Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
San Francisco Peaks Inner Basin Day Hike

when	Trip Report : October 8, 2021
	Trip Report : October 6, 2019
	Trip Report : September 29, 2018
	Trip Report : September 30, 2017
	Trip Report : July 26, 2014
	Trip Report : July 6, 2013
	Trip Report : May 29, 2010
	Trip Report : September 20, 2008
where	Flagstaff
the hike	Starting at 8,565 feet from Lockett Meadow, the trail climbs gradually but steadily through thick forests of pine, fir, and aspen to the Inner Basin of the San Francisco Peaks. The Inner Basin is actually the inside of a collapsed volcano created from one of Mt. Humphrey’s past eruptions over a million years ago. The city of Flagstaff gets much of its water supply from the Inner Basin, and we will pass two large pump houses along the way that supply this water to the city.     At 1.5 miles we’ll reach a trail junction consisting of several service roads and a cluster of buildings. We’ll take the middle road at this junction and make a left turn shortly beyond. We then follow this road for another half mile into the Inner Basin. The basin is a wonderland of expansive meadows and wildflowers surrounded by dense forests of Douglas fir, blue spruce, and acres of aspen. The entire basin itself is then surrounded by the towering San Francisco Peaks of Humphreys, Agassiz, Fremont, and Doyle. We’ll plan on stopping here for lunch, photo opportunities, and exploring before returning to the trailhead on the same route.     Group A - will be fast and longer distance, I will ask someone to help to lead.     Group B - will be slow and shorter distance.     This hike is described in Flagstaff Hikes by Richard & Sherry Mangum, 6th edition, page 82.     This hike is described in Arizona’s Best Wildflower Hikes: The High Country by Christine Maxa, page 52. Required: •  Sturdy hiking boots •  At least 3 liters of water •  Rain poncho •  Hat, sunblock, sunglasses Recommended: •  Lunch or snacks •  Camera
distance	6 or 10 miles round trip
time	4-6 hours
EC	+-1500' elevation change
elevations	8,562' at the trailhead to 9,797' at the Inner Basin
starting at	Inner Basin Trailhead 35° 21.467' N,  111° 37.254' W  [NAD27]
on trail	100% — Inner Basin Trail #29
rating	"B" or "C"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs	no
weather	Flagstaff
cost	The club allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
meet in Phoenix	6:00 AM in the Fry’s parking lot on the SW corner of I-17 & Bell Road. Park behind Denny’s, near the entrance to the Deer Valley Park & Ride.
meet in Flagstaff	9:00 AM at the trailhead
drive	•  Take I-17 north to Flagstaff. • Pick up U.S. 89 in Flagstaff and drive north for 12 miles to Sunset Crater National Monument. Sunset Crater is on the east (right) side of the road. • Make a left turn just opposite of the monument onto Shultz Pass Road (FR 420). • Drive for a half-mile to a T-junction and make a right turn here to FR 552. Continue following the signs to Lockett Meadow. • At 3.0 miles turn right onto Lockett Meadow Road and the campground entrance. Park by the Lockett Meadow Campground restroom and walk just past the second parking area to the Inner Basin Trailhead. • FR 420 and 552 are both graded dirt roads, steep and narrow and badly rutted in places, but passable in passenger cars. High clearance is preferable.

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updated November 5, 2021	© Copyright 2021, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.