| when | September 28, 2024 |
| where | Mormon Lake |
| the hike |
The hike offers a dramatic tour of the high-country woodlands of the Coconino National Forest.
This hike will take us along the old Lake Mary frontage road, better known as Berry Road,
which was built with red lava rock interspersed with road building materials used in the 1920’s
and the 1940’s. The hike begins at a gate where the old road has been closed to motorized use.
The hike offers views of Mormon Lake, Arizona’s largest natural lake fed mostly by snowmelt.
This old crumbling byway contains a bounty of fruit-bearing native plants (the Arizona walnut,
Utah service berry, wax currants, blue berry elders) that attracts an abundance of wildlife. If you
walk quietly and gaze over the lake you are likely to see waterfowl (egrets, herons, ducks) in
addition other birds such as hawks, turkey vultures, ravens, swallows and other avians looking
for an opportunistic meal. Dens of the Kit Fox could be viewed at the bottom of the cliff-tops
composed of basalt evidenced of volcanos long passed. Between shady strands of ponderosa
pine, Gambel oaks, junipers, cottonwoods and aspens a view of Mormon Mountain which rises
to 8,456 ft. above the lake’s western shore can be spotted along the horizon. The San Francisco
Peaks appear as a hazy silhouette. We will turn around at the 4-mile point and head back in the
same direction. Be sure to bring a small set of binoculars. This hike is written up in Mare Czinar’s book The Hike Book in conjunction with Phoenix Magazine on page 155. Pace: Moderate pace. This hike is fairly level, but solid hiking boots are highly recommended in addition to layered clothing, a broad brimmed hat (little shade is available), binoculars and rain gear. Bathrooms are not available in the very small parking area. |
| distance | 6 - 10 miles |
| time | 4 - 6 hours |
| EC | +/- 200' elevation change |
| elevations | 7,100' to 7,140' |
| type | Out and back |
| on trail | 100% — Berry Road |
| rating | "C to B" Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| dogs allowed | no |
| cost | The club allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member. |
| weather | Happy Jack |
| leader | Email the leader to confirm. |
| meet in Phoenix |
7:15 AM in the McDonald’s carefree off I -17 at 3140 W Carefree Hwy, Phoenix, AZ 85086. | drive |
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| updated August 22, 2024 | © Copyright 2024, Arizona Trailblazers. All rights reserved. |