Chilling Out in Flagstaff, AZ

This summer we decided to become Sunbirds, people escape the heat of the Phoenix Valley by going North. Read more

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May 19, 2019
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Day 1
Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 12:44 PM
⛅ 46 °F
Altitude: 6,926 ft
United States Riordan Mansion State Historic Park 35.1872, -111.659635°11’14” N 111°39’35” W
Cool Flagstaff
May 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 46 °F
We are spending the summer in cool Flagstaff Arizona. With an altitude of over 7000 ft. it is a very nice summer escape from the heat of the Phoenix valley. The San Francisco Peaks are even higher, and have snow on them all year. It is a beautiful backdrop for photos.Read more
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Day 6
Friday, May 24, 2019 at 12:44 PM
☀️ 79 °F
Altitude: 1,749 ft
United States Superstition Park East Number Two 33.418956, -111.5387533°25’8” N 111°32’19” W
Warming up in Apache Junction!
May 24, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
It was chilly this week, with high temps only in the 50s, and it snowed several times. We decided to spend our 4-day weekend back in Apache Junction to warm up. This May has been unusually mild for the Phoenix valley. The temperature has only reached 100 twice! It was great to use the pool and spa over the weekend. We are so glad that our Summer “Home” is only 2 ½ hours from our Winter Home this year. We saw some cactus flowers that we don't normally get to see, as we are never there this late in the season.Read more
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Day 10
Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at 12:44 PM
⛅ 54 °F
Altitude: 6,916 ft
United States Colony Mobile Estates 35.230398, -111.57902435°13’49” N 111°34’44” W
Volunteering for the National Forest
May 28, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F
Our friend Bruce has a 5th Wheel RV he wasn’t using, so we are living in it over the summer and doing needed repairs in exchange. We are volunteering for the US Forest Service in exchange for free camping. We work four half-days per week; Dean is in the shop making signs and doing repairs, and I am at the front desk interacting with visitors and helping wherever I can. There is so much to know about Coconino National Forest, that I probably won’t be able to answer all the questions by the end of the summer!

Here we are in Camp Elden, an area behind the Ranger Station, set aside for work-campers like us. Our location is perfect: on the edge of Flagstaff across Route 66 from a shopping center, yet set away from the highway so it is not noisy. Our summer home is on the left. It is very comfortable!Read more
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Day 13
Friday, May 31, 2019 at 1:57 PM
☀️ 68 °F
Altitude: 6,926 ft
United States Riordan Mansion State Historic Park 35.1872, -111.659635°11’14” N 111°39’35” W
1
Hiking in the Coconino National Forest
May 31, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
I am learning about the National Forest so I can give good information to our visitors. Our campground is very close to Mount Elden, which has a fire lookout on top. I found the way to the nearest trail at the base of Mount Elden, which took me a while the first two tries. Now I can make it in about 7-8 minutes, and then hike one direction or the other to explore. The base of the mountain has lots of huge boulders along the trail.Read more
Looks like a fabulous place for hiking! So glad to hear from you! Hope summer is going well. Sherri C
6/11/19Reply
Yes, we’re having a good experience here. Thanks for visiting our blog—it will be pretty low-key compared with last summer! Linda
6/11/19Reply
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Day 14
Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 9:00 AM
☀️ 59 °F
Altitude: 7,090 ft
United States Little Elden Spring 35.277219, -111.57445635°16’38” N 111°34’28” W
National Trails Day
June 1, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
Today we helped with National Trails Day. Volunteers came to help clear one of the trails. It was heartwarming to see about 100 people giving their time and energy to this project. Some came with organizations like hiking groups, mountain bikers, and businesses such as REI, while others came on their own.

I helped register people, and after they finished their work, we served them lunch.Read more
Very Nice
6/11/19Reply
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Day 26
Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 1:15 PM
☀️ 73 °F
Altitude: 8,786 ft
United States O'Leary Peak 35.401007, -111.52802735°24’4” N 111°31’41” W
O'Leary Lookout
June 13, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
Dean and Earl, his co-volunteer in the shop, had to make a trip to O'Leary Lookout for a job, and I got to go along for the view of the San Francisco Mountains. They are volcanic in origin as you can tell by their shape. The highest is Humphrey's Peak, at 12,633 feet.

