Mangum Dental January 2024 Hike of the Month Locket Meadow - Flagstaff, Az. by Jami Ogden
The road to Locket Meadow trail is usually closed from late Fall to early Spring. The Trail is generally only accessible from May- October. The best and most vibrant time to visit Locket Meadow is the first 3 weeks in October.
Distance: 3.4-mile loop Difficulty: Moderate Elevation gain: 839 feet Parking at the trailhead is free. Day-use areas in the campground are $8 per vehicle. Restrooms available Dog Friendly trail (On leash) Directions: From Flagstaff, head north on US 89 for about 12 miles. Look for the Sunset Crater turnoff on your right. Directly across from the Sunset Crater turnoff is FR 420, take a left onto this maintained dirt road.
Summary As the autumn season approaches, the magical transformation of nature takes place. The leaves of the trees begin to change into brilliant hues of orange, red, and yellow, and the air becomes cool and crisp. Locket Meadow Trail is a perfect way to experience the enchanting beauty of nature during this magical time of year. Walking through the trail is like stepping into a fairy tale. The crunching sound of the golden leaves beneath your feet, the scent of wood and earth, and the stunning colors of the trees create a truly enchanted atmosphere. The trail is the perfect place to witness the breathtaking beauty of the fall season that we normally don't get to see in other parts of Arizona.
Follow the dirt road up the hill, there are signs along the way creating a clear path to the trailhead parking. Be aware that the road is not maintained so high clearance is recommended. It is also narrow and there are no turnaround spots. Several blind corners with steep drop-offs come up along the road, so take your time and be cautious. You’ll climb a steep and narrow road for roughly about 3 miles. You always have the option to park at the bottom and hike up doubling your hike time.
Once you reach the top you'll see the road turns out into a very rudimentary overnight campground and day-use area. These spots can be reserved for a fee. You’ll also want to be aware that parking is limited to 100 vehicles at a time so plan accordingly with Friday-Sunday being the high season in October.
The dirt trail was well marked, you will have to hike through the burn area to get to the beauty of Locket Meadow. The South leg of the trail offers a smoother less challenging start, whereas the North Leg of the loop is quite rocky. You will encounter a couple switchbacks and inclines. All and all the the tranquil enchanting beauty of gold falling leaves against the baby blue sky is worth the challenges of this amazing hike!
