Summer Hiking Guide

Blobs of congealed lava, petrified Permian Period sand dunes and Vishnu Temple are some of the more unusual things you'll see on the hikes in this month's cover story, and then there's the expected: meadows, mountains and streams. If that's not enough, we have at least 30 more reasons to get you off the couch.

BISMARCK LAKE TRAIL
Flagstaff

3 Reasons to Hit This Trail
1 It's one of the easiest hikes on the Coconino National Forest — Coconino, by the way, is the word the Hopis use for Havasupai and Yavapai Indians.
2 The road to the trailhead passes Hart Prairie Preserve, one of the state's premier Nature Conservancy properties.
3 The views of the San Francisco Peaks are as good as it gets.

Foot Notes: Bismarck Lake isn't a lake — at least not by Minnesota standards. It's more like a pond or a lagoon or a big mud puddle, and it functions as a stock tank, which makes it an important source of water for the resident elk and mule deer. It also serves as a milepost that identifies the end of this trail. Like the route into Sandys Canyon (page 24), this is a short hike that hooks up with the Arizona Trail. If you're interested in more distance, the latter extends for 817 miles to the north and south, but if you need a spur-of-the-moment fix of an evergreen forest, this will hit the spot. The trail begins with a gradual uphill climb through a world of ponderosas and aspens. After five minutes, it arrives at a small meadow, where you'll catch your first glimpse of the San Francisco Peaks. It won't be the last, and the best is yet to come. From there, the trail dips back into the woods, and the aspen quotient increases. It stays like that for another 15 minutes, until the dirt path leads to another meadow and the payoff views of the peaks. There, the trail splits. To the right is the Arizona Trail, and to the left is Bismarck Lake. Go left, and keep your eyes peeled for thirsty ungulates.

Trail Guide
Length: 3 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 8,589 to 8,817 feet
Trailhead GPS: N 35˚21.793', W 111˚44.082'
Directions: From Flagstaff, drive northeast on U.S. Route 180 for 10 miles to Forest Road 151, turn right and continue 6.3 miles to Forest Road 627. Turn right onto FR 627 and drive 0.75 miles to the trailhead.
Vehicle Requirements: None
Dogs Allowed: Yes (on a leash)
Horses Allowed: Yes
USGS Map: Humphreys Peak
Information: Flagstaff Ranger District, 928-526-0866 or www.fs.usda.gov/coconino

To read about the other nine hikes in our Summer Hiking Guide, pick up the June 2013 issue of Arizona Highways, on newsstands now. Or, subscribe today.

The Great Outdoors

You can find scenic and historic places to visit in any part of Arizona, whether you're the type of person who likes to explore the outdoors on foot, or if traveling in the family wagon is more your speed.

No matter your travel plans, bear in mind the Leave No Trace Ethics:
• Plan ahead and be prepared.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
• Dispose of waste properly and pack out your trash.
• Leave what you find.
• Respect wildlife and minimize impact.
• Be considerate of others.

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