This Arizona Trail segment near Flagstaff is perfect for beginners. Here's how to try it

Mare Czinar
·5 min read
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The Mormon Mountain Passage 29 of the Arizona National Scenic Trail slides through the forests and high plains of Anderson Mesa and the Plateau Lake region of northern Arizona.

At 14.8 miles in length, it’s one of the shortest segments of the over 800-mile route that runs from the Mexico border to Utah and is also one of the most accessible.

The segment heads north from the Gooseberry Springs trailhead off Lake Mary Road and crosses paths with several campgrounds, water sources and the busy recreation hub around Mormon Lake Lodge to its terminus at Mayflower Spring north of the Dairy Springs Campground.

While the trail maintains its backcountry ambiance in Coconino National Forest, it never wanders too far from civilization. That’s why this shady slice of the long-distance route roughly 20 miles south of Flagstaff is a perfect place for day hikers or trail novices to step out with confidence and comfort. Multiple access points make dropping in and out of the passage or creating abbreviated day hikes a cinch.

More in Flagstaff: The new Big Bang Trail is a wildly scenic challenge. Here's how to try it

How to do a day hike on the Arizona Trail near Mormon Lake

A day hike option that starts near the segment’s north end at the Mormon Mountain trailhead doubles down on the shade for a cool summertime escape.

Located near the Dairy Springs Campground on the west shore of Mormon Lake, the trailhead is mainly used for the Mormon Mountain Trail, a 6-mile round-trip hike to the 8,449-foot summit of the eponymous volcanic peak. From the trailhead, it’s a 0.4-mile walk to the Arizona Trail junction where this trip heads left (south).

Smothered in old-growth mix-conifer woodlands, mountain breezes whip up a cocktail of earthy-pine fragrance in the air. The fir-spruce deep woods that dominate the first mile gradually give way to a biozone of ponderosa pines and Gamble oaks. Where a short stretch of alligator junipers takes over on a sunny ridge, the tree cover gives up fleeting peeks at the lake.

After crossing Forest Road 240, the trail enters Double Springs Campground and follows a road a short distance to the Lakeview Trail on the right. The Arizona Trail follows Lakeview for a mile to a junction at the 3-mile point. For a 6-miler, this makes for a good turnaround point.

The Lakeview Trail continues for another mile on a sketchy path up to a scenic lookout spot. It’s an optional detour, but forest clearing operations make it somewhat difficult to follow. The Arizona Trail continues south through meadows and aspen glens.

At the 6-mile point just beyond FR 90N, the trail meets the Navajo Spring site. A canopy of feathery aspens and acres of wildflowers foil the intrusion of an arc of rectangular concrete troughs. Once used to water livestock, the decaying array sits in a sunny clearing where filtered light softens its manufactured edges.

Farther down a shallow canyon, the Navajo Spring Trail spins off to the left and continues for just over a mile to Mormon Lake Lodge. This makes for another car shuttle or turnaround point option.

For a longer trek, the trail continues south following parts of an old railroad bed before concluding at the Gooseberry Springs trailhead.

For hikers who still want more, lots of dispersed campsites anchor the beginning of the trail’s 29.4-mile Happy Jack Passage 28 that explores the Mogollon Rim.

Arizona Trail in a Day 2023

If you like this outing, you might want to participate in the sixth annual Arizona Trail in a Day event on Oct. 17. It rallies hikers all across the state to complete the entire trail (in coordinated segments) in 24 hours while raising awareness and funds for trail construction, maintenance and educational programs. Cool T-shirts, too!

Details: https://aztrail.org/events/aztinaday-2023.

Hiking the Arizona Trail Passage 29: Mormon Mountain

LENGTH

From the Mormon Mountain Trailhead:

  • To Lakeview Trail split: 3 miles one way.

  • To Navajo Spring: 6 miles one way.

  • To Gooseberry Springs Trailhead: 14 miles one way.

RATING

Moderate.

ELEVATION

7,150-7,484 feet overall.

  • Mormon Mountain Trailhead (Dairy Springs Campground): 7,287 feet.

  • Double Springs Campground: 7,146 feet.

  • Lakeview Trail junction: 7,383 feet.

  • Wallace Spring: 7,333 feet.

  • Navajo Spring junction 7,467 feet.

  • Gooseberry Springs Trailhead: 7,484.

GETTING THERE

Mormon Mountain Trailhead: From Flagstaff, go 20 miles south on Lake Mary Road (Forest Road 3) and turn right on Mormon Lake Road (FR 90) past milepost 323. Continue 3.6 miles to Montezuma Road and the turnoff for Dairy Springs Campground, turn right and go 0.3 mile to the trailhead. Roads are paved and maintained dirt suitable for all vehicles.

Double Springs Campground: From Flagstaff, go 20 miles south on Lake Mary Road to Mormon Lake Road past milepost 323 on the right. Follow Mormon Lake Road 5 miles to the Double Springs Campground turnoff and continue 0.2 mile to the trailhead. Roads are paved and maintained dirt suitable for all vehicles.

Navajo Spring Trailhead: From Flagstaff, go 20 miles south on Lake Mary Road (FR 3) and turn right on Mormon Lake Road past milepost 323. Continue 7 miles to Mormon Lake Lodge. Park in the dirt lot behind the reservation office and horse corral. Hike begins at the Environmental Education Center across the road. Roads are 100% paved.

Gooseberry Springs Trailhead: From Flagstaff, go 32 miles south on Lake Mary Road to FR 92. This is past milepost 313 on the left and signed for Gooseberry Springs. Continue a short distance to the trailhead on the right. Roads are paved and maintained dirt suitable for all vehicles.

DETAILS

Read more of Mare Czinar's hikes at http://arizonahiking.blogspot.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Hiking the Arizona Trail near Flagstaff: Mormon Lake Passage 29