By Sarah Ley
With impending summer temperatures that soon will be creeping into the 100s around the Valley, many families will head to Northern Arizona for a respite from the intense desert heat. Flagstaff is commonly referred to as “the gateway to the Grand Canyon,” but there is much more to this college town than meets the eye. It’s also an outdoor haven offering year-round opportunities to become one with nature, including many hikes of all levels of difficulty for adventurous families. So, bring the children- because there is no shortage of great trails, and you’ll find endless hiking without the crowds or the high costs associated with the Grand Canyon. Here are several simple hikes for families with children in tow.
FATMANS LOOP
The first place you will reach is just next to the KOA Campground, and is probably the most popular and well visited—Mt. Elden, a.k.a., Elden Lookout. There are several trails of varying intensity, and the most suggested route for families with children is Fatmans Loop, an easy one-hour hike that doesn’t go up too high, and loops back to the trailhead. Along the path, you’ll see numerous fallen burned-out trees. There was a fire on this mountain in June of 1977, and there are still numerous remnants for you to -observe and discuss with your kids. Dogs are welcome too, as long as they are on a leash. While hiking Fatmans Loop, I met Billie McGraw, a local Boy Scout mom who was hiking with her two children, Bailey, 6, and Gage, 7. She said they’ve been hiking Fatmans Loop for a few years, and agreed it’s a perfect hike for young children. Best season: April through November. Rating: Easy | Hiking time: 1.5 hours.
CHRISTMAS TREE TRAIL
Travel north from the Mt. Elden trailhead, just north of Townsend Winona Road, to Sandy Seep Trailhead. Take the 1.5-mile Christmas Tree Trail for some great views of Mt. Elden, a former volcano. Christmas Tree Trail is within a forest of ponderosa pines, and offers a simple connector trail, connecting to various loops within other Mt. Elden trails. It is a trail frequented by locals looking for a quick workout, but it also lends itself very well to families with children. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Best season: March through September. Rating: Moderate | Hiking time: 2 hours
OLD CAVES CRATER TRAIL
From Sandy Seep Trailhead, continue north on SR 89 and head east on Silver Saddle to the Old Caves Crater trailhead. Traverse a 1.2-mile trail to Crater Summit, where you’ll experience volcanic cinder fields that lead to the base of an extinct cinder cone volcano. Go right where the trail comes to a “T” to reach the Old Caves Crater. Bobbie McGraw, a local I interviewed, said the kids love searching for shards of ancient pottery that are often spotted along the way. You cannot remove the pottery—these are part of archeological artifacts, and must be left in place. Overall, this is a more moderate 2-3-hour round-trip hike which may not be suitable for younger children. Be sure to wear durable shoes. The sharp-edged volcanic basalt will slice lesser footwear to ribbons. Best season: All year. Rating: Moderate | Hiking time: 2 to 3 hours
RED MOUNTAIN TRAIL
About 30 minutes north of Flagstaff, at the edge of the Coconino National Forest, begins Red Mountain Trail, a well-maintained trailhead offering an easy 1.5-mile hike into the core of an old cinder volcano. The terrain is fairly level, and is soft, red sand, making it a perfect hike for families with little ones. Take Route 180 North from Flagstaff about 30 miles. Best season: All year. Rating: Easy | Hiking time: 30 minutes
ASPEN NATURE LOOP
Perhaps one of the greatest joys for children in Northern Arizona is to experience the Arizona Snowbowl, a ski resort located on the majestic San Francisco Peaks. At an elevation of 9,540 feet at the trailhead, people sensitive to high elevations should consider avoiding this trail. The Aspen Nature Loop offers a 1.5-mile hike that is relatively simple, and traverses through Hart Prairie. Park on the north side of the trail head, Humphrey’s Summit, just west of the Hart Prairie Lodge. The Arizona Snowbowl also offers a summer scenic skyride that is a lot of fun for families. The majestic chairlift ride takes you to the top of the ski mountain with a fabulous panoramic view of the Grand Canyon and Flagstaff. Best season: May through November. Rating: Easy | Hiking time: Up to an hour
