Old Caves Crater

With the Phoenix summer in full swing and an open Saturday on the calendar, we headed north on I-17 to the high country of Flagstaff.  The forecast called for a high temperature of 85 degrees, nearly 25 degrees cooler than what was expected down in Phoenix.  This being our first trip ever to Flagstaff, we had the kids in tow so that they, too, could experience Flagtown.  And though I was tempted by those tall San Francisco peaks, I knew we had to play it safe and hike the comparatively mild Old Caves Crater.

Old Caves Crater rises in the distance

From the south trailhead off of Silver Saddle Road, it's 1.2 miles and a 430-foot climb to the summit.  Switchbacks made for a pretty easy stroll up the side of the crater.  This gentle grade did indeed assist with minimizing the exertion factor, but so did all of the pausing along the trail.  After six months in the desert, I couldn't stop taking pictures of trees. I would hike a little and stop for a picture.  Hike a little, take another picture.  And the higher we went, the prettier the scenery became, as more and more trees came into full view.

San Francisco Peaks

The summit trail splits at the top of the crater.  To the right are the small caves (ancestral puebloan cavates, according to the pamphlets available at the trailhead) for which the crater is named.  To the left is the summit, where we took a few minutes to watch the butterflies dance and flutter about.  Like the pine trees completely surrounding us, butterflies were something I wouldn't have given a second glance a year ago.  But now, coming out of the desert, everything old is new again.

Heading down the NW side of the crater

We made our way down from the summit and connected with the Crater Loop Trail on the north side of the cone.  We followed the loop trail, which circles the base of the crater, around on the east side and back south to the Old Caves Crater Trail.  From there, it is a short walk to the trailhead.  Total mileage for our hike, according to the pamphlet, was 3.6 miles.

This is a great family hike.  The trails are fairly wide and largely absent of any pesky rocks or roots.  Quiet, too - at least on this day.  We were here on a beautiful Saturday in June and saw only four other people on the trail, all in the same group.  When you do come, please be aware there are no facilities and no water at the trailhead.  Just bring yourself a bottled water or two and you will be all set to enjoy a peaceful - almost relaxing - hike in the northern Arizona woods.

Apache Plume on the summit of Old Caves Crater