SLATE MOUNTAIN TRAIL #128
SLATE MOUNTAIN
TRAIL #128
There are a
couple of curious things about Slate Mountain. First off, there�s no slate and
second, the mountain is much bigger than it appears.
Part laccolith (a
mushroom-shaped blob of magma that formed underground) and part volcano (you
know: BOOM), the 8215-foot mountain measures only 853 feet from its base to
summit, but geologists estimate that the lava dome that makes up the mountain
extends to 5000 feet below the surface.
So, all things considered, Slate
Mountain is a considerable beast. The complicated hill is composed mostly of a
pinkish-gray igneous rock called rhyolite which is exposed along its flanks.
The �slate� misnomer comes from the flaky appearance of some of the
sedimentary and igneous rocks that were contorted during the mountain�s
eruptive phase that occurred between 1.5 and 1.9 million years ago.
True slate
is a metamorphic stone not found in the area. The trail that climbs to the
summit of this unassuming little mound north of Flagstaff doles out gratifying
treats at a leisurely, constant pace. One of the first points of interest
visible from the trail is the scar from the June 2017 Boundary Fire that swept
up 10,418-foot Kendrick Peak. The lightning-caused blaze burned more than
17,000 acres, stopping just short of the Slate Mountain trailhead.
Near the top,
the trail makes a sharp swing around the high point for a 360-degree visual
smorgasbord. To the north, the San Francisco Volcanic Field rolls out over
colorful plains dotted with hundreds of cinder cones and eroding craters. This
arc of volcanism stretches from Williams to the area around Sunset Crater.
Geologist say this hot spot is still active and predict the next eruption will
occur near the Little Colorado River.
It could be
years, decades or centuries before the next magma breaks the surface, so until then,
the summit of Slate Mountain is a great place to contemplate the emergence of a
new volcano amidst the quiet beauty of the Painted Desert, the South Rim of the
Grand Canyon and the hazy silhouettes of the Hopi Buttes.
LENGTH: 5 miles
roundtrip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 7360�
� 8215�
GETTING THERE:
From Flagstaff
go 26 miles north on US 180 to Forest Road 191 located just past milepost 242.
Turn left and continue
1.9 miles to the signed junction for Slate Mountain, turn right and go 0.3 mile
to the trailhead. Forest Roads are rough dirt and gravel. High clearance vehicles recommended. Mat be impassable in wet conditions.
INFO & MAP:
TRAIL #128
 |
| View of San Francisco Volcanic Field from Slate Mountain |
There are a
couple of curious things about Slate Mountain. First off, there�s no slate and
second, the mountain is much bigger than it appears.
 |
| Stansbury cliff-rose shrubs grow to 8 feet high |
Part laccolith (a
mushroom-shaped blob of magma that formed underground) and part volcano (you
know: BOOM), the 8215-foot mountain measures only 853 feet from its base to
summit, but geologists estimate that the lava dome that makes up the mountain
extends to 5000 feet below the surface.
 |
| Cliff-rose scents the trail |
So, all things considered, Slate
Mountain is a considerable beast. The complicated hill is composed mostly of a
pinkish-gray igneous rock called rhyolite which is exposed along its flanks.
 |
| Heading up the trail |
 |
| Kendrick Peak |
The �slate� misnomer comes from the flaky appearance of some of the
sedimentary and igneous rocks that were contorted during the mountain�s
eruptive phase that occurred between 1.5 and 1.9 million years ago.
 |
| The "slate" is actually rhyolite |
True slate
is a metamorphic stone not found in the area. The trail that climbs to the
summit of this unassuming little mound north of Flagstaff doles out gratifying
treats at a leisurely, constant pace. One of the first points of interest
visible from the trail is the scar from the June 2017 Boundary Fire that swept
up 10,418-foot Kendrick Peak. The lightning-caused blaze burned more than
17,000 acres, stopping just short of the Slate Mountain trailhead.
Near the top,
the trail makes a sharp swing around the high point for a 360-degree visual
smorgasbord. To the north, the San Francisco Volcanic Field rolls out over
colorful plains dotted with hundreds of cinder cones and eroding craters. This
arc of volcanism stretches from Williams to the area around Sunset Crater.
Geologist say this hot spot is still active and predict the next eruption will
occur near the Little Colorado River.
It could be
years, decades or centuries before the next magma breaks the surface, so until then,
the summit of Slate Mountain is a great place to contemplate the emergence of a
new volcano amidst the quiet beauty of the Painted Desert, the South Rim of the
Grand Canyon and the hazy silhouettes of the Hopi Buttes.
LENGTH: 5 miles
roundtrip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 7360�
� 8215�
GETTING THERE:
From Flagstaff
go 26 miles north on US 180 to Forest Road 191 located just past milepost 242.
Turn left and continue
1.9 miles to the signed junction for Slate Mountain, turn right and go 0.3 mile
to the trailhead. Forest Roads are rough dirt and gravel. High clearance vehicles recommended. Mat be impassable in wet conditions.
INFO & MAP:
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