July 24, 2020

July 24, 2020

This morning we set out to explore Flagstaff. We started at the Flagstaff Monument. The city is named after the first settlers who arrived on July 4, 1876 and hoisted a flag atop a Ponderosa Pine log to honor the first Centennial of our nation’s founding. The name stuck.

We next drove north of town. Flagstaff is a small city inside a vast Ponderosa Pine forest. It sits at the base of two mountains. The tallest, Humphreys Peak, at 12,600 feet, is the highest point in Arizona. We drove up the mountain topping out at the ski resort of Snowbowl at 9200 feet. From here we get a good view of the many Cinder Cone volcanoes that litter the area. Even Humphreys Peak is an old volcano. Fortunately it has been 1000 years since the last volcano erupted.

We start up the Humphrey Summit Trail but don’t make it too far. The forecasted rain is looking imminent and may catch us halfway. Instead we do the Aspen Nature Loop Trail. This trail goes through a large Quaking Aspen forest. Beautiful! And no rain!

Back down in Flagstaff we have a late lunch and then head out to do another Elden Mountain hike. The clouds are darkening so instead we head back to the hotel. Just in time. It starts to pour shortly after arriving.