Mars Hill Trail in Flagstaff

Mars Hill is a part of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System (FUTS), an ever-expanding network of over 30 trails presently totaling almost 60 miles. Over the years, I’ve hiked many of the trails, but none more often than Mars Hill. It’s located just outside of downtown, it’s beautiful, a great workout, and it always makes me feel like I’m in remote wilderness, owing to its peacefulness.

The trail, which takes 1.25 – 1.5 hours out & back, starts in a city park with a duck pond popular with fishermen, ball fields, and an enclosed dog park. Crossing the road, the trail is surrounded by Ponderosa Pines for the remaining 1.6 miles. There is a total of over 450 feet in elevation gain, and some of the trail is quite steep. According to the city’s FUTS website, 2900 feet of the trail has grades between 5 and 10%, 750 feet of the trail is graded between 10 and 15%, and 200 feet has between 15 and 19% grades. After the toughest sections, the trail continues in a gentler fashion, and lovely views of some of the area’s highest peaks can be seen, including the San Francisco Peaks and Mt. Elden.

Mars Hill trail is actually a road that was built in the late 1800s to incentivize Dr. Percival Lowell to have his observatory built in the area. The upper portion of the trail crosses part of Lowell Observatory’s Scientific Reserve.

There is always wildlife on the trail. A large population of ground squirrels with their enormous ears inhabit the area. Woodpeckers really enjoy the trees surrounding the trail, as well. I often hear them before I can spot them. I once noticed a fox about a hundred feet away. In the Spring, I have been witness to hawks warring over a nest and its apparently precious contents. And on several occasions, I have seen deer quietly observing the trail activity.

The forest around Mars Hill is heavily treed. In fact, the city’s Fire Department has been working for years to thin the trees in the area, due to its proximity to downtown and many neighborhoods. When I last hiked the trail, there were piles of branches in sight, and an orange sign had been set up, with the warning “prescribed burn ahead.” Lucky for me, there was no burning going on that day.

Mars Hill is a popular path for not only hikers, but also runners and cyclists. I’ve met several folks loaded up with backpacks going up and down the steepest parts in preparation for Rim-to-Rim (that is, a hike that starts at the south rim of the Grand Canyon and ends at the north rim (or vice versa), an arduous journey of over 20 miles including elevation changes of over 6000 feet.) I’ve also been told that Olympic runners train in this area due to the high elevation, and Mars Hill is a go-to trail. And I’m always amazed at the folks on unmotorized bicycles that make it up the hills without having to walk them up, like I have to do!

If you visit Northern Arizona, I encourage you to check out Mars Hill Trail. Its location, beauty, and potential for a great, relatively quick workout is hard to beat.

Elevated Blessings,

Lisa

The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.