A Winter Wonderland in Flagstaff, Arizona
Veit Springs or Aspen Nature Loop
Both of these quick, mostly flat trails along Snowbowl Rd. are perfect for snowshoeing. They typically do not see many visitors in the winter and are located at a much higher altitude than in town (8500+ feet), and hence, always have a lot of snow available for winter activities.
Veit Springs, a mile and a half round trip hike, offers pretty views of the forest and is really tranquil. The trail is just long enough to give you a good workout, although nothing too intense. This is my favorite trail in the area as the dense tree coverage gives it a New England-ish vibe. This trail is ideal for snowshoeing the entire winter season as the high altitude means there is plenty of deep snow for snowshoeing. You can’t beat a nice serene walk here right after a winter storm. Luckily this quaint trail is not very popular so you will feel as if you are completely lost in your own private winter wonderland.
The Aspen Nature Loop is another fantastic option. At just a over a mile and a half RT and almost completely flat, it’s another great snowshoeing option. It’s like Veit Springs with the added bonus of spectacular snowy mountain vistas, although there are not quite as many trees. Bring your camera with for this stunning walk, especially after a major snowstorm.
Check out this gorgeous winter sunset at Snowbowl!
Best time to visit
Although these trails are both relatively quiet, you will still have to take the congested Hwy 180 and travel up the often backed up Snowbowl road to get to either. I recommend visiting as early as possible (before the skiers arrive) to beat the heavy mid morning/afternoon traffic.
Backcountry winter trail passes
Be aware that you will need a backcountry pass to use these trails in the winter (probably part of the reason why no one uses them much), although the pass is free and tends to keep the crowd levels down. Passes can be obtained at the following locations:
Flagstaff Ranger District Office: 5075 N. State Route 89 (8am-4pm weekdays, no holidays)
Coconino National Forest Supervisor’s Office: 1824 S. Thompson St (8am-4pm weekdays, no holidays)
Agassiz Lodge at the Snowbowl: Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-11:30am
Kachina Village
Kachina Village is a small neighborhood located about 7 miles south of Flagstaff. There are few businesses and little congestion in the area, just great views of the uninterrupted forest and a few houses, so you get more of the feel of being out in the country here rather than in the middle of a bustling tourist town. There are several uncrowded parks in the area which are great for sledding, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. In Kachina, you will experience serene snowy views in a quiet setting. Many miles of trails are available for winter recreation.
The pics below were taken along the beautiful Pumphouse Wash Nature Trail
