Flagstaff Fall Color Hike

After a hailed failed attempt at hiking the Bear Jaw and Abineau Trail where the hike was abandoned due to a thunderstorm that included hail being pelted upon us, I devised a new fall color hike the next day that originated right at the Flagstaff Nordic Center where we were already staying in yurts and small cabins. These cross-country ski trails, located in Coconino National Forest land, are open off-season for hikers, and they are free, well-maintained and even include port-a-potties. There are over 30 miles of trails with a well-marked trail map (distances in kilometers) available next to the bulletin board at the lodge or at the Flagstaff Nordic Center website. Be sure to check out their upcoming Volunteer Weekend, October 21-23, 2011, where one of the tasks will be to repair the Aspen Grove Elk Fencing. The Nordic Center has enough aspens to satiate most fall-color lovers, but like many forested areas nearby, the aspens are undergoing SAD or "Sudden Aspen Decline." Nevertheless, taking the Abineau Trail to the Aspen Yurt, and then the Skirt Trail to the Snowslide Trail, will take you past young aspens and the site of last year's tornado damage. Completing the Snowslide Loop by returning to the Aspen Yurt and the gorgeous meadow around it, and then taking the Weatherford Trail back towards the lodge will bring your hike to about 4.4 miles. To finish off your fall color appetite, turn left off of Highway 180 onto Forest Road 794 and drive through the Hart Prairie Aspen Regeneration area, and then right on Forest Road 151 past the Nature Conservancy aspens to loop back to Highway 180. Be sure to act quickly, though, because the aspens peak around the middle of October.

Length: 4.4 miles for the loop described at Flagstaff Nordic Center
Elevation gain: 400 feet
Time it took us: 2.5 hours
Dogs: Yes
Fees: None