The Lookout Tower is 8916 feet in elevation. I met Pam, the operator of the station, and saw how she lives and works. It is beautiful up there, but one has to be able to enjoy alone time!Read more
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Day 26
Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 2:15 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 8,786 ft
United States O'Leary Peak 35.401007, -111.52802735°24’4” N 111°31’41” W
Views From O'Leary Lookout
June 13, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Here is a wonderful view of Sunset Crater, which erupted in 1085 CE. The lava looks like it flowed just a few years ago!

And here are views of the road up to the lookout tower. It is 4.9 miles to the top, and a lot of people hike up. The road is not open to vehicles, just forest service trucks.Read more
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Day 34
Friday, June 21, 2019 at 8:15 PM
🌙 66 °F
Altitude: 6,670 ft
United States Cinder Lake 35.319732, -111.51710335°19’11” N 111°31’2” W
Cinder Lakes Crater Field
June 21, 2019 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 66 °F
This evening we went to a Ranger Talk about the Cinder Lakes Crater Field, a training area for the Apollo astronauts before they went to the moon for real. This year is the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing, and Flagstaff is celebrating its Lunar Legacy. In 1967 a replica of the lunar surface was created here because of the type of soil leftover from Sunset Crater's eruption. To create craters that the astronauts could practice on, explosives were used.

This picture shows a display of these activities in our Ranger Station.Read more
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Day 51
Monday, July 8, 2019 at 1:00 PM
☀️ 72 °F
Altitude: 6,890 ft
United States Colony Mobile Estates 35.228997, -111.58048835°13’44” N 111°34’50” W
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Hiking Fat Man's Loop
July 8, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Here is another nice hike that is nearby. It is called Fat Man's Loop because some people might have to squeeze through the rock formations.
I don’t think we could do that hike. Tougher than we are up to. Phillip and family have been in Minnesota since the third of July and leave for home on Sunday. Are having a busy summer our calendar is full for the next two months.
7/11/19Reply
Del & Nancy
7/11/19Reply
I would love to do that hike! Such beautiful scenery! Busy with family-Ian’s lacrosse game tonight. Maddie is taking driver’s ed. Have a good summer! SC 👍
7/11/19Reply
Traveler Wish you were here to hike with me, Sherri! LB
7/11/19Reply
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Day 56
Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 12:00 PM
☀️ 70 °F
Altitude: 9,377 ft
United States Alfa Fia Tank 35.330886, -111.710335°19’51” N 111°42’37” W
Summer Views at Arizona Snowbowl
July 13, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F
Today we rode the chairlift at AZ Snowbowl. We wore our uniforms so we could get a free ride--Forest Service people are welcome so we can become familiar with the area. The more we know, the better we are at helping people with information.

The ride is 30 minutes each way, and goes to 9,500 ft elevation and all the ski runs are black diamond up there. A flower, the San Francisco Groundsel, grows above the treeline, and nowhere else on earth. It won't be blooming for another 2 weeks.

The view is wonderful-we could see the rims of the Grand Canyon 60 miles away.Read more
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Day 57
Sunday, July 14, 2019 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 79 °F
Altitude: 6,677 ft
United States Wildcat Hill 35.230621, -111.54999835°13’50” N 111°32’60” W
Picture Canyon
July 14, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
The city of Flagstaff maintains this area of natural and cultural beauty. The Rio de Flag runs through the landscape and a short canyon. The “pictures” are pictographs pecked into the rocks by the Sinagua people between 700-1300 AD. A Sinagua pit house is also on the rim of the canyon. When it was used, it would have had a thatched roof of grasses.Read more
What great photos. Hope you are having good weather. We have had a lot of rain. Had high winds about a week and half ago blowing part of our roof off. Have a contractor to redue the roof. Just so we don’t get high winds and heavy rain before he can get it done. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
7/19/19Reply
Del & Nancy
7/19/19Reply
TravelerSo sorry to hear about your roof damage! So far our weather is great- we’ll see how the monsoons are pretty soon.
7/20/19Reply
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Day 57
Sunday, July 14, 2019 at 1:00 PM
☁️ 79 °F
Altitude: 6,677 ft
United States Wildcat Hill 35.230621, -111.54999835°13’50” N 111°32’60” W
More views in Picture Canyon
July 14, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F
In 1908-09 the Greenlaw Lumber Company harvested timber here using cross-cut saws. Ruins of an old railroad trestle and remains of railroad tracks are visible.

