EXPLORE NORTHERN ARIZONA
with UNITED COUNTRY
United Country Northern AZ Realty

Welcome! Whether you are a potential buyer visiting Northern Arizona or a local who enjoys exploring the back roads and lesser-known trails, this page is for you. Here you can find out where the locals go, not just the tourists. You might also want to check out 99 THINGS TO DO IN NORTHERN ARIZONA which is printed by the Daily Sun and found at the Chamber of Commerce.

About Flagstaff Arizona

New Year's Eve Pine Cone Drop

New Year's Day Polar Plunge

Winter Hiking and Biking in Sedona

Free Kiddie Sled Hill at Fort Tuthill Fairgrounds

Hiking Red Mountain


CINDER CONES:  We are always surprised when people ask, "What is a Cinder Cone?" There are so many of these mini vocanoes around here, and they are fun to hike, despite the deep and slippery cinders! You never know what you might find on top... indian ruins, a large crater, a lake?  For maps and directions to many, Contact Sunset Crater National Monument. Our favorites are Strawberry Crater (Indian ruins at the very top that no one knows about, and to the east also) and SP Crater which is completely in-tact and quite deep, and has tropical-looking lizards! The map will also show where ATV's and Four Wheel Drives are allowed. 

       

INDIAN RUINS: You don't have to pay to see indian ruins..... These may not be as spectacular as Mesa Verde or Montezuma's Castle, but just finding something on your own is rewarding. Basically, if you see a nice knoll with a good view, there's probably a small ruin on top. If you happen to be hiking Fat Man's Loop, look for knolls 1/2-1 mile north of the loop. Also, small hills around Doney Park have pottery laying around. Old Caves Crater has a nice trail all the way up. Off Highway 89 north of the Mall, turn right on Silver Saddle Road. A parking area will be on your left. Once at the top, explore the south side to find the caves. Don't take any pottery!

FOR AWESOME RUINS.... and a 60 mile scenic loop, visit Waputki National Monument.  We recommend driving the whole loop that ends at Sunset Crater Monument to get back to Flagstaff, especially if you happen to be on a motorcycle!  Take the side roads to see ruins, or you might drive all that way and miss them!

   

ELDEN'S CABIN SITE: A very short hike... find out how Mt. Elden got it's name. To find trailhead, go up Fanning, to Matterhorn to the culdesac Lugano. The trail immediately splits; stay to the right, cross the pipeline, and be looking for a historical marker sign at the cabin site. To find the spring, find the lowest area at the base of the mountain, directly behind the cabin site. Go west from the cabin site to find John Elden's grave by an Alligator Juniper tree. Keep traveling west 1/2 mile on main trail to find a huge, ancient Juniper that kids can't resist climbing.

ROCK-CLIMBING WALLS:   "The Pit" is highly recommended.  Also West Elden, just outside of town, has beginner to advanced climbs. Get Directions to West Elden and other sites here.

BIKING/HIKING/NORDIC SKIING:  It's not hard to find a trail in Flagstaff, but one of the most popular is Shultz Creek Trail, which is great for hikers, bikers and skiers.  Off of Shultz Pass Rd, if you go to the end of Elden Lookout Rd, there are many trails as well.  Just look for a small trail near the mailboxes, and it will lead to other trails, which are rolling and fun for skiing or biking.  Lost?  A major trail crosses Elden Lookout 1/2 a mile after it turns to dirt.  Left to Rocky Ridge and right will eventually take you to the Oldham Trail.  The Hiking possibilities are endless really.  For groomed nordic trails, check out the Flagstaff Nordic Center.

FREE SLEDDING: On South Snowbowl Road.  Take highway 180 toward the Snowbowl ski area.  When you get to Snowbowl Road, turn left, and go until the road takes a sharp turn.  There is a trailhead there.  Walk straight up the trail to a small but fun hill, or walk further for a big, big hill.  (A little further down highway 180, you will see the official Snowplay Area.) 

AIRPLANE WRECKAGE:  How would you like to see a B24 Crash Site near the top of Humphrey's Peak?  If you have a GPS, We can email you the coordinates and the directions to get there. 

             

LAVA RIVER CAVE:  Wow... it's really dark in there and you go almost a mile underground... so please bring extra flashlights!  This thing is huge, and very cold.  Sometimes known as the Lava Tube.

CANYON DE CHELLY: In Eastern Arizona near New Mexico, on the Navajo reservation, don't miss Canyon de Chelly (Canyon "de Shey"). You can simply drive to the scenic overlooks, which we personally think are as spectacular as the grand Canyon, especially in the fall when the leaves turn yellow and the grass in the valley bottom is green.  You can also see the visitor's center to learn about the early inhabitants, and hike on an amazing narrow trail, through a tunnel, down to Whitehouse Ruins.  Jeep and horseback tours, and camping are also available.  While in the area, you might want to tour the nearby Hopi Mesas, the longest continuously inhabited villages in the United States!  But don't take pictures of the Hopi's or their gravesites!

  


  

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Danny Rhoton, Designated Broker
Julie Rhoton, Associate Broker
United Country Northern AZ Realty
UCNAZ.realtor@gmail.com
JulieRhoton@gmail.com
Dan's cell:  928-853-0814
Julie's cell:  928-607-4325

 

 

Looking for a home off the beaten path?  "No one knows the Country like we do!"