The Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce distributes a free booklet by this title that is highly recommended. While the booklet includes more popular tourist activities, my list is mostly lesser known adventures you can do for free:
CINDER CONES: I'm always surprised when people ask me, "What is a Cinder Cone?" There are so many of these mini vocanoes around here, and they are fun to hike, despite the deep and slippery cinders! For maps and directions to many, Contact Sunset Crater National Monument. My favorites are Strawberry Crater (Indian ruins at the very top that no one knows about, and to the east also) and SP Crater which is completely in-tact and quite deep, and has tropical-looking lizards! The map will also show where ATV's and Four Wheel Drives are allowed.
INDIAN RUINS: You don't have to pay to see indian ruins..... These may not be as spectacular as Mesa Verde or Montezuma's Castle, but just finding something on your own is rewarding. Basically, if you see a nice knoll with a good view, there's probably a small ruin on top. If you happen to be hiking Fat Man's Loop, look for knolls 1/2-1 mile north of the loop. Also, small hills around Doney Park have pottery laying around. Old Caves Crater has a nice trail all the way up. Off Highway 89 north of the Mall, turn right on Silver Saddle Road. A parking area will be on your left. Once at the top, explore the south side to find the caves. Don't take any pottery!
FOR AWESOME RUINS.... and a 60 mile scenic loop, visit Waputki National Monument. I recommend driving the whole loop that ends at Sunset Crater Monument to get back to Flagstaff, especially if you happen to be on a motorcycle! Take the side roads to see ruins, or you might drive all that way and miss them!
ELDEN'S CABIN SITE: A very short hike... find out how Mt. Elden got it's name. To find trailhead, go up Fanning, to Matterhorn to the culdesac Lugano. The trail immediately splits; stay to the right, cross the pipeline, and be looking for a historical marker sign at the cabin site. To find the spring, find the lowest area at the base of the mountain, directly behind the cabin site. Go west from the cabin site to find John Elden's grave by an Alligator Juniper tree. Keep traveling west 1/2 mile on main trail to find a huge, ancient Juniper that kids can't resist climbing.
ROCK-CLIMBING WALLS: "The Pit" is highly recommended. Also West Elden, just outside of town, has beginner to advanced climbs. Get Directions to West Elden and other sites here.
BIKING/HIKING/NORDIC SKIING: It's not hard to find a trail in Flagstaff, but one of the most popular is Shultz Creek Trail, which is great for hikers, bikers and skiers. Off of Shultz Pass Rd, if you go to the end of Elden Lookout Rd, there are many trails as well. Just look for a small trail near the mailboxes, and it will lead to other trails, which are rolling and fun for skiing or biking. Lost? A major trail crosses Elden Lookout 1/2 a mile after it turns to dirt. Left to Rocky Ridge and right will eventually take you to the Oldham Trail. The Hiking possibilities are endless really. For groomed nordic trails, check out the Flagstaff Nordic Center.
FREE SLEDDING: On South Snowbowl Road. Take highway 180 toward the Snowbowl ski area. When you get to Snowbowl Road, turn left, and go until the road takes a sharp turn. There is a trailhead there. Walk straight up the trail to a small but fun hill, or walk further for a big, big hill. (Just outside of Flagstaff City limits, you will see the official Snowplay Area which is not free).
SCENIC SEDONA: If you haven't seen the redrocks of Sedona, you can't pass this up! Take 1-17 South for a mile or two, then take the Sedona Exit to highway 89A. It will take about 40 minutes to get to Sedona. On the way down you will pass Slide Rock State Park, where you can take the kids swimming down the natural waterslides. If the parking lot is full, no one will stop you from parking up the hill and hiking down the steep trails. For 102 thing to do in Sedona, see VisitSedona.com. If you want to hike Wilderness area and perhaps find indian ruins, try Boynton Canyon.
AIRPLANE WRECKAGE: How would you like to see a B24 Crash Site near the top of Humphrey's Peak? If you have a GPS, I'll email you the coordinates and the directions to get there.
LAVA RIVER CAVE: Wow... it's really dark in there and you go almost a mile underground... so please bring extra flashlights! This thing is huge, and very cold. Sometimes known as the Lava Tube.
To be continued... Come back for more!
Julie Hull, Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker NARICO
juliehull.realtor@gmail.com
928-607-4325
888-801-6624 fax to email