Uglyduck
Adventurer
After attending several group rides with other ExPo members in N.Az I've come to appreciate how little I really know about my home's history. Flagstaff has an incredibly rich past, from explorers paving the way for wagon trails west, warring with the natives, and of course the timber industry. My family and I set out the create a route that highlights some of Flagstaff points of interest and to do as much of it (if not all of it) on dirt. We pre-ran the north half this weekend to scout it out for a future trip when the entire route is done.
We started in Government Prairie, passed around Kendrick Peak to the north face of the San Francisco Peaks on the first day. Remnants of the wagon trails criss cross this area and its easy to see why early settlers stopped here. The scenery is amazing, unfortunately our photography doesn't capture that and on the second day we just didn't grab the camera enough. Another lesson learned.
The second day was the longest. We traveled along the north face of the Peaks to Sunset Crater where we stopped and walked the lava flow. I got a chance to see the old ice cave there, I hadn't been there in 20 years and recall going inside on a school field trip. Its long since been blocked off, and probably for good reason. From there we took pavement
up to Wapatki where we had lunch. The ruins are spectacular but we were quickly overcome with tourists and headed out again. We then traveled south through the cinder cones down to Leupp road where we crossed and continued to I-40 and Winona. The cones were full of people on sandrails and quads enjoying the weekend. I even spotted a new Ausie Adrenalin Camper, nice rig.
The route is passable by a stock 4wd towing a trailer. We got a late start on the first day and the drive up to Wapatki ate up some time. Given, that the north half is doable in a day and is roughly 70 miles long. I'd rate this portion as a 2.0 that can be slightly complicated in the muddy monsoon season.
The route, created using google maps and exported to my iPhone and iHike app
Airing down in Government Prairie
The lone little tree making a statement. Be Different.
Prairies like this are quite a contrast to the continuous pine forest up here. We absolutely loved this prairie and plan on exploring it more. We spotted some potentially excellent sledding hills.
Just when you think you're alone, you run across the random sign of civilization. It seems to happen on every trip.
The Boxer posing and on alert for coyotes. There was a big herd running around in the middle of the night. Their howling still gives me chills even though I've grown up listening to them.
Another great NoAz sunset
A fork in the road south of Leupp Rd. This made me appreciate real time mapping and accurate signage. We went left but probably should've gone right. Got there eventually
We started in Government Prairie, passed around Kendrick Peak to the north face of the San Francisco Peaks on the first day. Remnants of the wagon trails criss cross this area and its easy to see why early settlers stopped here. The scenery is amazing, unfortunately our photography doesn't capture that and on the second day we just didn't grab the camera enough. Another lesson learned.
The second day was the longest. We traveled along the north face of the Peaks to Sunset Crater where we stopped and walked the lava flow. I got a chance to see the old ice cave there, I hadn't been there in 20 years and recall going inside on a school field trip. Its long since been blocked off, and probably for good reason. From there we took pavement
up to Wapatki where we had lunch. The ruins are spectacular but we were quickly overcome with tourists and headed out again. We then traveled south through the cinder cones down to Leupp road where we crossed and continued to I-40 and Winona. The cones were full of people on sandrails and quads enjoying the weekend. I even spotted a new Ausie Adrenalin Camper, nice rig.The route is passable by a stock 4wd towing a trailer. We got a late start on the first day and the drive up to Wapatki ate up some time. Given, that the north half is doable in a day and is roughly 70 miles long. I'd rate this portion as a 2.0 that can be slightly complicated in the muddy monsoon season.
The route, created using google maps and exported to my iPhone and iHike app
Airing down in Government Prairie
The lone little tree making a statement. Be Different.
Prairies like this are quite a contrast to the continuous pine forest up here. We absolutely loved this prairie and plan on exploring it more. We spotted some potentially excellent sledding hills.
Just when you think you're alone, you run across the random sign of civilization. It seems to happen on every trip.
The Boxer posing and on alert for coyotes. There was a big herd running around in the middle of the night. Their howling still gives me chills even though I've grown up listening to them.
Another great NoAz sunset
A fork in the road south of Leupp Rd. This made me appreciate real time mapping and accurate signage. We went left but probably should've gone right. Got there eventually
