Elden Mountain in Coconino National Forest, AZ

Hike Elden Mountain Coconino National Forest, AZ

Class 1 5.4 miles 2400 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Oct 10, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Elden Mountain GPX Track

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Elden Mountain is a prominent volcanic hill rising above Flagstaff, topped with communications towers and a lookout. Humphreys Peak and the San Francisco Peaks to the north dominate the area, but Elden Mountain serves as a nice outing close to town. We opted to take the Elden Lookout Trail, which begins on the south side of the mountain, although a forest road does lead to its summit from the west. Parking is right off the highway and the trail is well-marked.

Starting pretty flat at first as the trail leads through the forest, passing a few junctions along the way. Then the Elden Lookout Trail progressively steepened as it switchbacked up the southeastern slope of the peak. The trail was often rocky, but well-maintained and quite popular. After passing through various types of foliage ranging from scrubby bushes to pine trees, we reached the broad summit area, where we took in the views before heading back.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Elden Mountain
9299 ft
1219 rise

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Starting at the trailhead, Elden Mountain visible through the trees.
Starting at the trailhead, Elden Mountain visible through the trees.
Mostly flat first section along the trail.
Mostly flat first section along the trail.
Switchbacks on the Elden Mountain Trail.
Switchbacks on the Elden Mountain Trail.
Image 3 from gallery
Image 4 from gallery
The trail gains a fair amount of elevation and the scenery begins to change.
The trail gains a fair amount of elevation and the scenery begins to change.
Flagstaff visible below.
Flagstaff visible below.
Making progress up the switchbacks.
Making progress up the switchbacks.
Elden Mountain lookout tower visible ahead.
Elden Mountain lookout tower visible ahead.
Nearing the summit.
Nearing the summit.
View back just below the summit.
View back just below the summit.
Humphreys Peak (or rather, its sub-peaks) visible in the distance.
Humphreys Peak (or rather, its sub-peaks) visible in the distance.
At the end of the Elden Mountain Trail, where we picked up a dirt road leading to the summit.
At the end of the Elden Mountain Trail, where we picked up a dirt road leading to the summit.
Elden Mountain, view down into Flagstaff where we started from.
Elden Mountain, view down into Flagstaff where we started from.
Communications towers at the summit.
Communications towers at the summit.
Close-up toward the San Francisco Peaks.
Close-up toward the San Francisco Peaks.

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!