photo credit: Doug Paul

Another timely and universal question from a visitor came in to our Flagstaff hotels and visitors guide, Flagstaff.com. I know lots of people want to know exactly when to come to Flagstaff to see fiery gold, red and orange fall foliage.  Today, Jared specifically wanted to know when to visit, where to stay and where to go to see the best of Flagstaff’s fall leaves.

Dear Arizona Travel:

My wife and I are planing a trip to Flagstaff and want to go when the changing of the colors is best, when would that be this year? If we were to stay a night where would a good place be to stay that we can take a walk or something in a good forest area to look at the colors?

–Jared W.

My answer, with some really helpful links, after the bump…

Dear Jared:

In general, mid-September to mid-October is optimal for leaves changing in Flagstaff… particularly with the aspen.  However, things have not quite started to change yet, so I would plan your visit for end of September, first week of October. Keep an eye on this fall foliage map from weather.com… it’s a great resource for planning a trip for this very short season!

A hotel with forested walking areas?  Bingo – Little America Flagstaff is exactly what you’re looking for.  The 500-acre property has a 2-mile walking trail that winds through a ponderosa pine forest.

Flagstaff has a terrific Urban Trails System; check out the city’s FUTS webpage for trail maps, descriptions and more.  I recommend the Aspen Loop trail for walking and light hiking. Start at the lower parking lot of the Humphrey’s trailhead. This 4-mile stretch (round trip up to 8 miles long,) is a recently completed section of the mother 300-mile Arizona Trail. The trail is fairly level, decending only about 300 feet, and traverses the mountain with great views of Kendrick and Humphrey’s mountains. It winds through ponderosa and fir, then enters a beautiful aspen grove. With luck, you’ll see some tremendous fall colors.

For a more moderately strenuous hike, consider the Kendrick Trail.  We just did a great blog post on this trail that will give you all the details.

If you come a little further into October, definitely do a scenic drive from Flagstaff to Sedona via Oak Creek Canyon (Hwy 89). It is a spectacular drive and absolutely gorgeous in the fall.

–ChristinaToo

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

January happens to be the time of year that many people begin planning their trips to the Grand Canyon. Who better to ask for a recommendation than someone who treks The Canyon for a living! Rob Sewell, an avid outdoors man who owns his own Grand Canyon guided tour company, wrote a small article that provides some insight as to what we can expect when exploring the Grand Canyon…

“Backpacking through the depths of this vast labyrinth, from the Canyon’s Rim to the Colorado River, reveals a truly enlightened look at one of the wonders of the natural world. On a recent trip to the Grand Canyon, Delores Miller, accompanied by Hydros Adventures, set out on the world renowned Bright Angel Loop.

This hike is the classic Grand Canyon loop hike and a great backpack for first time Canyon hikers. Using the South Kaibab Trail, a route built by the park service for its expansive views, one walks through the geologic past, making their way to the mighty Colorado River and Bright Angel Campground. Adjacent to the Bright Angel Creek, this is a great base to fish, hike, explore, and relax while taking in the splendor of the inner gorge. Making your ascent out of the Canyon, you will hike through Devil’s Corkscrew and along Garden Creek, through some beautiful sandstone narrows before reaching Indian Gardens. Here, in this desert oasis of ancient cottonwoods, you can set out to observe ancient ruins or take a hike to Plateau Point, one of the most amazing views in the inner canyon. After Indian Gardens, you will hike up Jacob’s Ladder, past stunning vistas and ancient pictographs (rock art) to the end of your journey…”

Read full article about the Bright Angel Loop at the Grand Canyon

The reward for those willing to make the effort, a mere fraction of the visiting public, is a chance to marvel at the unfolding beauty of the Inner Canyon. For those that are capable it is truly an experience not to be missed.

With few exceptions, the 1.2 million acre Grand Canyon National Park is fair game for foot traffic. Due to the difficult terrain the vast majority of the backcountry is only accessible by experienced off-trial hikers or uphill forays from rafting trips. To assist the rest of us there are approximately two-dozen established trails that provide access to some of the park’s most remarkable destinations.

Read more of this comprehensive Grand Canyon hiking, backpacking & camping guide at www.thecanyon.com.