KEY INFO
LOCATION Fisher Point to Schultz Pass
DISTANCE 15.5 miles one-way
DAY-TRIP OPTION Not applicable
SHUTTLE RECOMMENDATION Buffalo Park (passage mile 7.2)
DIFFICULTY Moderate
LAND MANAGERS Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff Ranger District, www.fs.usda.gov/coconino, 928-527-3600; City of Flagstaff, flagstaff.az.gov, 928-213-2192
RECOMMENDED MONTHS April–October
GATEWAY COMMUNITY See Flagstaff.
GEOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS Not applicable
An urban route, Passage 33 takes you across the center of the city of Flagstaff, which offers diverse experiences from beginning to end. Long-distance-trail users can use this opportunity to resupply and revitalize in Arizona’s most exciting mountain town. Great food, live entertainment, outdoor-gear suppliers, microbrews, a massage service, and much more can be found in downtown Flagstaff. The total mileage of the Arizona National Scenic Trail (AZT) does not include this route.
Sunset over Schultz Pass Tank, near the convergence of Passages 32, 33, and 34
The passage starts along the Fisher Point area trail system, passes through an underpass at one of the city’s busiest intersections at Ponderosa Parkway (formerly Enterprise Road), and then climbs to McMillan Mesa on city streets and the Flagstaff Urban Trails System. Then the trail passes through beautiful Buffalo Park and enters the Dry Lake Hills trail system.
Passage 33 begins at a fork of Passage 31 about 0.5 mile southwest of Fisher Point. Passage 31 heads east towards Fisher Point, and Passage 33 heads north into Flagstaff. At 1 mile up the hill, turn right at the fence walk-through and continue north for 1.8 miles. Take the left fork at each of the next two major trail junctions. The trail drops down a steep hill and leads to an effluent pond just below I-40—don’t even think about dipping your water bottles here.
From the bottom of the hill, follow the route around the east side of the pond, pass under I-40, and take the road to the right. You end up at the intersection of South Babbitt Drive and East Butler Avenue, between an Ace Hardware store and a Taco Bell. Additional chain restaurants and motels lie a short distance east at the I-40 and Ponderosa Parkway (formerly called Enterprise) interchange.
Turn right at East Butler Avenue and take the underpass at Ponderosa Parkway, north, to Route 66. Turn left at Route 66, then right onto Switzer Canyon Road. Turn right onto Turquoise Drive, which quickly bends to the north. Continue north on Turquoise Drive and look for the YMCA Family Center on the west side of the street, which is open to visiting members for showers. Continue north and cross Forest Avenue to the urban trail on the northeast corner, which leads you up the hill to Buffalo Park.
Flagstaff was the home of AZT founder Dale Shewalter, who in the 1970s envisioned a continuous path across Arizona and who launched the efforts leading to the 800-plus miles described in this guidebook. Buffalo Park is home to a commemorative sign and a memorial bench that honor the Shewalter Family. Trail users—especially those who’ve traveled 570-plus miles from the Mexican border—may wish to reflect a moment on the incredible contribution of this former schoolteacher. From the Buffalo Park parking lot, continue a short distance east around the large green water tank. Turn left on the McMillan Mesa Trail, which is a short loop off and back onto the AZT. The commemorative sign is on the right; Dale Shewalter passed away January 10, 2010, shortly before the AZT was completed.
From the Buffalo Park entrance, take the trail north to the national-forest boundary where it heads northwest around the foot of Elden Mountain and the Dry Lake Hills, escarpments that form the elevated horizon to the north and east. This is the Oldham Trail, which links with the Rocky Ridge Trail east of the Elden Lookout Road. Turn left on the Rocky Ridge Trail and begin a wide, climbing turn toward the Schultz Pass Trail-head. In 2.1 miles, at the Schultz Creek Trailhead, turn right onto the Schultz Creek Trail and continue northeast along the drainage approximately 3.9 miles, climbing toward the connector trail where Passage 33 crosses Schultz Pass Road and meets Passage 34.
The portions of this route south and north of the city are some of the most popular mountain biking trails in town for commuters and recreational riders alike. The hills and elevation make these challenging for novice riders and out-of-towners. For more information about mountain biking along the Arizona National Scenic Trail, visit aztrail.org.
Fisher Point has no road access. The closest trail access is on Trail 106 from Canyon Vista Campground, 4 miles south of Flagstaff on Forest Highway 3.
From downtown Flagstaff, head north on North Fort Valley Road (US 180) to Forest Avenue. Turn right (east) on Forest Avenue and drive 1 mile to Gemini Drive. Turn left (north) on Gemini, which leads directly to Buffalo Park.
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 about 3.9 miles to a small parking area on the left side of Schultz Pass Road. Passage 33, crosses Schultz Pass Road at this location and connects to Passage 34 on the north side of Schultz Pass Road.