There are lots of birds and wildflowers to see too!Read more
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Day 62
Friday, July 19, 2019 at 12:08 PM
☀️ 79 °F
Altitude: 7,959 ft
United States Jacob Lake 36.713837, -112.21689836°42’50” N 112°13’1” W
Jacob Lake, AZ
July 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F
We wanted to see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, but it is 4 1/2 hours from Flagstaff--too far to go there and back in one day. So we stayed for a night at Jacob Lake Inn, 45 minutes from the North Rim. The resort was built in the early 1900s and definitely has a rustic feel. On the left is our duplex cabin, which has add-on showers. The Inn also has a motel and a dining room with good burgers.

The Inn was moved away from Jacob Lake because it was downhill from the road, and the Innkeepers noticed people wouldn't drive down the hill for fear of not being able to drive back up. The lake was named after Jacob Hamblin (a Mormon). There is also a historic ranger station at the lake.Read more
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Day 62
Friday, July 19, 2019 at 1:08 PM
⛅ 91 °F
Altitude: 5,758 ft
United States House Rock Canyon 36.728477, -112.06166636°43’43” N 112°3’42” W
Marble Canyon
July 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 91 °F
On the way to Jacob Lake, we drove over Navajo Bridge and passed by beautiful Marble Canyon and Vermilion Cliffs.
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Day 62
Friday, July 19, 2019 at 2:08 PM
⛅ 79 °F
Altitude: 8,232 ft
United States Bright Angel Point 36.197181, -112.0529636°11’50” N 112°3’11” W
Grand Canyon Lodge
July 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
The Grand Canyon Lodge is right on the North Rim. There are also cabins and a campground. Due to the smaller crowds, it is so much more relaxing than the South Rim. The North Rim only receives 10% of the visitors that the South Rim has.Read more
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Day 62
Friday, July 19, 2019 at 2:30 PM
⛅ 79 °F
Altitude: 8,232 ft
United States Bright Angel Point 36.197181, -112.0529636°11’50” N 112°3’11” W
Bright Angel Point
July 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
Along the North Rim are several trails where different views are available. Bright Angel Point is only about 1 mile round trip, and definitely worth it!
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Day 62
Friday, July 19, 2019 at 2:30 PM
⛅ 79 °F
Altitude: 7,516 ft
United States Cape Royal 36.117973, -111.94989336°7’5” N 111°56’60” W
Cape Royal
July 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
The winding, narrow road to Cape Royal is about 15 miles from the Lodge, but seems longer. This is the Southern-most viewpoint on the North Rim. The trail passes by Angel's Window, one of the most famous formations in the Grand Canyon. You can see the Colorado River through the window, from some vantage points.

The North Rim is 1000 ft higher than the South Rim, and because of that, it gets more rain and snow. Consequently, more erosion occurs, which over the centuries has created more side canyons and "islands" off the edge of the canyon walls.Read more
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Day 62
Friday, July 19, 2019 at 4:30 PM
☀️ 77 °F
Altitude: 8,809 ft
United States Point Imperial 36.27919, -111.98062636°16’45” N 111°58’50” W
Point Imperial
July 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Point Imperial is the highest point on the North Rim, at 8803 ft elevation. You can see how much lower the South Rim is here.
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Day 63
Saturday, July 20, 2019 at 11:00 AM
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: 5,932 ft
United States Kane County 37.404736, -111.68412837°24’17” N 111°41’3” W
Grand Staircase-Escalante
July 20, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
This National Monument in southern Utah is composed of "steps" of varied rock in different colors. From a distance, you can see the steps. Up close you only get to see one or two steps. The national monument is hard to access, on dirt roads and hiking trails.

At the visitor center was a wonderful display on the various dinosaurs of this area, many of which we'd never heard of. What elaborate head frills some of them had!Read more
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Day 76
Friday, August 2, 2019 at 12:03 PM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 7,703 ft
United States Little Elden Mountain 35.265918, -111.58892135°15’57” N 111°35’20” W
Coconino National Forest Views
August 2, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
Driving around the forest, we always see views of the San Francisco Peaks. This is a view when rain was falling nearby. It really shows the layers of the mountain range. The peaks were once a single volcanic mountain that was over 16,000 ft in elevation. It imploded like Mount St Helens did, leaving an inner crater surrounded by several peaks.

