San Francisco Peaks
San Francisco Peaks
4.5
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Located north of Flagstaff, these are the remains of ancient volcanic peaks that may have once reached 15,000 feet above the Colorado Plateau.
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4.5
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Cathy H
Plainfield, IN17 contributions
Oct 2021 • Solo
I went to Buffalo Park to see San Francisco Peaks.There are several trails with all colors of wild flowers. The trails are covered in small volcanic rocks. You can occasionally find small cactus.
If you walk up to the peaks, you'll see that they are surrounded by huge boulders. They look amazing because of their size.I stayed for about three and a half hours. I would definitely like to go back.
If you walk up to the peaks, you'll see that they are surrounded by huge boulders. They look amazing because of their size.I stayed for about three and a half hours. I would definitely like to go back.
Written September 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BrunoLonx
Brasilia, DF285 contributions
May 2019 • Solo
Everyone can see the San Francisco Peaks from the highway as they approach Flagstaff, but this twin "mountains" (they are actually inactive volcanos) are a hiking spot, where you get to view miles and miles away, as it stands from 9,000 to 12,633 feet above sea level. I hiked the Aspen Loop Trail, a short , easy hike inside the woods and then just relaxed myself glancing at the awesome view. The scenic road that takes you from North Flagstaff to Snowbowl parking area is also quite a sight. I definitely recommend you go as well!
Written May 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CJSArizona
Scottsdale, AZ843 contributions
Jul 2016 • Friends
This is one of the prettiest hiking areas in Flagstaff. Lockett Meadow is a popular summer destination for campers and hikers seeking cooler temperatures. Then in October, the big attraction is the changing colors of the aspens --- a joy for photographers.
After navigating the narrow U.S. Forest Service road to Lockett Meadow and the Inner Basin Trail, your reward is a wide sub-alpine landscape of ponderosa pine, quaking aspen, Douglas fir, wildflowers and meadows. You are at 8500 feet, inside the 12,000-foot remnants of an old stratovolcano, now called the San Francisco Peaks.
17 primitive camping spaces are available for $10 per night. Visitors coming just to hike can use the day-only no-fee trailhead parking spaces. Vault toilets are available. There is no fresh water so bring your own.
The Inner Basin trail starts at the far side of Lockett Meadow, in the shade of pines. The forest transitions to aspen as you steadily climb. The mostly smooth trail is easy to follow, and wildflowers in purples, whites and yellows decorate the way. It’s suitable for all ages as long as you are in good cardio shape for the elevation.
After 2 miles uphill you’ll connect with the Waterline trail. Turn right and follow signs for another 1/3-1/2 mile uphill. (You’ll pass several water pump stations for the City of Flagstaff.) When you enter the Inner Basin, the landscape opens up again to meadows, pine trees and mountain peaks. There is a small storm shelter at this point, at 9800’.
Turn around and look behind you: on a clear day you’ll see the distant colors of the Painted Desert. This Inner Basin meadow makes a good turnaround point and lunch stop. For more ambitious hikers, the trail continues uphill another 1.5 miles where it intersects with the Weatherford Trail at 10,000 feet.
Major thunderstorms with severe lightning can develop quickly during summer afternoons. Know the weather forecast. If lightning approaches, head back downhill immediately.
Lockett Meadow and the Inner Basin trail have become very popular. On summer weekends try to arrive early (8am) for better parking and fewer cars on the forest service road. During peak aspen color, weekday mornings are best.
Access to Lockett Meadow/Inner Basin area is seasonal. Depending on winter snow, the forest service road usually is open by late May through October. Part of the access road is steep, rough, narrow and in places the edge falls off sharply with no guard rails. Anyone with a fear of heights will not be happy. RV’s and trailers are not recommended. There are a few wide enough for cars to pass, so watch the road ahead of you for oncoming traffic, and wait in a wider spot as needed.
