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Autumn is just weeks away and the first
tiny blotches of fall foliage color have already begun to tease of
what's to come on Flagstaff's San Francisco Mountain. Many hiking
trails on the slopes of Arizona's highest peaks make for ideal fall
foliage viewing. The quaking aspen color spectacle begins in the high
elevations in late September then trickles down into the foothills
lasting through October. Here are six top leaf peeping picks.
ABINEAU-BEAR JAW LOOP
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| Abineau-Bear Jaw Loop, Sept. 28, 2013 |
This rigorous 7.2-mile loop on the
north face of the San Francisco Peaks takes you up to a scenic saddle
through moss-draped, spruce-fir woodlands of Abineau Canyon and back
down the aspen-cluttered gorge of Bear Jaw Canyon via a 2-mile
connecting walk along Waterline Road. Elevation range is 8,530 to
10,320 feet.
Getting there:
From
Flagstaff, go north on US180 (Fort Valley Rd.) to milepost
235.2 and turn right onto Forest Road 151 (Hart Prairie Road, north
access). Continue 1.6 miles on FR 151 and connect to Forest Road 418.
Drive 3.1 miles on FR418 to Forest Road 9123J (signed for
Abineau-Bear Jaw), turn right and go 0.6 mile to the trailhead.
Dirt/cinder roads are rutted but passable by carefully driven sedans.
INNER BASIN TRAIL
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| Inner Basin Trail, Sept. 28, 2012 |
Plan ahead and be prepared for crowds
if you want to stroll among tight knit aspen groves high on the
mountain's eastern face. Getting to this immensely popular trail
involves a white knuckle drive on a curvy dirt road, but for those
who dare to brave the congestion and hairpin turns, the hike is one to savor. The moderately difficult trail begins at 8,630 feet in
Lockett Meadow with a mild but constant uphill walk through an
enchanting white trunk forest capped in gold. Mid way through, the
route enters a gaping basin, fringed in color and populated with tiny
pump houses that manage the watershed that supplies the City of
Flagstaff. The hike culminates with a final, steep slog up to 9,410
feet where it connects with Weatherford Trail.
Getting there:
From Phoenix, travel north on
Interstate 17 to the Interstate 40 junction in Flagstaff. Head east
on I40 and connect with US89 north. Continue 17 miles north on US89
to Forest Road 420 at milepost 431.2 (across from the turnoff for
Sunset Crater). Turn left here and veer left onto FR 552, following
the signs 4.5 miles to Lockett Meadow. The good gravel roads are
narrow and winding with steep drop offs and no guardrails. Sedans
okay, drive slowly and watch those curves. Trailhead parking is just
past the campground. Trailhead has restrooms and fee-based camping. The access road is subject to traffic management to control the mobs during peak color weeks. Expect delays.
KACHINA TRAIL
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| Kachina Trail, Oct. 8, 2011 |
One of the best places in Arizona to
see aspens, this 5.2-mile (10.4 roundtrip) moderate trek wanders on
the mountain's moist, southern edge between 8,790 and 9,290 feet in
elevation. Abundant, year round precipitation feeds an understory of
neck-high ferns that grow among volcanic boulders and some of the
densest populations of aspens anywhere in the state.
Complementing the color frenzy are
shallow lava caves, alpine meadows and scenic landings overlooking
Flagstaff.
Getting there:
From Flagstaff, go 7.3 miles north on
US 180 to Snow Bowl Road (Forest Road 516). Drive 6.6 miles up FR 516
to the signed turnoff for the large parking lot and trailhead on the
right.
ARIZONA TRAIL PASSAGE #34
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| Arizona Trail, Oct. 7, 2013 |
If you've ever pulled over at Aspen
Corner on Snowbowl Road to gawk at golden leaf canopies, you might
want to stay a little longer and take an easy walk on the Arizona
Trail. From the parking area, follow the trail four miles (one way)
to Bismarck Lake for a wind-addled trek dominated by mountain breezes
that rustle up golden, aspen leaf blizzards. Elevation range is 8,780
to 9,000 feet.
Getting there:
From Phoenix, travel north on
Interstate 17 to Flagstaff. Connect with US180 and drive 7 miles
north to Snowbowl Road and head 5.2 miles uphill to Aspen Corner.
There's a parking apron on the left near a split rail fence.
ASPEN NATURE LOOP
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| Aspen Nature Loop, Oct. 15, 2010 |
An easy walk with breathtaking views,
Aspen Nature Trail makes a 2-mile trip through breezy forests at the
base of Humphreys Peak. Situated between 9,270 and 8,990 feet, the
trail has all the benefits of hiking in high elevation autumn alpine
paradise without strenuous climbing.
Getting there:
From Flagstaff, go 7.5 miles north on
US180 to milepost 223, turn right onto Snowbowl Road and continue 6.2
miles to the Humphreys trailhead on the left. Hike begins on the
northwest side of the parking lot. Roads are paved up to the parking
lot.
LAMAR HAINES MEMORIAL WILDLIFE AREA |
| Lamar Haines, Oct. 11, 2013 |
This short and easy kiddie favorite is
jam packed with enough points of interest to keep even the most antsy
young ones entertained. Stashed along the margins of this woodsy,
1.6-mile loop trail are springs, petroglyphs and ruins of a homestead
tucked into foothills that roll between 8,600 and 8,450 feet.
Getting there:
From Flagstaff,
go 7.5 miles north on US180 to milepost 223, turn right onto Snowbowl
Road and drive 4.2 miles to the Lamar Haines Memorial Wildlife Area
trailhead on the right.
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