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A1 MOUNTAIN
Flagstaff
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| Bill Williams Mtn as seen from the rim |
Way back in 1930, from a telescope perched on Flagstaff's
Observatory Mesa, Percival Lowell discovered the planet Pluto---er, the
"trans-Neptunian object formerly known as Pluto". Stripped of its solar system membership
in 2006, the plutiod suffers the same ignoble status as the volcano that built
the hill from which it was discovered. From space, the conical, volcanic form of A1 Mountain is
clearly visible. However, because more impressive mountains and a coniferous
cloak obscure the geological wonders of this 300,000-year-old cinder cone, it's
considered a minor character in the Flagstaff volcanic field. Although it's small and often abused by target shooters and
dirt bikes, the hill deserves more respect. A1 Mountain and its molten issue
have made significant impacts on the surrounding landscape, birthing many of west Flagstaff's gnarled lava formations including Observatory
Mesa. A closed forest road (unsigned 9218D) serves as the trail for this
hike. Unmitigated by switchbacks,
the route goes straight up the hill with the last 0.2-mile being quite steep
with tricky footing. At the crest
of this final haul hikers emerge on the lip of the volcano's inner crater, but,
due to its heavily forested condition, this is difficult to discern. The only
clues are swales of vivid green grasses and tiny pools of rainwater in a ring
of gigantic Ponderosa pines confined in a surround of vertical igneous walls.
Within a few yards of the lip, the road splits, looping up to the summit, down
into the crater's east face breach and back again. From the high points, breaks in tree cover reveal views of
Bill Williams Mountain, Wing Mountain and the western plains of Kaibab National
Forest. To the east, the white
dome of Lowell Observatory resting on the ejecta of this beautiful massif opens
nightly to survey the universe.
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| inside the crater |
LENGTH: 2 miles roundtrip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 7700' - 8302'
GETTING THERE:
From Flagstaff, go west on I40 to exit 190, A1 Mountain Road
(FR506). Follow FR506 for 2.6 miles to FR518B, veer left (set your odometer)
and continue 1.4 miles to a culvert marked by 3 light-colored boulders on the
left side of the road and reflector posts. The trail begins a few yards beyond at an unsigned road on
the left. There's
plentiful parking a few steps little farther up FR518B. A high-clearance
vehicle is required.
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| A1 Mountain seen from FR506 |
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