KEY INFO
LOCATION I-40 to Schultz Pass
DISTANCE 14 miles one-way
DAY-TRIP OPTION See turnaround note in the trail description.
SHUTTLE RECOMMENDATION AZ 89 (passage mile 7.0)
DIFFICULTY Moderate
LAND MANAGER Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff Ranger District, www.fs.usda.gov/coconino, 928-527-3600
RECOMMENDED MONTHS April–October
GATEWAY COMMUNITY Flagstaff
GEOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS See “Elden Mountain: A Volcano Unlike the Others”.
The first half of this passage skirts the Turkey Hills and crosses the Rio de Flag near Elden Pueblo. The second half is part of the Elden Mountain Trail System and follows the base of Little Elden Mountain on its way up to Schultz Pass. This passage is known as the equestrian bypass because it is used by horseback riders to avoid traveling through the city of Flagstaff. If you’re in need of resupply or simply interested in seeing a little bit of Arizona’s most famous mountain town, you may wish to use the Flagstaff passage (33) instead. But if you’re more interested in maintaining the wilderness experience of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) than in playing around downtown Flagstaff, this is the passage for you.
Passage 32 begins near the Cosnino Road exit from I-40. From the trail underpass at the interstate, it is a short distance to the railroad tracks. Cross under the interstate and then make a sharp turn to the left (west). The route parallels the tracks and the interstate for several miles. Cross FR 510 at mile 3.3, and then the trail heads out into a large open area. Here, the passage offers nice views of Elden Mountain and the San Francisco Peaks. There are gates at miles 3.7 and 4.4. After crossing FR 510E, the trail contours around the side of Wildcat Hill and works its way up to the bridge over the Rio de Flag. Turn to the northwest, and gradually climb to US 89 at mile 7. Once under the highway, the trail turns right (north) and works its way over to the Sandy Seep Trail junction.
TURNAROUND NOTE: If you’re just out for the day and you haven’t arranged a car shuttle, either the crossing under AZ 89 or the Sandy Seep Trail junction makes a great place to turn around and reverse your route for a 14-mile outing.
Turn left onto the Sandy Seep Trail and follow it for 1.4 miles up to the Little Elden Trail. Turn right at the T-intersection and follow this trail as it climbs up and around Little Elden Mountain. A right turn at the junction at mile 13.9 puts you on Schultz Pass Road and the end of the passage.
The trail west of US 89 is part of the Dry Lake Hills–Elden Mountain Trail System, a popular system of trails for mountain biking in the Flagstaff area. The northern 6.5 miles of the trail climb gradually up to the mountain pass. For more information about mountain biking along the Arizona National Scenic Trail, visit aztrail.org.
Heading east from Flagstaff, turn right off I-40 at Cosnino Road (Exit 207) and take the next right onto the frontage road (Old Route 66). There is no official parking area; however, there is space to park along the frontage road.
The petroglyphs of Picture Canyon exemplify the rich cultural history of northern Arizona.
Take US 89 north from the Flagstaff Mall, then turn left to the trailhead just after the US 89 intersection with Townsend–Winona Road.
Take US 89 north of Flagstaff past the Silver Saddle Road stoplight. Turn left onto Elden Spring Road (FR 556), a gravel road, to the trailhead and horse camp.
From downtown Flagstaff, drive north on US 180 (North Fort Valley Road). After you pass the Sechrist School on your right, continue 1.5 miles and then turn right (north) where a sign indicates Schultz Pass Road (FR 420). Follow this paved road 0.7 mile through a right turn and a left turn. After the pavement ends, continue 4.5 miles to a parking area on the right (south) side of the road. Passage 32 connects to the Weatherford Trail and AZT Passage 34, on the north side of Schultz Pass Road just across from the parking lot.