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ARIZONA TRAIL PASSAGE #34
Aspen Corner to Bismarck Lake
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| Aspens on the Arizona Trail, June 22, 2013 |
There's something incredibly calming about aspen trees. Populating mountain climes through
subterranean colonial root systems, the elegant white-barked beauties sway in
tight-knit groves above alpine meadows.
On the western slopes of Flagstaff’s San Francisco Peaks, canyon-born
winds whip canopies of heart-shaped leaves into a symphony of whistles and
whirs that only nature could score. It's usually on frantic summer Thursday
afternoons when I start dreaming about hiking among the aspens on the
weekend. When I'm really in need
of aspen overload (the same self-indulgent malady as a salsa binge or trip to the $30 shampoo store) there's one place that always satisfies---Passage 34 of the Arizona Trail. Although the
entire passage--which begins at Schultz Tank and ends at Cedar Ranch--- is just over 36 miles long,
the very best aspens live in the 4-mile swath between Aspen Corner and the
murky swale of Bismarck Lake. For
years, the meadows surrounding Bismarck Lake have been my go-to place to unwind
and get a quick dose of brain-clearing high country air. So, this week, I decided to hike to the
lake by way of a slightly different route. Aspen Corner is a small stop off marked by a split rail fence
near the top of Snowbowl Road. For
years, hoards of visitors on summer drives have been pulling over to take in
the sights, and since the completion of the San Francisco Peaks segment of
Arizona Trail (AZT), this spot is now also a access point for the state's most
iconic trek. The trickiest part of this hike is getting started. Here's how: From the fence, take the
wide trail heading north (go right).
Within 0.2 mile, go left (heading downhill) at an unsigned junction.
Follow this closed 2-track roughly 0.1 mile to the AZT junction, turn right
(heading north) and follow the AZT markers to the lake. Well-signed and easy-to-follow, passage
34 features sweeping vistas, breezy open air fields, wildflowers galore and a
mixture of aspen glens and pine-fir woodlands. Bismarck Lake--which is all that remains of an extinct
volcanic crater---was bone dry on our visit this week. A wilderness "crime scene" of
elk bones along the normally dusty banks whispered of either drought death or
mountain lion encounter. However,
after summer monsoon rains, the shallow depression transforms into a glassy
reflecting pool and (living) wildlife magnet.
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| View with Alfa Fia Tank |
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| Local wildlife |
LENGTH: 8.2 miles round trip (9 miles with optional Nature Loop)
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 9020' - 8780'
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, travel north on Interstate 17 to Flagstaff. Connect with US180 (Humphreys St), drive 7 miles
north to Snowbowl Road and go 5.2 miles uphill to Aspen Corner. There's a parking apron on the left near
a split rail fence.
INFO:
Flagstaff Ranger District, Coconino National Forest,
928-526-0866
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=55064&actid=50
Arizona Trail Association:
MORE PHOTOS:
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