There are several "tanks" in the forest, made by ranchers for their cattle to drink from. They are great for wildlife too. We often see "intermittent" lakes around the forest as well. During the dry season they become meadows.

Some of the forest roads are not good for passenger cars. As volunteers, we can sometimes use a truck to explore the forest.Read more
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Day 77
Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 12:03 PM
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: 6,345 ft
United States Big Spring Canyon 35.125292, -112.00099635°7’31” N 112°0’4” W
Sycamore Canyon Wilderness
August 3, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Sycamore Canyon Wilderness is Southeast of Williams. The only way to go into the canyon is by hiking/backpacking, but we were able to drive on forest roads to several rim viewpoints. At one point along the rim is a dry waterfall, which flows during snowmelt and after the monsoon rains. During the dry times, people like to rock-climb here.Read more
Very beautiful area! You seem to find many interesting places to investigate! SC 😃
8/7/19Reply
TravelerThere is a lot to see and do!
8/7/19Reply
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Day 82
Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 11:00 AM
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: 5,305 ft
United States Doney Mountain 35.531874, -111.4045835°31’55” N 111°24’16” W
Doney Mountain Hike
August 8, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
Benjamin Doney was a pioneer, gold prospector, rancher, and in 1904 was the acting mayor of Flagstaff. This mountain (actually four cinder cones), was named after him because he prospected here. From the top, one can see great views of the San Francisco Peaks to the southwest, and the Painted Desert to the northwest.

There are also remnants of Sinagua shelters made of lava rocks, used to hold their agricultural tools between uses. Hard to believe they could grow crops so far from water sources!Read more
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Day 83
Friday, August 9, 2019 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: 10,620 ft
United States Kachina Peaks Wilderness 35.339453, -111.66238335°20’22” N 111°39’45” W
Kachina Trail in the Wilderness
August 9, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Kachina Trail traverses along the flank of Agassiz peak, the one where we had ridden the chairlift to the top a few weeks ago. This trail is in the Kachina Peaks Wilderness area, so there is no sound of motors and it's very peaceful.

In addition to the Ponderosa pines, there are lots of aspen groves, as well as meadows of waist-high ferns and wildflowers.

Along the trail are huge boulders that the trees are trying to push through or around!Read more
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Day 85
Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 1:34 PM
⛅ 77 °F
Altitude: 6,683 ft
United States Skunk Canyon 35.140437, -111.59986935°8’26” N 111°35’60” W
Sandy's Canyon Hike
August 11, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F
This hike has beautiful scenery and is only about 5 1/2 miles from Flagstaff. It starts out along the rim of Walnut Canyon, then shortly drops down Sandy's Canyon, the trail to the bottom of Walnut Canyon. It was pretty easy going down, but I wondered how long it would be to the bottom, knowing I'd have to climb back up at the end of the hike.

At the bottom of the canyon, it is so pretty with a trail down the middle between rock walls lined with trees and meadows. At the end of the trail it connects to the Arizona Trail, an 800+ mile trail that traverses the whole state from North to South. At the junction of the two trails was some amazing scenery, somewhat like the colors and texture of the Grand Canyon. Then I had to hike back out, but the uphill climb was only 8 minutes, so not bad.Read more
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Day 96
Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 10:00 AM
☀️ 75 °F
Altitude: 6,670 ft
United States Handcock Tank 35.008784, -111.86293735°0’32” N 111°51’47” W
Fernow Cabin: A Room With a View
August 22, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F
Rooms With a View is a National Forest program in which they rent out restored historic (often rustic) cabins. Dean and his co-worker, Earl, were building a storage shed for firewood at this one, and I was able to go along to explore the area. This used to be a guard station where fire crews would stay during the fire season. It sleeps 8 people, perfect for a family reunion! There is running water, which is pumped from a tank up on the hill. Propane is used for the refrigerator, stove, lighting, and water-heating. The cabin is tucked into a scenic draw. Although it is only 22 miles from Flagstaff, it takes about an hour to get there due to the gravel forest service roads.Read more
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