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Hiking to Mount Elden in the Coconino National Forest

May 24, 2019 By Richard Oppelaar 5 Comments

Looking up towards the Elden Lookout Tower

Take a hike up Mount Elden and perch yourself atop Flagstaff. This route starts out on the Fatman’s Loop, then splits off to climb all the way to Elden Lookout standing at over 9,000 ft. From the top you are rewarded with sweeping views of O’Leary and the San Francisco Peaks.

Trail Details
Summit Elev.: 9,299′
Distance: 5.3 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,398′
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Spring, Summer, Fall

Getting to the Mount Elden Trailhead

From downtown Flagstaff, head east on Route 66. About 4 miles from the center of town, continue straight onto US 89. Go just another mile and make a left into the parking lot for the Fatman’s Loop and Mt. Elden Lookout Trail. There’s no sign for the turn, but it’s your first left turn after the McDonalds and Safeway.

The trailhead has a good size parking lot, but it can get crowded. There is no running water or toilet at the trailhead, so plan accordingly.

Trailhead for Mount Elden

Hiking Mount Elden with Fatman’s Loop

The trailhead is at the northwest corner of the parking lot. There is an information kiosk with a map of all the trails, some interesting history on the area, and a hiking register where it’s a good idea to sign in. The trail starts with an easy uphill grade, and after just a quarter mile you will get to your first intersection. Stay left, following the arrow for Elden Lookout. This gets you going clockwise on the Fatman’s Loop.

Junction to Mt Elden

In another quarter mile you reach your second intersection, this time with the Pipeline Trail. Go straight through this three-way intersection, continuing to follow the arrow for Elden Lookout.

Bear left toward Elden Lookout

This stretch of trail is where you’re reminded you aren’t quite out of the desert. There are yucca and prickly pear mixed in with the typical pine trees of Flagstaff. The path becomes a little steeper around the 0.5 mile mark, and at the 0.8 mile mark you come to your next intersection. This is the turnoff from the Fatman’s Loop onto the trail that takes you up to the top. Turn left here, and prepare for the real climbing to begin!

The trail to Mt Elden gets steeper here

The next half mile or so of trail makes six relatively long switchbacks, tightens up for a quicker back and forth, then stops messing about altogether and goes straight up the ridge. Fortunately this is also where the views begin to open up, so any huff-puff breaks are made exponentially more pleasant.

The views over Flagstaff are stunning

As you continue to climb the tighter switchbacks return, and around the 1.5 mile mark you encounter the steepest stretch of trail. After a quarter mile or so, the incline eases off a bit and the path traverses right until you gain a ridge around the 2 mile mark and at 8,700’ elevation. Just 600’ more to climb!

You can see the Elden Lookout from here

Continue following the trail as it switchbacks across the ridge, then traverses left to reach the saddle around the 2.3 mile mark. Here is where the trail intersects with the Sunset Trail, and climbs the final ridge to the peak.

Junction with the Sunset Trail

Turn left at the intersection and continue following the trail up the ridge to the Elden Lookout. Through here you can really appreciate how devastating the 1977 Radio Fire was to the area. But between all the old tree carcasses, the beautiful aspens are taking over.

There is quite a bit of antenna and tower action going on at the summit, but the views are still amazing! You have Flagstaff below you to the southwest, O’Leary Peak to the northeast, and the impressive San Francisco Peaks to the north!

Panoramic view on the ridge up to Mount Elden
Mount Elden Lookout
Looking down on Flagstaff from Mt Elden
Golden hour on Mount Elden
Mount Elden sunset

Once you’ve collected your spectacular photos in every direction, return down to the Fatman’s Loop intersection. Here you must decide if you’ve had enough for the day, or if you think you can handle a bonus half mile and some fresh scenery. To cut it slightly shorter, go right and follow the path you took up from the parking lot.

To make the hike a little longer, go left and continue following signs for the Fatman’s Loop until you return to where you joined the loop on your way up. Just after the trail for the KOA, you will turn left to get back to the parking lot.

Mount Elden Trail Map & Elevation Profile

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download

Mount Elden Resources

  • Forest Service page for the Elden Lookout Trail #4
  • Forest Service page for Fatman’s Loop Trail #25

Arizona Summer Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge

Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition

This hike is part of the Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Summer Edition. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the Flagstaff/Sedona area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.

Registration for the summer challenge runs between April 1 and September 15.  Be sure to check out the winter challenge, too!

Related

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: 3-6 miles, Arizona, Coconino National Forest, dog-friendly, Flagstaff, Mount Elden, out of bounds, peak, peakbagging, scenic, Six-Pack of Peaks, strenuous

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Richard O

About Richard Oppelaar

To me, hiking is a way to see the country in ways many people don’t. Road trips and collecting high points are my main motive. I grew up in New Jersey, discovered hiking while living in North Carolina, and have been based in Southern California since 2012. I love everything from hiking well maintained, popular trails in the Southwest to mountaineering less accessible peaks. My day job is teaching at a school where I’m lucky enough to have a small hiking club for students who I take on small excursions once a month.

Comments

  1. James Lantz says

    June 5, 2019 at 7:35 pm

    Looks like a beautiful hike. I’m not too familiar with the area but with the elevation do you have to worry about storms rolling in during the summer months?

    Reply
    • Richard Oppelaar says

      June 5, 2019 at 7:55 pm

      Yes, in summer you should watch the forecast and the sky, and start earlier so you’re down before the usual afternoon thunderstorm.

      Reply
      • James Lantz says

        June 15, 2019 at 11:31 am

        Ok, thanks!

        Reply
  2. Michelle says

    June 7, 2019 at 6:33 am

    Dates of hikes

    Reply
  3. Survival techie says

    May 17, 2020 at 9:49 am

    These trails look amazing and natural, this is something I can appreciate and hope to trek one day.

    Reply

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About Jeff Hester

I created SoCal Hiker while preparing to thru-hike the John Muir Trail. My goal? Create guides for the best hiking trails throughout Southern California--and occasionally beyond. I personally hike each trail to create these guides, sharing practical advice on gear and outdoor skills. Read more...

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