Autumn Comes Early on Flagstaff's Abineau-Bear Jaw Loop
ABINEAU-BEAR JAW
LOOP
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| Aspens line Waterline Road on Abineau-Bear Jaw Loop. |
With fall foliage
season right around the corner, I�m already feeling the tug of the Abineau-Bear
Jaw Trail. Its location high on the
north flanks of Flagstaff�s San Francisco Mountain means it�s one of the first
places to show Autumn color. Anxious
hikers who can manage the rugged, 1,870-foot, thin-air climb in the Kachina
Peaks Wilderness can get a jump start on aspen overload.
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| San Francisco Peaks seen from Abineau Canyon. |
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| Aspens abound on the Abineau-Bear Jaw Loop |
A short access
path leads to a junction where the loop begins. You can go either way, but using
the Abineau Canyon leg for the uphill climb affords the best views of the peaks
without having to stop and turn around all the time.
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| Aspen color peaks early in Abineau Canyon |
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| Abineau Canyon's deep woods. |
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| View from the top of Abineau Canyon. |
Damp and chilly,
the moss-laced mixed conifer woodlands of Abineau Canyon is reminiscent of the
alpine forests of Colorado�dense and claustrophobic in its immensity. Canyon
winds rattle leaves from the aspens that sway among the dominant Ponderosa and
limber pines, corkbark fir, spruce and Douglas firs creating golden cascades
and crunchy drifts of spent foliage.
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| Aspen leaves collect on conifers. |
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| Colorful Bear Jaw Canyon. |
The 2-mile Abineau
segment tops out on an exposed ridge beneath 12,633-foot Humphreys Peak, which
is often snow-capped by early October.
Below, the cinder-cone dotted flatlands of the San Francisco Volcanic
Field and the pastel wilds of the Painted Desert stretch out to the horizon.
Next, you�ll catch a breather on the 2.1-mile walk along Waterline Road. Wrapped in towering aspens, the wide dirt
route and its easy tread is a real treat to hike. Without having to
huff-an-puff, it�s easier to enjoy the surreal beauty of the white-barked
forest, lemony canopies and mountain vistas. This is also prime habitat for blue
grouse and the vociferous Clark's nutcracker. If you�re lucky, you might spot
them swooping among the trees. Keep an eye out for a wooden sign for Bear Jaw Canyon
on the left. This easy-to-miss turn off marks the start of the loop�s 2.3-mile
descent. A bit more open and less steep
than Abineau, this twisting downhill passage is an enchanting trip through a
ravine-riddled gorge. Near the bottom of the trail, sweet meadows harbor acres
of fading ferns and the frazzled remains of summer wildflowers. This is a hike I do almost every year and it
never gets old.
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| Meadow near the trailhead. |
LENGTH: 7.2-mile
loop
RATING:
difficult
ELEVATION: 8,530-10,400
feet
BEST TIME FOR
FAL COLOR: Late September-Early October
GETTING THERE:
From Flagstaff, go north on US180 (Fort Valley Rd.) to
milepost 235.2 and turn right onto Forest Road 151 (Hart Prairie Road, north
access). Continue 1.6 miles on FR 151 and connect to Forest Road 418. Drive 3.1
miles on FR418 to Forest Road 9123J (signed for Abineau-Bear Jaw), turn right
and go 0.6 mile to the trailhead. Dirt/cinder roads are rutted but passable by
carefully driven sedans.
FLAGSTAFF FALL FOLIAGE UPDATES:
https://www.flagstaffarizona.org/leafometer/
INFO:
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