Mormon Mountain Trail in Coconino National Forest, AZ

Hike Mormon Mountain Trail Coconino National Forest, AZ

Class 1 6.7 miles 1300 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Jun 13, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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On my way back home I wanted to hike Humphreys Peak since I haven't done so in many years, but a wildfire broke out north of Flagstaff so recently that there weren't even any indicators yet that the trailhead was closed. I didn't take any chances and instead went to nearby Mormon Mountain, a peak with a trail to nearly its summit. I thought it also might be a nice viewing point to see the fire, so that was the microscopic silver lining. Reaching the trailhead shouldn't be a problem for any vehicle, though the last half mile is a tiny bit rocky.

The Mormon Mountain Trail is well-signed and easy to follow for its duration. Initially it passed a campground before ascending toward the southern lumps of the peak. Along the way I got hints of views to the south and toward nearby Mormon Lake. Most of the hike was just a forested trail, but there was one nice meadow toward the end. Just past this meadow the trail ended at a well-graded dirt road (driveable for those who want to get to the summit without hiking), which I followed on foot to some radio towers. A short jaunt to the north led through the forest off-trail and past the towers to the high point. Just past the high point is a nice view toward Humphreys Peak, the best view of the hike by far. I could see the burning slopes surrounding the state's high point, including large flames to accompany the massive plumes of smoke.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mormon Mountain
8510 ft
1140 rise

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Starting at the Mormon Mountain Trailhead.
Starting at the Mormon Mountain Trailhead.
Plenty of signs marking the way on the Mormon Mountain Trail.
Plenty of signs marking the way on the Mormon Mountain Trail.
View back as I ascend toward the southern end of the peak.
View back as I ascend toward the southern end of the peak.
View back, an obscured view to the south.
View back, an obscured view to the south.
The hike is forested pretty much the whole time.
The hike is forested pretty much the whole time.
Image 5 from gallery
Image 6 from gallery
Making progress north along the Mormon Mountain Trail.
Making progress north along the Mormon Mountain Trail.
Image 8 from gallery
The hike opens into a small meadow shortly before the trail ends.
The hike opens into a small meadow shortly before the trail ends.
View back, the signage has an incorrect mileage.
View back, the signage has an incorrect mileage.
The end of the Mormon Mountain Trail. I hiked along the road on the left to get to the summit.
The end of the Mormon Mountain Trail. I hiked along the road on the left to get to the summit.
Radio towers ahead.
Radio towers ahead.
Approaching the radio towers.
Approaching the radio towers.
A short jaunt to the north past the towers led up to the summit.
A short jaunt to the north past the towers led up to the summit.
Mormon Mountain summit.
Mormon Mountain summit.
Just past the summit, a view toward Humpreys Peak, the San Francisco peaks currently on fire.
Just past the summit, a view toward Humpreys Peak, the San Francisco peaks currently on fire.

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!