MORMON MOUNTAIN

MORMON MOUNTAIN

Coconino National Forest

Mormon Mountain

Having hiked up Mormon Mountain perhaps a dozen times, I’ve decided to give it a nickname: Upside Down Mountain. That’s because when compared to a typical mountain trek experience, this one plays outside the box. First, the most difficult climbing happens along its base rather than near the top and second, views normally gained on summits are seen near the bottom of this trail.  Although some online reports besmirch Mormon Mountain Trail #58 because of its failure to conform, I rank it high on my list of must-dos because of its renegade nature. 

Dense coniferous forests cover much of the trail

Shrouded in an old growth forest, the lumpy dome of Mormon Mountain is an impressive landmark on the western edge of Flagstaff’s plateau lakes region.  Despite its beguiling profile, the trail that ascends its southeast face is pleasantly devoid of crowds.

Richardson's Geranium bloom April through October

The route’s gradual but steady ascent doesn’t have any precarious edges or wind-in-your-face vistas.  Along the first mile, views of marshy Mormon Lake peek out from a curtain of pines and oaks but after that, the trail ducks into cloistered woodlands of spruce, fir and pine.  A mix of saplings, mature growth, snags (standing dead trees) and downed logs create an untamed atmosphere and juicy habitats for turkeys, owls, squirrels, bears and bats. A few years ago, while hiking the trail in pre-dawn light, a swarm of what I thought were butterflies flew in front of me.

Sparse views of Mormon Lake occur on the lower trail

It wasn’t until I saw them fold their wings to roost beneath the bark of a dead pine tree that I realized they were bats. That was my only encounter with the nocturnal flying mammals. Bats are usually harmless to humans and are valuable as pollinators and beneficial for controlling mosquito and insect populations.  Arizona Game & Fish has guidelines for bat encounters on their website and it’s a good idea to read it before venturing into bat territory.

Old growth forest scene

Once the trail hits the 8000-foot point, it levels out as the forest changes from a shady coniferous tunnel to a sunnier mix of brambles, meadows and aspens. At the 2.5-mile point, a sign at the entrance to an open field makes for a good turnaround point. (Note, the forest service says this trail is 3 miles long, but my GPS recorded 2.6 miles.)  However, if you’re up for more, veer left and hike another 0.1 mile to where the trail ends at Forest Road 648. From here, you can turn right and hike the road another 0.6 mile to an array of communication towers for Flagstaff and Sedona area broadcasting stations.

A meadow near the end of the trail

True to its outsider nature, this mountain doesn’t yield the expected soaring peak and unobstructed panorama. Its true highpoint resides on a tree-cluttered lump somewhere beyond the towers, however signs about private property and radiation exposure were ample inspiration for me to end the trek at the property boundary and head back the way I came.

Forest Road 648. Scars on the aspens are elk antler rubs.

LENGTH: 5 miles roundtrip or 6.6 miles roundtrip to the towers

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 7220’ – 8440’

Deers Ears bloom May thru August

GETTING THERE:

From Flagstaff, go 20 miles south on Lake Mary Road (Forest Road 3) and turn left on Mormon Lake Road (Forest Road 90) past milepost 323. Continue 3.6 miles to Montezuma Road and the turn off for Dairy Springs Campground, turn right and go 0.3 mile to the trailhead.

INFO & MAP:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=55016&actid=50

LIVING WITH BATS:

https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife/livingwith/bats/

MORMON MOUNTAIN

MORMON MOUNTAIN

Flagstaff

Wanna have a snowball fight in May? In Arizona? That’s what we did today on Mormon Mountain. Shaded with old growth timber, this hike in Flagstaff’s plateau lakes region makes a steady but gradual climb up volcanic slopes overlooking the marshy wetlands of Mormon Lake. The forests on this hill are among the very few in Arizona that have not been logged, thus, many of the trees are ancient and massive. I saw a Douglas fir with a girth of over 6 feet! All that shade—and the elevation—preserved just enough snow for us to have a few laughs before heading back down the trail to photograph wildflowers including Woodhouse phlox, Lemmon’s stars and Rocky Mountain Pussytoes that are starting to pop up through the pine needle litter.

LENGTH: 6 miles roundtrip

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 7,200’ - 8,440’

GETTING THERE:

From Phoenix, go north on I17 to exit 339 for Lake Mary Road (FR3) located just before the I40 interchange south of Flagstaff. Go 20 miles south on Lake Mary Road to Mormon Lake Road (FR90). Turn right and go 3.6 miles to the turnoff for Dairy Springs Campground. Turn right into the campground and follow the dirt road 0.3 miles to the signed trailhead.

FACILITIES: restrooms & water in the campground

INFO: Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff Ranger District, (928) 526-0866

http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/mormon_lake/mormon-mtn-tr.shtml

MORMON MOUNTAIN

MORMON MOUNTAIN TRAIL Coconino National Forest Often starring as background characters in horror flicks, bats have been portrayed as rabid harbingers of doom, when all they really wanna do is eat bugs and sleep. The much-maligned flying mammals are far from villains and in Arizona, they are an essential component of forest health. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the slopes of Mormon Mountain, the smallest “major volcano” in the Flagstaff area. The Mormon Mountain trail #58 ascends the rounded slopes through a thick, old growth forest of mixed conifers, oaks, and aspens. Dead trees known as “snags” act as “bat condos” where layers of peeling bark make convenient belfries (roosts). Rarely harmful to humans, bats actually make taking a walk in the forest safer and more comfortable. That’s because they have voracious appetites for insects including ever-pesky mosquitoes. In addition to the bat show, this pleasantly shaded route is loaded with active wildlife including turkey, elk, bear and myriad wild birds. The trail ends in a sunny clearing near the crest of the mountain where it connects with forest road 648 for the final climb to the 8,500-foot summit. Although it has been heavily logged and houses a couple of radio towers, the pinnacle features sweeping views of boggy Mormon Lake and the San Francisco Peaks. Highlights: Gradual climb, old growth forests, views of Mormon Lake, bats. Length: 6 miles round-trip Rating: moderate Elevation range: 7,200’ – 8,440’ Driving distance from Phoenix: 170 miles one-way Getting there: From Phoenix, travel north on I-17 to Lake Mary Road (Forest Road 3). Continue south on Lake Mary Road for  20 miles to the Forest Road 90 intersection. Turn west (right) on FR 90 and drive another 3.6 miles to the Montezuma Drive turnoff. Follow the dirt road for 0.3 mile to the signed trailhead. Information: (928) 774-1147 or fs.fed.us/r3/Coconino