Dry Lake Hills Loop in Coconino National Forest, AZ

Hike Dry Lake Hills Loop Coconino National Forest, AZ

Class 1 6.5 miles 1300 gain 2-4 hrs Loop Oct 3, 2024
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Dry Lake Hills Loop GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

This quick outing uses trails most of the way to snag two ranked peaks outside of Flagstaff. The Dry Lake Hills are located southeast of Humphreys Peak, and while Elden Mountain is the tallest of them, these litte hills are more secluded and worth a visit. The area is popular with mountain bikers, and the winding trails are designed with this in mind.

I started at the Sunset Trailhead and hiked up the Sunset Trail. The lower sections had been recently rerouted, so the trail didn’t exactly match the map, but the junctions were all well-marked. The trail ascended steadily through a minor gully before ascending to a slope higher up, offering occasional views north toward the taller San Francisco Peaks. I took a spur along Full Sail Trail to reach the summit of Dry Lake Hills.

Next, I descended via the Brookbank Trail, which traversed a slope below the ridge, providing nice views across a valley toward Elden Mountain. The trail curved north and descended to a saddle. Here, I left the Brookbank Trail to climb up and over West Dry Lake Hills. The slope was steep and somewhat brushy, but the deadfall was manageable. If this peak doesn't interest you, just bypass it by following the trail system around its northern side. A broad summit boulder was the high point, and the views were partially obscured by dead trees still standing.

I dropped west off of West Dry Lake Hills and rejoined the Brookbank Trail at a switchback. I took a short detour along a spur trail to visit a small pond/reservoir in a wide meadow that doesn't seem to have a name. Continuing north, I followed the Swell Trail until I reached the brief Abalone Trail. Finally, I made my way back via the Broadside Trail. While there are several other loops in the area, this route seemed the most logical for reaching the summits.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Dry Lake Hills
8843 ft
424 rise
2
Dry Lake Hills - West
8747 ft
347 rise

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Along the Sunset Trail.
Along the Sunset Trail.
Occasional views along the Sunset Trail.
Occasional views along the Sunset Trail.
Up a minor gully.
Up a minor gully.
Little meadows along the way.
Little meadows along the way.
Slopes along the Sunset Trail, some views toward the San Francisco Peaks.
Slopes along the Sunset Trail, some views toward the San Francisco Peaks.
Approaching the ridgeline above.
Approaching the ridgeline above.
Junction with the Full Sail Trail to gain the summit of Dry Lake Hills.
Junction with the Full Sail Trail to gain the summit of Dry Lake Hills.
Dry Lake Hills ahead.
Dry Lake Hills ahead.
Dry Lake Hills summit, view east.
Dry Lake Hills summit, view east.
Along the Brookbank Trail.
Along the Brookbank Trail.
View back along the Brookbank Trail, Little Elden Mountain seen top right.
View back along the Brookbank Trail, Little Elden Mountain seen top right.
Elden Mountain top left.
Elden Mountain top left.
Descending to the saddle with West Dry Lake Hills, seen center.
Descending to the saddle with West Dry Lake Hills, seen center.
Steep slope up to West Dry Lake Hills.
Steep slope up to West Dry Lake Hills.
West Dry Lake Hills, view back toward Dry Lake Hills.
West Dry Lake Hills, view back toward Dry Lake Hills.
West Dry Lake Hills summit, view toward the San Francisco Peaks.
West Dry Lake Hills summit, view toward the San Francisco Peaks.
I dropped off West Dry Lake Hills and took a spur trail to this little pond/reservoir.
I dropped off West Dry Lake Hills and took a spur trail to this little pond/reservoir.
Swell Trail.
Swell Trail.
Short section along the Abalone Trail.
Short section along the Abalone Trail.
Broadside Trail back.
Broadside Trail back.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!