KNAU (Jan 7, 2025) by KNAU Staff The non-profit Flagstaff Biking Organization and the Coconino National Forest say a new recreational trail has connected one the city’s most popular parks with forested areas. The realignment of the Lower Oldham Trail is part of the Arizona National Scenic Trail that extends from Utah to Mexico. The gravel path links Buffalo Park to the Mount Elden-Dry Lake Hills trail systems north of Flagstaff, and replaced a less accessible route. Several local businesses donated to the $91,000 project to pay for contractors, and facilitate work by volunteers and federal trails crews. Flagstaff Biking Organization Board member Anthony Quintile says the work couldn’t have been done without the help of the community. “Flagstaff Biking has long relied upon local business support to help us in our mission to promote bicycling as a safe and attractive means of transportation and recreation in Northern Arizona. We’re happy to live in a place where recreation generally, and bicycling specifically, is so highly valued," Quintile says. To read the article online, click here.
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Location
- Fisher Point to Passage 34 Junction
Length
- 15.4 miles
Southern Access Point: Fisher Point
- GPS Coordinates: 35.15093° N, 111.59998° W
- NOTE: This trailhead is not directly accessible by vehicles. The nearest vehicle access point is on Babbitt Drive near the I-40 underpass at 35.188155° N, 111.631395° W.
Access
Fisher Point has no road access. The closest trail access is on Trail #106 from Canyon Vista Campground, 4 miles south of Flagstaff on FR3.
Northern Access Point: Schultz Pass
- GPS Coordinates: 35.27279° N, 111.65262° W
- NOTE: This trailhead is not directly accessible by vehicles. The nearest vehicle access point is on FR 420 (Schultz Pass Road) at 35.272490° N, 111.647840° W.
Access
To reach the starting point, drive on Interstate 17 (or I-40) to downtown Flagstaff, and drive north on Highway 180 (North Fort Valley Road). After you pass the Sechrist School on the right (east), continue 1.5 miles and then turn right (northeast) on Schultz Pass Road (FR 420). Follow this paved road 0.7 mile, turning left (north) at the fork in the road. Continue north for 3.9 miles to a small parking area on the right (south) side of Schultz Pass Road. The AZT can be found on the north side of Schultz Pass Road across from the parking area. Passage 33 crosses Schultz Pass Road at this location and connects to Passage 34 on the north side of Schultz Pass Road.
Trail Route Description
Passage 33 is an urban route across the center of the city of Flagstaff. This section begins at the bottom of Walnut Canyon near Fisher Point and uses a combination of dirt paths and asphalt to wind its way across the city and eventually to reconnect to the AZT’s Passage 32 north of Flagstaff.
The route follows several drainages, climbs over small ridges, and passes through an underpass at one of the city’s busiest intersections at Ponderosa Parkway (formerly Enterprise Road). The AZT climbs to McMillan Mesa on city streets and the Flagstaff Urban Trails System. This section provides easy access to restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, hotels, gear shops and more!
North of the city, the trail enters Buffalo Park and the Dry Lake Hills Trail System. It continues uphill to the national forest boundary and eventually reaches a junction that connects back to Passage 34.
Difficulty
- Moderate
Season(s)
- Spring, Summer and Fall
- Current weather forecast
Water
Water may be found year round at numerous businesses along the route in Flagstaff and at the Buffalo Park Trailhead. Check the online Arizona Trail Water Report for current information at https://aztrail.org/explore/water-sources/.
Notes/Warnings
- All the water found in creeks and springs on this passage should be purified prior to use.
Resources
- Map of Passage 33
- USGS Topographic Maps: Flagstaff East, Flagstaff West and Humphreys Peak.
- Coconino National Forest – Visitors Guide.
- Coconino National Forest – Recreational Opportunity Guide.
- Coconino National Forest map.
- BLM Information Center maps.
For more information
- The Passage Steward
- City of Flagstaff, 211 W. Aspen Ave., Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Â (928) 779-7632.
- Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff Ranger District, 5075 N. Hwy 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Â (928) 526-0866.
- BLM Information Center (602) 417-9300.
Current Passage Info
Camping Ban Near Flagstaff Impacts Passages 31, 32, 33, 34
September 5, 2023
The Coconino National Forest has expanded the boundaries of the existing year-round camping and campfire ban located adjacent to the City of Flagstaff in an attempt to lower the hazard from human-caused wildfires. A full map of the expanded camping and campfire ban, which went into effect May 1, 2023, is available on the Coconino National Forest’s website. This information is also on all Arizona Trail navigational resources, including the FarOut app, topo maps, passage maps, website, and other important resources so AZT users know where they can camp outside the restricted areas. For thru-hikers utilizing the Flagstaff Urban Route (Passage 33), the longest distance to cover is 13.5 miles – from Flagstaff to Snowbowl Road. Section hikers have much greater distances to cover to avoid the camping ban area, especially along Passages 32 and 34. In addition to addressing the immediate concern for future large human-caused wildfires, the expansion is part of a long-term risk reduction strategy focused on forest health and resiliency. The change was made in response to public feedback, with support from the Arizona Trail Association. If you're planning multi-day trips on the AZT near Flagstaff, please be aware of where you can and cannot camp.
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