You’ll find the road to Lockett Meadow off US89 on the northeast side of Flagstaff, directly opposite the entrance to Sunrise Crater National Monument. (Some reviewers talk about Snow Bowl trails also in the San Francisco Peaks --- that area is accessible via a wide paved road on the west side of Flagstaff, off US 180.) For snacks, sandwiches, water, clean bathrooms and gas, there is a convenient Chevron station on US89 a few miles south of the turnoff for Lockett Meadow. I didn’t check last month, but in past years there has been no cell phone service inside the caldera.
After navigating the narrow U.S. Forest Service road to Lockett Meadow and the Inner Basin Trail, your reward is a wide sub-alpine landscape of ponderosa pine, quaking aspen, Douglas fir, wildflowers and meadows. You are at 8500 feet, inside the 12,000-foot remnants of an old stratovolcano, now called the San Francisco Peaks.
17 primitive camping spaces are available for $10 per night. Visitors coming just to hike can use the day-only no-fee trailhead parking spaces. Vault toilets are available. There is no fresh water so bring your own.
The Inner Basin trail starts at the far side of Lockett Meadow, in the shade of pines. The forest transitions to aspen as you steadily climb. The mostly smooth trail is easy to follow, and wildflowers in purples, whites and yellows decorate the way. It’s suitable for all ages as long as you are in good cardio shape for the elevation.
After 2 miles uphill you’ll connect with the Waterline trail. Turn right and follow signs for another 1/3-1/2 mile uphill. (You’ll pass several water pump stations for the City of Flagstaff.) When you enter the Inner Basin, the landscape opens up again to meadows, pine trees and mountain peaks. There is a small storm shelter at this point, at 9800’.
Turn around and look behind you: on a clear day you’ll see the distant colors of the Painted Desert. This Inner Basin meadow makes a good turnaround point and lunch stop. For more ambitious hikers, the trail continues uphill another 1.5 miles where it intersects with the Weatherford Trail at 10,000 feet.
Major thunderstorms with severe lightning can develop quickly during summer afternoons. Know the weather forecast. If lightning approaches, head back downhill immediately.
Lockett Meadow and the Inner Basin trail have become very popular. On summer weekends try to arrive early (8am) for better parking and fewer cars on the forest service road. During peak aspen color, weekday mornings are best.
Access to Lockett Meadow/Inner Basin area is seasonal. Depending on winter snow, the forest service road usually is open by late May through October. Part of the access road is steep, rough, narrow and in places the edge falls off sharply with no guard rails. Anyone with a fear of heights will not be happy. RV’s and trailers are not recommended. There are a few wide enough for cars to pass, so watch the road ahead of you for oncoming traffic, and wait in a wider spot as needed.
You’ll find the road to Lockett Meadow off US89 on the northeast side of Flagstaff, directly opposite the entrance to Sunrise Crater National Monument. (Some reviewers talk about Snow Bowl trails also in the San Francisco Peaks --- that area is accessible via a wide paved road on the west side of Flagstaff, off US 180.) For snacks, sandwiches, water, clean bathrooms and gas, there is a convenient Chevron station on US89 a few miles south of the turnoff for Lockett Meadow. I didn’t check last month, but in past years there has been no cell phone service inside the caldera.
Written August 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
be32
San Diego, CA317 contributions
Aug 2015 • Family
Can you see them from miles away? YES
Are they beautiful close up? YES
Can you hike around them? YES
Can you drive around them? YES
Can you bike up and down? YES
Can you drive around? YES
How about skiing? Also YES!
Lots to offer here and yes you should explore.
Oh and this used to be one very tall mountain but as a volcano the top blew off long ago so it is now multiple peaks. You can learn that over at Sunset Crater and this evidence is best seen/noticed from the east.
Are they beautiful close up? YES
Can you hike around them? YES
Can you drive around them? YES
Can you bike up and down? YES
Can you drive around? YES
How about skiing? Also YES!
Lots to offer here and yes you should explore.
