Hike Dry Lake Hills Loop Coconino National Forest, AZ

Oct 03, 2024 — This quick outing uses trails most of the way to snag two ranked peaks outside of Flagstaff. The Dry Lake Hills are located southeast of Humphreys Peak, and while Elden Mountain is the tallest of them, these litte hills are more secluded and worth a visit. The area is popular with mountain bikers, and the winding trails are designed with this in mind.

I started at the Sunset Trailhead and hiked up the Sunset Trail. The lower sections had been recently rerouted, so the trail didn’t exactly match the map, but the junctions were all well-marked. The trail ascended steadily through a minor gully before ascending to a slope higher up, offering occasional views north toward the taller San Francisco Peaks. I took a spur along Full Sail Trail to reach the summit of Dry Lake Hills.

Next, I descended via the Brookbank Trail, which traversed a slope below the ridge, providing nice views across a valley toward Elden Mountain. The trail curved north and descended to a saddle. Here, I left the Brookbank Trail to climb up and over West Dry Lake Hills. The slope was steep and somewhat brushy, but the deadfall was manageable. If this peak doesn't interest you, just bypass it by following the trail system around its northern side. A broad summit boulder was the high point, and the views were partially obscured by dead trees still standing.

I dropped west off of West Dry Lake Hills and rejoined the Brookbank Trail at a switchback. I took a short detour along a spur trail to visit a small pond/reservoir in a wide meadow that doesn't seem to have a name. Continuing north, I followed the Swell Trail until I reached the brief Abalone Trail. Finally, I made my way back via the Broadside Trail. While there are several other loops in the area, this route seemed the most logical for reaching the summits.