Hiking Hotspot: Red Mountain in Flagstaff, Arizona
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I have hiked many great trails in the Coconino National Forest since moving to Flagstaff. One of the most unique hikes I’ve come across is called Red Mountain. This hike is a bit different as you will get to hike to the amphitheater of an ancient volcano. It’s located just 25 miles north of the city and worthy of a daytrip in my opinion. It’s a great roadside stop on Hwy 180 on the way to or from The Grand Canyon. Tourists often pass it up in favor of more popular options like Walnut Canyon and Sunset Crater, although I consider it an underappreciated trail worth checking out.
The trail is easy in intensity with a very gradual elevation gain. Following a relatively stress-free 1.5 mile hike, you will reach an ancient volcano which is estimated to have erupted about 740,000 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 – not just at the end. 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 much traffic as the tourist hotspots, and tends to be very secluded, even on weekends. We didn’t see more than a few hikers on our visit. Overall, this hike is a nice refreshing trek into nature with unusual views, and a much appreciated quiet setting. The scenery was a bit different than other hikes in the area, so this alone warranted the daytrip for us.
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, towering red rock formations will be 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. These are really cool to see in person and I love taking pictures of them. I’ve seen lots of them since moving to Arizona (Chiricahua is amazing), but I imagine tourists new to the area will be really impressed.
I love strolling around taking pictures of all the unique rock formations and hoodoos. This really is a fascinating hike for anyone who appreciates unusual landscapes. I give it bonus points for standing out amongst the other options in the region.
Red Mountain is considered a very unusual cinder cone due to the U shaped curve and asymmetrical shape.
In short, this 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 we have gotten lost on more than 1 hike in this area due to poor signage as well as the presence of multiple forks in the road. At just a little over 3 miles round-trip, I recommend this trail to everyone even beginning hikers.
Prepare for the high elevation
On a side note, I recommend acclimating 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. I recommend enjoying breakfast in Flagstaff before heading out (check out a few of my favorite local establishments). With the drive and hike combined, this is at least a half day activity.
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. Leashed dogs are allowed.