Oh and this used to be one very tall mountain but as a volcano the top blew off long ago so it is now multiple peaks. You can learn that over at Sunset Crater and this evidence is best seen/noticed from the east.
Written September 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom G
Wallingford, CT420 contributions
Oct 2013 • Solo
This trail leads into the heart of an ancient volcano (caldera) and begins at Lockett Meadow. To access the trail head, drive northeast of Flagstaff on US Highway 89 for 12 miles too Forest Road 420 directly across from the Sunset Crater turnoff. Turn left (west) of about 1/2 mile, turn right (north) on Forest Road 552. Turn right at the Lockett Meadow sign and continue to the trailhead. I would recommend doing this hike when the aspens are changing color in early fall. I hiked this trail on October 4th and as the sun shone through the grove of aspens, they were a beautiful gold color.
Written October 20, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert H
Dronfield, UK629 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
On the way back from the grand canyon took the scenic route to flagstaff and had the drive of your life. Scenery is breath taking, you are away from the interstate and you can get out and breathe in the mountain air. If you have the time make sure you drive the route.
Written October 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luvs2TravelAnywhere
New York City, NY7,191 contributions
May 2015
These snow capped peaks are a volcanic mountain range in Coconino National Forest and can been seen everywhere in Flag. They have both skiing and hiking there, and they were named after St Francis of Assi. It's Flag's finest !!!
Written June 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Darryl L
Marana, AZ448 contributions
Jul 2013 • Family
The Snobowl ski lift operates Friday thru Sunday. It costs $15 for adults and takes 30 minutes each way, up and down the mountain. At the top, you can hike around, have lunch, whatever, and then come back down when you like. It is a great ride and fantastic views!
Written August 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dunkledore
VT95 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
We had a great view of the Flagstaff area from the top. It was a bit hazy and much warmer than I expected at 11,500. It is a nice ride up with good views. When we visited hiking was limited to a small area.
Written July 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lily M
Scottsdale, AZ998 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Definitely take the chair lift to the top. Take a sweater as it will be 10 degrees colder or more on the top. It will be a 30 mon. ride up and 30 min. ride back.
Written August 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moved to Arizona earlier this summer. Very interested in taking a mini trip up to Flagstaff, in particular the San Francisco Peaks. I see so many incredibly beautiful photos of the fall colors, so looking to go soon. I'm not an experienced hiker, and that's an under statement. Are there places / over looks where you can stop and park to take photos? I'd loved to get some photos of the various trees, Aspens in particular that I've seen photographer near Inner Basin (I'm aware this is a hiking trail). Any feedback would be appreciated!
Written October 12, 2020
what is the best time to go for a hike ? and isn't it hot in august to go for a hike ?
Written June 29, 2017
Not sure if you are asking about the time of day or the time of year, so I'll answer both. Time of day would be early to mid morning, or later in the afternoon. Keep in mind that you are at 7,000 elevation, so unless you are used to the rarified air, you will find that it is more difficult to climb or hike than at lower altitudes. As for the time of year, that would be solely up to your likes and desires, one thing to keep in mind, when my husband and son went up the Peaks at the Snow Bowl on their gondola/ski lifts in July, they were caught in an ice and snow storm of monumental proportions.
Regardless of when you choose, it is a magical and mystical area with memories created with each step you take.
Enjoy!!!
Written June 29, 2017
jbyame
Denver, Colorado
How far is the south rim of the grand canyon from the San Francisco Wilderness peaks hotel
Written April 6, 2017
flagstaff to south rim of grand canyon. about 1.5 hours and 80 miles. nice road but can have snow in the winter. great hike town to havasupai. take lots of water to drink.
Written April 7, 2017
I'd love to camp at Lockett Meadow. Since it's first come - first serve, when is the best time to go in order to have a chance at getting a campsite? When is this area (including trails) least crowded?
Written May 9, 2016
I'm going with 621 miles from The Arizona Ski Bowl at San Francisco Peaks to the Horseshoe Tavern, 2024 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Written July 9, 2015
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