Hiking Hotspot: Red Mountain in Flagstaff, Arizona
The Red Mountain trail is an easy, quiet, scenic 1.5 mile out-and-back hike, located just 25 miles north of Flagstaff. It’s a great roadside stop on the way to or from The Grand Canyon. This hike is just one of many great outdoor adventures to explore during your time in Flagstaff, Sedona, and surrounding areas. A quick and scenic drive along Hwy 180 will take you to one of the area’s best hikes. Often passed up in favor of popular options like Walnut Canyon, Sunset Crater, and Snowbowl area trails, Red Mountain is an under-appreciated option that is more than worthy of a visit.
The trail is easy in intensity with a very gradual elevation gain. Following a relatively stress-free hike, you will reach an ancient volcano, which is estimated to have erupted about 470,000 years ago!
The journey is quite scenic as the cinder cone rises up 1000 feet higher than the surrounding landscapes, thus there is a great view for the entire length of the trail. Plant life along the way consists of junipers and pines, although there is not much shade, so this would be an uncomfortable hike in the dead of summer. On the bright side, the trail does not see as many people as more popular options nearby, and tends to be very secluded, even on weekends. Overall, the Red Mountain hike is a nice refreshing trek into nature with stunning views, and a much appreciated quiet setting.
The Red Mountain Amphitheater
Once you reach the volcano, you will climb up a short staircase to enter the natural amphitheater. As you stroll around, you will be in awe of the towering red rock formations surrounding you; it’s quite a spectacular experience. You will also notice lots of hoodoos, which are basically strange looking pillars which protrude out from the rocks.
Red Mountain is considered a very unusual cinder cone due to the U shaped curve and asymmetrical shape.
In short, Red Mountain is a great hike for just about anyone as there really are no major hills or rough terrain to navigate through. The route is easy to follow (with proper trail markings). This is a good thing as many area hikes are confusing due to poor signage as well as the presence of multiple forks in the road. At just a little over 3 miles round-trip, even beginning hikers should be fine hiking Red Mountain.
Prepare for the high elevation
On a side note, acclimatize yourself to the high elevation around town for a few days beforehand. Also, take your time, eat before your hike, and drink plenty of water! Plan for about 1-1.5 hours total depending on how many pics and breaks you take.
Directions
Head out of Flagstaff on Hwy 180. When you arrive at milepost 247, turn left to enter the trailhead area. You will drive about a quarter of a mile on a dirt road before reaching the lot. There is no fee to park. Be aware that there is no drinking water or restrooms here.
