MOUNT ELDEN via UPPER OLDHAM TRAIL
Flagstaff
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| Heading out on the "catwalk" |
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| Final approach to Mount Elden |
There's more than one way to tackle Mount Elden. The most popular route begins off US89
in east Flagstaff and climbs 2300 feet in a short, steep 3 miles. This way is great for a thigh-burning
workout, but also earns a pox upon its ambience due to its proximity to two
major highways and views dominated by industrial complexes. However, the west side of the mountain
holds an alternative route that's less steep, better shaded and cloistered in
woodland vistas stretching all the way to Williams. Except for the occasional
car on adjacent FR557, there's nary a hint of civilization on the west route
until it crests on the Sunset trail.
Here, the hike lands on a scenic saddle overlooking the railways and
warehouses of east Flagstaff, then heads south up to Mount Elden. This short path is a beautiful trek
sandwiched between pine-fir forests on the right and steep drop offs on the
left. Soon after passing through a
dense stand of young aspens, the trail leaves the woods to teeter on a barren, knife-edge ridgeline
scarred by the 1977 Radio Fire.
Depending on your point of view, this open-to-the-sky, catwalk-like
segment is either profoundly gorgeous or viscerally depressing. Fire damage
notwithstanding, the terrain is very interesting---massive lava boulders,
juvenile aspens and blooming shrubs lend an air of resurgence to the otherwise
bald tread. Charred
snags bleached grey by years of harsh weather coat the slopes like toppled matchsticks
and a few remaining upright torched trunks stand sentry above a volcano-studded
landscape. Sunset Crater,
Strawberry Crater, O'Leary Peak and the Bonito Lava flow are all visible from
the exposed path that feels as if the patches of clumpy grasses and wild roses growing on its margins serve as the glue that keeps it from slumping into oblivion. Also, the damage
done by the June 2010 Schultz Fire is visible to the north. After passing the wildfire vistas, the catwalk meets FR577 for the final
slog to the microwave-and-cellular-tower-cluttered summit with a fire lookout and
360-degree views.
HIKE DIRECTIONS FOR WEST APPROACH AS DESCRIBED HERE:
From the Lower Oldham-Rocky Ridge trailhead, hike 0.2 mile
north to the turn off for the Brookbank trail. Veer right here on an unsigned path and hike 0.5 mile to the
Upper Oldham trail junction.
Follow Upper Oldham 1.5 miles, cross FR557, and pick up Sunset
trail. At the sign for
Sunset-Schultz Tank-Elden, go right and hike 1 mile to the summit of Elden
Mountain.
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| View from Upper Oldham Trail |
LENGTH: 6.4 miles roundtrip
ELEVATION: 7,380'- 9,300'
RATING: moderate
BEST SEASON: April - October
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 147 miles one way
GETTING THERE:
West approach trailhead:
From Flagstaff, travel north on US180 to Shultz Pass Road
(FR420) at milepost 218.6.
Turn right and go 0.5 mile, veer right onto Elden Lookout
Road (FR557) and continue roughly 2.5 miles to the signed Lower Oldham-Rocky
Ridge trailhead on the right. FR557 is maintained dirt, passable by sedan.
NOTE: to shorten the hike, drive another mile up FR557 to the Upper Oldham
trailhead where there's parking on the left across the road from the trail
sign.
East approach trailhead:
From Flagstaff, travel east on US89 to just past the
Flagstaff Mall at milepost 419.5. Turn at the Mt. Elden Trailhead sign.
INFO: Flagstaff Ranger District, Coconino National Forest,
928-526-0866
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