=1&l=f94a80ab44