As a longtime hiker, I still like to explore new trails, but weather and limited time don’t always make that possible.
In July, I was going to hike Miller Peak Wilderness in southern Arizona. It’s up on a sky island at 6,000 feet. But with our heat wave it was still going to be 90 degrees and rain was also in the forecast, so this is delayed until late September.
While new trails are exciting there are still many beloved trails that I love to return to see how they change with the seasons, or with fire. When you return to old trails, it is best when you can go with someone who hasn’t been there previously.
So I returned to the San Francisco Peaks Trail with fellow hiker Cole. He was in awe and called it fabulous.
I was on this trail when it opened in the 1990s and Arizona Highways Editor Robert Stieve led a hike here. I liked it enough that I come back at least once a year. Editor Stieve liked it enough that it’s included in Arizona Highways book of Arizona’s 52 best day hikes.
Parking at Aspen Corner you are immediately surrounded by the aspens. Less than a mile in you come across a lush meadow with panoramic views of mountains off in the distance as well as above. Plenty of ponderosa pine and aspens dot the trail. Lots of flowers were out during our hike.
Cole was also commenting on the perfect weather as we were up at 9,000 feet. We were in the 70s; Flagstaff was 82 and the Prescott area was well beyond that.
Clouds were coming and going so we would cool off with the clouds and warm up when they would disappear.
There are two highlights to this trail.
The first highlight is about two miles in when you are overlooking the Nature Conservancy’s Hart Prairie Preserve. This has the largest stand of Bebb’s Willow trees in the world. You can see the main building in the preserve along with a couple small cabins.
The second highlight is a side-trip to Bismarck Lake. This often dry lake was the size of a pond due to recent rains. We stopped here long enough for a snack, but sat on the rocks in the trees as it was the perfect place to relax.
The San Francisco Peaks Trail starts at 8,928 feet, but doesn’t go up more than 100 feet as it is extremely flat. It is also part of the Arizona Trail.
The trail is rated as easy. It is an in and out so you can turn around at any point. Or continue as long as you like.
For more information about the San Francisco Peaks Trail, call the Peaks Ranger District at 928-526-0866.
***Kendrick trail is another option
Kendrick Mountain Trail is another awesome trail that I like to return to once a year. This hike with longtime hiking buddy Chris Appleton was bursting with flowers from the recent rains. We both marveled at the beauty.
Like, the San Francisco Peaks Trail it offers great views and aspen trees.
But there are some eye opening differences. The San Francisco Peaks Trail is flat while the Kendrick Mountain Trail is an uphill climb starting at 7,715 and topping out at 10,714 feet. The switchbacks help and a few downed large logs give hikers a chance to rest during the uphill.
While the views will keep hikers entertained, there are two points of interest to find.
Don’t blink or you’ll miss the first one. About three quarters of a mile into the hike, off on the left, is a round circular marker. It could be mistaken for a water hole, but it’s the boundary marker for the wilderness area. Somewhat odd since most wilderness boundaries are marked by signs.
The second highlight is much more pronounced as you can’t miss it if you make it Thar far. On the upper saddle, close to the top of the mountain, The Kendrick Lookout Cabin appears. This was built in 1912 making it the second oldest cabin in the Southwest. It was almost burned down during the Pumpkin Fire in 2000, but firefighters saved the day with a fire blanket. We owe the firefighters a large debt for saving this historical cabin.
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