Arizona National Scenic Trail Mormon Lake Passage 29

ARIZONA NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL MORMON LAKE PASSAGE 29

Old growth pine, spruce and fir trees on the AZT

The Mormon Mountain Passage 29 of the Arizona National Scenic Trail slides through the of forests and high plains of Anderson Mesa and the Plateau Lake region of Northern Arizona.

Pollinators alight on sunflowers near Double Springs

At 14.8 miles in length, it’s one of the shortest segments of the 800+-mile route that runs from the Mexico border to Utah and is also one of the most accessible.

Cliffs and clouds on Passage 29 of the AZT

The segment heads north from the Gooseberry Springs trailhead off Lake Mary Road and crosses paths with several campgrounds, water sources and the busy recreation hub around Mormon Lake Lodge to its terminus at Mayflower Spring north of the Dairy Springs Campground.

Navajo Spring site on the Arizona Trail near Mormon Lake

While the trail maintains its backcountry ambience in Coconino National Forest, it never wanders too far from civilization. That’s why this shady slice of the long-distance route located roughly 20 miles south of Flagstaff is a perfect place for day hikers or trail novices to step out with confidence and comfort. Multiple access points and make dropping in and out of the passage or creating abbreviated day hikes a cinch.

A day hike option that starts near the segment’s north end at the Mormon Mountain trailhead doubles down on the shade for a cool summertime escape.

Double Springs trailhead

  Located near the Dairy Springs Campground on the west shore of Mormon Lake, the trailhead is mainly used for the Mormon Mountain Trail, a 6-mile roundtrip hike to the 8,449-foot summit of the eponymous volcanic peak. From the trailhead, it’s a 0.4-mile walk to the Arizona Trail junction where this trip heads left (south). Smothered in old growth mix-conifer woodlands, mountain breezes whip up a cocktail of earthy-pine fragrance in the air. The fir-spruce deep woods that dominate the first mile gradually give way to a Ponderosa pines and Gamble oaks centric biozone.  Where a short stretch of alligator junipers takes over on a sunny ridge, the tree cover gives up fleeting peeks at the lake.

Wildflower meadow near Navajo Spring

After crossing Forest Road 240, the trail enters Double Springs Campground and follow a road a short distance to the Lakeview Trail on the right. The Arizona Trail follows Lakeview for a mile to a junction at the 3-mile point. For a 6-miler, this makes for a good turnaround point.

Part of Passage 29 follows the Lakeview Trail

Mormon Mountain Trailhead in Coconino NF

However, the Lakeview Trail continues for another mile on a sketchy path up to a scenic lookout spot. It’s an optional detour, but forest clearing operations make it somewhat difficult to follow. The Arizona Trail continues south through meadows and aspen glens.

Trail junction at the 3-mile point

At the 6-mile point just beyond Forest Road 90N, the trail meets the Navajo Spring site. A canopy of feathery aspens and acres of wildflowers foil the intrusion of an arc of rectangular concrete troughs.  Once used to water livestock, the decaying array sits in a sunny clearing where filtered light softens its manufactured edges.  

AZT rollovers simplify passing through gates

Farther down a shallow canyon, the Navajo Spring Trail spins off to the left and continues for just over a mile to Mormon Lake Lodge. This makes for another car shuttle or turnaround point option.

Part of the route follows an old railroad bed

For a longer trek, the trail continues south following parts of an old railroad bed before concluding at the Gooseberry Springs trailhead.

The trail is shady and pine-fresh!

 For hikers who still want more, lots of dispersed camp sites anchor the beginning of the trail’s 29.4-mile Happy Jack Passage 28 that explores the Mogollon Rim.

Gooseberry Springs trailhead

ARIZONA TRAIL IN A DAY:

With this primer completed, you might want to participate in the 6^th annual Arizona Trail in a Day event happening on October 17, 2023. The event rallies hikers all across the state to complete the entire trail (in coordinated segments) in 24 hours while raising awareness and funds for trail construction, maintenance and educational programs. Cool T-shirts, too! REGISTER HERE: https://aztrail.org/events/aztinaday-2023/

LENGTH:

From the Mormon Mountain Trailhead:

To Lakeview Trail Split: 3 miles one way

To Navajo Spring: 6 miles one way

To Gooseberry Springs Trailhead: 14 miles one way

RATING:  moderate

ELEVATION: 7,150 -7,484 feet (overall)

Mormon Mountain Trailhead (Dairy Springs Campground): 7,287

Double Springs Campground: 7,146 feet

Lakeview Trail junction: 7,383 feet

Wallace Spring: 7,333 feet

Navajo Spring junction 7,467 feet

Gooseberry Springs Trailhead: 7,484

 

GETTING THERE:

MORMON MOUNTAIN TRAILHEAD (as described here):

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. Roads are paved and maintained dirt suitable for all vehicles.

DOUBLE SPRINGS CAMPGROUND:

From Flagstaff, go 20 miles south on Lake Mary Road (Forest Road 3)  to Mormon Lake Road (Forest Road 90) past milepost 323 on the right. Follow Mormon Lake Road 5 miles to  the Double Springs Campground turnoff and continue 0.2-mile to the trailhead. Roads are paved and maintained dirt suitable for all vehicles.

NAVAJO SPRING TRAILHEAD:

From Flagstaff, 20 miles south on Lake Mary Road (Forest Road 3) and turn left on Mormon Lake Road (Forest Road 90) past milepost 323. Continue 7 miles to Mormon Lake Lodge. Park in the dirt lot behind the reservation office and horse corral. Hike begins at the Environmental Education Center across the road. Roads are 100% paved.

GOOSEBERRY SPRINGS TRAILHEAD:

From Flagstaff, go 32 miles south on Lake Mary Road (County Road 3) to Forest Road 92. This is past mile post 313 on the left and signed for Gooseberry Springs. Continue a short distance to the trailhead on the right. Roads are paved and maintained dirt suitable for all vehicles.

INFO & MAPS:

Coconino National Forest

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/coconino/recarea/?recid=55006

Arizona Trail Association

https://aztrail.org/explore/passages/passage-29-mormon-lake/