Abineau/Bear Jaw Trails, #127/#26

From the Abineau and Bear Jaw trails, on the north slope of the San Francisco Peaks, you can see all the way to the Grand Canyon ninety miles away. These two trails provide a scenic loop hike through forested canyons. Both lead to an old road that runs along the base of a long talus slope topped by Arizona's highest point, the summit of Humphreys Peak. The climb along either trail is steep and steady through stands of mixed conifer and aspens. The road completes the loop by providing a connecting route from the top of one trail to the top of the other. From this high perspective the Grand Canyon appears as a wide gap in a broad plateau that stretches from the foot of the mountain to the horizon.

This route passes through an area that is colorful at all seasons of the year. In late Spring, alpine wildflowers such as lupine, rocky mountain iris, penstemon and paintbrush color the trailside meadows. Sunflowers add a slash of yellow in Summer and groves of aspen paint the slopes with crimson and gold during the Fall.

There is a chance to see a black bear here-perhaps the best chance you'll have in the area around the Peaks. Seeing sign of these big shy animals along either trail is not uncommon. Mule deer and elk are also plentiful. Common birds are juncos, Steller's jays and Clark's nutcrackers. In Spring and early Summer the forest's best singer, the hermit thrush, will serenade you along your way.

Early in 2005, an avalanche did extensive damage to these trails. Portions were closed for some time, although they are all open now. Evidence of the avalanche is still visible today. Please click on the photos at the right for a larger view.

View Slide Show "Hiking the Kachina Peaks Wilderness Trails" [483kb .pdf file] Use up and down arrows for navigation.

Length: 6.0 mile loop

Rating: Strenuous

Use: Light

Season: May to November

Notes:

• No mechanized or motorized vehicles, including bicycles, in Wilderness.
• No access to Humphrey's summit from this trail.

Elevation: 8500' to 10,400'

USGS Maps: White Horse Hills, Humphreys Peak Quad

Hiking Time: 4.5 hours (round trip)

Location: 21 miles north of Flagstaff on paved and graveled Forest Roads.

GPS:N35° 23' 8.9874", W-111° 40' 28.9914"

Access: Drive northeast of Flagstaff on US 89 for 12 miles to FR 420 directly across from the Sunset Crater turnoff. Turn left (west) for about 1/2 mile, turn right (north) on Forest Road 552. Turn right at Forest Road 418 and go approximately 7 miles to Forest Road 9123J. Turn left (south) on Forest Road 9123J for 1.2 miles to the trailhead.

For more information contact:
Peaks Ranger Station, 5075 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004, (928) 526-0866