Best Places to Hike in Flagstaff - By: Rick Valence

Flagstaff offers a variety of hiking trails with every type of terrain imaginable. If you are into communing with nature hike along the tree lined trails and get a breath in some of the cleanest air on the planet. You can experience the beautiful pines, crisp clean air and an abundance of wildlife. The most popular of all the hiking trails of all are located in the Grand Canyon. Flagstaff is also home to a thousand or so other trails that are just as scenic if not as majestic.

The Kendrick Mountain trail is well maintained by the US forestry service. It has a parking area and restrooms. This trail also has a trash dump that helps to keep the wildlife safe from consuming human waste products. You will be able to see first hand what inattention to a campfire can do to the land, the charred remains of the "Pumpkin fire of 2000" can still be seen. Aside from this you will take a winding course up to the summit. Along the way you can get a look at a real piece of history as you ass the Kendrick lookout cabin that was built in 1911. Once you have reached the top you will be right underneath a fire lookout tower. Be sure to climb onto the concrete slab and see the amazing views of the landscape it offers.

Sandys and Walnut Canyon has the most amazing pink cliffs you will ever see. The trails meander through meadows and huge talus fields. You can even do a bit of spelunking if you have a mind to. There are some of the spookiest looking caves dotted through out the canyon. Recently the monsoons have been greater and this has given the plants an abundance of water. They are flourishing; unfortunately, this also means that the poison ivy is too. So be aware of the plants you brush up against and take along some medications designed for this purpose.

Lake View Trail is one of the best ways to view the beauty and splendor that is Mormon Lake. You can take a lively jaunt through the ponderosa pines and lovely oaks to eventually come out at Lake View Vista. From this viewpoint you get a spectacularly unique visual of the lake and the surrounding countryside. The best part of this trail is that you are shaded all the way to the vista.

When visiting flagstaff you can rent a cabin to give yourself the total outdoors experience. The also have various Campsites that cater to hikers as well. You can truly rough it while hiking the magnificent trails in and around Flagstaff.

About the Author

Rick works at C.R.I.S. Camera Services in Chandler, AZ in digital camera repair research and development. Rick enjoys photography and writing, especially for the company's camera repair blog. Creativity is something Rick is always interested in finding more of.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Rick-Valence/108383

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