2014-09-23: Dax (our Australian Shepherd) and I took advantage of the perfect fall weather to hike around Flagstaff’s Dry Lake hills. Starting from the Sunset Trailhead, we took the two-track heading southerly out of the parking area, and followed the track up to the tank at the top of the Dry Lake Hills.
The two track keeps heading southwest through the meadows. We headed southeast on the foot trail just past the tank, which crosses the meadow and drops down off the hill into the forest.
The trail quickly meets up with Brookbank Trail. There is a trail sign at the junction that points up the trail we came down as the way to “Schultz Loop.” We headed left on Brookbank, heading for Sunset Trail.
For some odd reason, I’d never hiked this section of Brookbank. It’s a beautiful trail that gradually climbs before dropping down to Sunset. The trail skirts along the side of the hills through thick forest, offering lovely views of the San Franscisco Peaks through the trees.
We hung a left on Sunset, enjoying the view of aspens changing on Mt. Elden from the top of the hill. We stopped for lunch on a boulder, then continued down Sunset to the trailhead.
Resources
- Sunset Trail #23 (Coconino NF)
- Brookbank Trail #2 (Coconino NF)
- Dry Lake Hills (Arizona Hiking)