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Loop-de-loop south of the peaks

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There are so many options for loops just south of the peaks that I thought I'd put them all down at once. There are spectacular views of the peaks and the surrounding forest on each of these routes and the routes are good all around from wildflower season to the season of the snow. My personal favorite is noted in the "day note," but your personal favorite may be one of the others. Also, while I prefer to walk, you might prefer to ride on wheels (an advanced single-track ride) or hooves. Choose your path, choose your transportation, and remember water and snacks! Also, unlike me, remember a camera so that you can upload a picture for one of these loops:)

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Author: Jennifer

Day 1 - Flagstaff

There are many ways to loop around the dry lakes, (my favorite spot in Flagstaff!). One that I just did yesterday was a loop that started at the junction of Elden Lookout road and Brookbank trail. I drove up Elden Lookout road about 3 miles past the point at which it turns into a dirt road and found a place to park. Brookbank begins on the left and shoots up for 1 mile to the dry lake meadow. After stopping at the corral up there for the dogs to have a swim, we continued northwest on Little Gnarly until we hit Schultz Creek trail. We walked east to Schultz tank which was wide and deep enough for us to take a swim in! While we dried off, we snacked, and then headed up Sunset trail back to Brookbank, around the unnamed peak and then down Brookbank to the car. The entire route was about 8.2 miles. The other trails listed in this trip leave you other options for your loop. You could do Rocky-Ridge-Brookbank-Little Gnarly-Schultz Creek; Brookbank-Little Gnarly-Schultz Creek-Little Elden-Little Bear-Brookbank (a LONG one); or Brookbank-Sunset-Upper Oldham. These are the most obvious, but find what works best for you. I recommend buying a Flagstaff trail map at one of the outdoor stores when you hit town. It has all of the topography on it too. Have fun!

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