HIKE OF THE MONTH

hike of the month ARIZONA TRAIL 87 The Arizona Trail has many segments. One of the most scenic runs from Marshall Lake to Fischer Point near Flagstaff.

BY ROBERT STIEVE PHOTOGRAPHS BY TOM BEAN ne thousand, nine hundred and thirteen. That's how many miles separate Flagstaff, Arizona, and Washington, D.C. With that kind of distance, and all of the other priorities of the president, few people would have expected Barack Obama to make time for the Arizona Trail. That said, on March 30, 2009, he signed HR 146, which, among other things, added the 790mile trail to the exclusive list of National Scenic Trails.

Beyond the prestige, the designation is significant because it provides a new level of protection for the trail. Of course, the prestige is nice, too. Prior to the president's signature, there were only eight National Scenic Trails in the country. Now, the Arizona Trail is among an elite group that includes The Pacific Crest Trail.

One of the easiest and most accessible sections of the Arizona Trail, which runs north-south from Mexico to Utah, is the route from Marshall Lake to Fischer Point near Flagstaff. Named for the guy who incorporated the first bank in Flagstaff, Marshall Lake is more marsh than lake. Still, it's a vital wetland that provides habitat for an array of birds, including osprey and bald eagles. What's more, it's beautiful.

From the lake, the easy-to-follow trail (think cow path) cuts across Anderson Mesa, a broad grassy upland dotted with trees. After about 20 minutes, the trail drops into a ponderosa forest. Although you'll be surrounded by trees, it's nothing compared to the Appalachian Trail, which, according to Bill Bryson, is a good thing. As he wrote in A Walk in the Woods, his superb book about hiking that National Scenic Trail: "Woods are not like other spaces. Their trees surround you, loom over you, press in from all sides. Woods choke off views and leave you muddled and without bearings."

The route from Marshall Lake is nothing like that. In fact, it's so open there's a good chance you'll see some wildlife - keep your eyes peeled for elk, mule deer, turkeys and coyotes. Continuing downhill for another 10 or 15 minutes, you'll come to a small meadow, which gives way to more trees and a brief uphill climb. The trail continues like this for about an hour, after which you'll come to the ridgeline of Walnut Canyon. Whether you're ready or not, you'll want to take a break here. The views of the San Francisco Peaks are spectacular - maybe as good as you'll get anywhere in Northern Arizona.

Moving on, the trail switchbacks to the bottom of the canyon (the same canyon that's home to Walnut Canyon National Monument), and passes some beautiful red-rock cliffs reminiscent of Sedona, but with a hint of pink as well. Eventually, you'll come to a large open meadow with a couple of trails going in different directions. Follow the signs to Fischer Point. You could turn around here, but the extra 1.1 miles (one way) to the point are worth the effort. From the top, you can see distant horizons and the meadow you crossed below. And like any apex, it's a perfect place to reflect on the first half of the hike. It's also a good opportunity to look east and whisper "thank you." After all, if you like hiking, you should be grateful for HR 146.

trail guide

LENGTH: 13.6 miles round-trip ELEVATION: 7,133 to 7,708 feet DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate DIRECTIONS: From Flagstaff, go southeast on Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road) for 9.5 miles to Forest Road 128. Turn left on FR 128 and continue 1.2 miles to a fork in the road. Turn left at the fork and drive a half-mile to an intersection with an unmarked dirt road. Turn left and drive a quarter-mile to the trailhead. INFORMATION: 928-526-0866 or www.fs.fed. us/r3/coconino 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.