Elden Lookout, Flagstaff AZ
Summit #28--September 5, 2023
My journey had taken me from Vegas to Hualapai to Flagstaff, en route to Colorado, as noted in the prior account for Summits #26 and #27.
Being something of a mountain town, at nearly 7,000 feet above sea level, I knew Flagstaff would have some great hikes to choose from. I'd cruised through a few times in the past, but never stayed long enough to get a good feel for things. You know, Grand Canyon and all. My bad.
One exception was a trudge up 12,633-foot Humphreys Peak close by, the highest summit in Arizona. That hike was a decade ago and it was one of my 60 Summits in 2013.
So the first thing that jumps out at me is Elden Lookout, a popular hike that begins right outside the city. It's a 2,400-foot climb in under three miles. Perfect!
I camped off a forest road a bit north of town, then was at the trailhead by 7:30. I brewed a quick cup o' jo, downed my usual yogurt and granola, and was on my way. The gentle start was welcome, but even the steep parts weren't so bad, especially with the widening views. Along the trail, yucca fruit looked ripe for the picking. Roasted, it's apparently similar to sweet potato, though I've yet to try.
The 9,299-foot apex came soon enough, albeit somewhat anticlimacticly, developed as it is with a dense copse of radio towers. Their abundance, unfortunately, overwhelms the lookout tower, which is still active and not open to hikers anyway. A big warning sign advised workers to never step in front of an antenna. Presumably, we hikers should heed the same advice.
Now for the way down. Most folks probably just reverse the route. But a longer return option via the Sunset Trail looked more intriguing, so I went for it and was glad I did. What I hadn't calculated was that it was four miles longer. But every mile was especially scenic, including a long ridge run and wide open views of some ruggedly fine topography.
The descending trail maintained a gentle grade with long, sweeping switchbacks, explained at least in part by the trail's design for access to horses and mountain bikes. I saw neither, however, and not even another hiker until I rejoined the main trail near the end of my hike. A few lizards was about it.
So thanks Flagstaff for the fun day and for supporting an excellent regional trail system. I shall return!
