Trail Mix

Fitness for Fun Hiking Group

Nourishing Our Spirit through Fellowship & Nature

Moonlight Hikes
North Mountain or Shaw Butte

Moonlight Hikes
North Mountain & Shaw Butte
Friday, Jun 25th, July 23rd, Aug 20th
Canceled for the Summer

Since the Phoenix Parks and Recreational Division has changed park closing times, the Friday Night Moonlight hikes have been canceled for the 3 Summer months. We will be resuming in September with the hike at North Mountain on September 24th at 6:30 PM.

NOTE: Within the early summer North Mountain now has the exit spiked grating in place for exiting after the park closes, therefore opening both of our usual Moonlight hiking locations for alternating months in the fall. BUT, the Parks and Recreations Dept is planning to begin charging $5.00 per vehicle to enter the park. A decision will be made whether to include North Mountain in the monthly cycle, or to just stay with Shaw Butte until an different alternative trail can be located.. Check the September Trail Mix for details.

Fitness for Fun Hikes this Month

Saturday Hike

Our Treat Is: If You Like Heights...and Clean Crisp Air, This One's for You.

Directions from the Church to: Kendrick Peaks Trailhead.
Take 101-West to I-7 North to connect with Route US 180 in downtown Flagstaff. [NOTE: We will be making a Pit Stop at the McDonald Restaurant in Camp Verde, Exit # 289] From downtown Flagstaff, travel North on US 180 for 17-miles to Forest Service Road 245 (at approx. Mile Marker 230) Turn west (LEFT) on FR-245 and go three miles to Forest Service Road 171. Turn Right on FR-171 for 2.5-miles, then Right again on FR-190, which take you directly to the trailhead.

At the Trailhead: Toilet – YES, Water - NO

Managing Agency: Kaibab National Forest (928) 635-2633 for trail condition information.

Trail Stats:

Length:	4.0-4.3 Miles (One Way, then Back same trail)
Type:	Out and Back Hike
Trailhead Elev:	7,980-feet
Top Elev:	10,418-feet (plus the fire tower if open)
Elev. Gain:	Approximately 2,438-feet (it's the 38 feet that get's you???)
Skill Level:	Moderate (trail condition) to Difficult (higher elevation)
Season:	May through October
Open for:	Hiking and Equestrian Only
Temperatures:	Average – Hi of 70 to 74, to Low of 50 degrees F
Hiking Time:	3.0 to 3.5-hours up and 2.0 to 2.5-hours down
Drive Time:	Approximately 3.0+hours (each way with pit stop(s)

Hiking Itinerary

This well-maintained trail climbs slowly but steadily up to the 10,418 foot summit
and has some of the finest views of northern Arizona. What contributes to the “Moderate to
Difficult” rating is the higher altitude (8000 plus feet) and the unending series of switchbacks. Vegetation along the way changes from Ponderosa Pines to lush, mixed forests of pines and conifers. One particularly nice stretch about two thirds of the way up passes through a glade of aspen trees. From here, you will see the San Francisco Peaks to the east.

At about 3.7 miles, just below the summit, the trail passes the old lookout cabin, built in 1912 and is still available for use by campers. From here, the final switchbacks take you to the summit and the current lookout station. If the forest ranger is present, there may be a chance to climb the lookout building. and get an even better view. Views include the Grand Canyon to the North, Mt. Humphreys to the east, and to the south, Oak Creek Canyon. Visibility on this hike can be between 80 and 100 miles on a clear day.

This hike can be appreciated by all level of hikers in that you don’t have to go all the way to the top to enjoy the beauty of the area. NOTE: A fire in the Spring of 2000 changed part of the mountain scene on a portion of the trail. The growth is coming back very well as some of you can contest to from our hiking the trail in 2003 and in 2007.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Come fully hydrated (drink lots of water for several days before the hike)
to avoid a headache and other symptoms of altitude sickness. Also, bring snacks and water (minimum of 2 quarts per person) for during the hike. We highly recommend sturdy hiking shoes/boots. Be prepared for some sunshine (many trees along this trail) but still bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, etc. This is truly a wonderful hike if you love cool forests and honor the intelligence of your own body when it say it is time to stop or turn around.

Come join us for a full day of travel and hiking. We should arrive at the trailhead around 10:45 +/- AM to begin the cool hike (bring a sweater) up the mountain. On the return trip, several of the group will probably stop in Flagstaff for a quick bite to eat prior to the return trip and arrive back in Phoenix around 8:00/9:00 PM.

Come join us for a full day of travel and hiking. We should arrive at the trailhead around 10:00/10:15 AM to begin the hike up the trail. On the return trip, several of the groups will probably stop in Flagstaff for a quick bite to eat prior to the return trip to arrive in Phoenix around 7:00/8:00 PM. Yes, it does make for a full day being in cooler country.

---

Saturdays - Hiking Group Photos

Fitness for Hiking Group
The website “Trail Mix” has been expanded to now include two or three photo's from some of the past 5 to 6 months hike. Enjoy by clicking on Hiking Group Photos above or clicking here. Share the pictures with your friends and make plans to join us on some of the upcoming hikes.

---

If you wish to be on the general "Fitness for Fun Hikes" Unity Trail Mix emailing list, and are presently not receiving this information, please let me know so that your address will be on our list for monthly Hiking News. Thanks for sharing this information with others.

*Don Clausing
(Unity Fitness for Fun Hiking Group)
602-866-0285 or email at: dclausing@unityphx.org

---

Natural Wonders Exploration

The “Fitness for Fun” Hiking Group is always open to suggestions in going to different places to explore, but it takes individuals who are willing to organize and lead these trips to make them possible. Pick one (of another favorites) that you would like to help organize and we will work to make it happen. Suggestions include Karchner Caverns, Chiricahua Mountains, Canyon De Chelly, Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs (Slot Canyons), Havasupai Indian Reservations, Grand Canyon-North Rim, or, for overnight camping outings. This is just part of a list of potential places to explore. What it takes is a group of willing people to do the planning.

---