Kendrick Trail in Flagstaff, Arizona is a great hike all around. If you are a regular hiker, this trail would be an enjoyable walk in the park with stunning flora and views along the way as well as a very satisfying 360 degree vista once you get to the top. If you’re not a regular hiker, this is a manageable yet challenging hike that is well worth a little extra push. Let’s put it this way, I saw a couple well into their 70′s doing just fine. Albeit ,though they were in great health.
Kendrick Trail itself is the easiest among three trails to get to the top of Kendrick Peak. The trail is narrow with many switchbacks but gradual with an elevation change of 2,780 feet and a distance totaling 8 miles in and back out. The trail climbs along the northeast slope with a clear view of Mt. Humphrey’s and the ski runs of Arizona Snowbowl about halfway up the trail.
Once you reach the top of the mountain, there is an old log cabin with two cots and sleep gear in a closed chest as well as a little book log to sign. The cabin was built in 1911 just .3 miles up to Kendrick Peak where the fire watch tower was built. The cabin was built in the early twentieth century for the watchman’s convenience. Now, there is a modern watchtower where the fire watchman can sleep on top of the world and just radio down warnings of fires as far as the Grand Canyon and Painted Desert on a clear day.
View Photos of Kendrick Trail
KENDRICK TRAIL
Highlights:
- Breath taking views from the fire lookout on Kendrick Peak.
- Near:Flagstaff, AZ
- Distance: 8 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 2,780 ft
- Hike Time: 6 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Condition: Well maintained trail
- HikeType: Out and Back
DIRECTIONS:
From Flagstaff, go northwest on US 180 to mile marker 230. Turn west on FR 245 and follow it to its end at FR 171 (3.6 miles). Turn right and go north on FR 171 for 3.1 miles to FR 190. Turn right and go east .9 miles to the trailhead. Trailhead is accessible by car, except in wet weather. This trailhead is well marked and has directional maps and a pit toilet
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One of my employees went here last year and said it was absolutely amazing. He said the hiking was a big tough, but that you could pace yourself and enjoy nature. I had to put it on my to-do list after some mountain biking near there!
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