This is probably one of Flagstaff’s hidden hiking gems. I couldn’t believe how quiet and peaceful it felt on my 6+ mile trek this morning.
Included in this article : info and Video of Observatory Mesa Trail.
Table of Contents
Which Hiker Do I Write For
I tailor my hiking review’s to over 50 hikers. This is not to say the hike will be easy or short, older hikers are very capable, I’ve seen 70 year old hikers that can out hike most people. But what I am putting out there is special considerations for our older bodies.
You might notice I have a trail rating number listed below, please see my Hiker Resource Page to see how I come to this rating.
Basic Trail Information for Observatory Mesa Trail
- Trail Name: Observatory Mesa Trail
- Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
- Length: 6.4 miles
- Difficulty: Rated at 99 it’s considered moderate due to it’s length
- Duration: 3 hours
- Elevation Gain: 774
- Type of Trail: out and back
- Who I Recommend this to : all hikers, new and older hikers may want to take it slow
- What season did I go : summer
- Gear Recommendations: trekking poles for preserving your knees
- Special Requirements: none, parking can be a little crowded so get here early
My Experience on the Observatory Mesa Trail
I moved to Arizona in 2019 and I’m LOVING this state.
Arizona is not just deserts, heat and the Grand Canyon, like I thought it was going to be. This state is very geographically diverse. There are deserts, yes, yet also forests, mountains, rivers, and lakes.
For a hiker, Arizona is an outdoor wonderland!
I began to fall in love with Arizona’s outdoors when I began my thru-hike of the Arizona trail. I had to leave the trail due to Covid-19 yet found my way back to the AZT as well as to other trails and areas of this amazing state!
Read More About Flagstaff Hikes : Down Into the Mouth of the Cave : Full Time RV Traveler Braves the Dark
Urban Hiking at It’s Best in Flagstaff
In June 2020 I stayed in Flagstaff for a bit and found this peaceful urban hike.
Where the Observatory Mesa Trail starts it skirts a quaint, peaceful neighborhood dotted with baseball fields and a creek. At first, it was a bit odd walking in a public location and being able to see into people’s backyards – it’s hard to not stare into backyards when I see pretty gardens!
Eventually I became oblivious to individual homes and took in the trail itself.
Soon you’re leaving the houses behind, turning and heading up into a forested area. Ironically, this is where I see many more people. There are hikers, moms walking with strollers and dogs walking their humans.
The trail meanders up then down and up and down again, they are gradual but I definitely feel my legs putting in more effort. I love this type of hike since I can rest certain muscles on the downward slopes.
It’s June so it’s a bit warm and there are still wild flowers scattered about the landscape.
I’m enjoying this trail so much that I almost decided to lengthen it by hiking some of the offshoots on this trail yet I didn’t bring lunch and I knew my older feet may not like me doing that.
About 5.5 miles, almost completing my trek, I come across some people playing frisbee golf. I want to watch, I love watching sports, but it would seem odd considering I don’t know them.
As always I end at my car, take my shoes off, put flip-flops on and head out for a great sandwich (see where below) and sometimes a nap.
What To Do In the Area / After the Hike
- Grab some yummy eats at a local favorite : The Toasted Owl
- Visit the Lowell Observatory – Home of Pluto!
Helpful Resources for this Trail
Heading to Observatory Mesa Trail? Check out these helpful links:
- Observatory Mesa Trail in AllTrails
- Leave No Trace Info
- National Park Service : 7 Ways to Safely Watch Wildlife
Watch My Hike
Watch : Solo Day Hiking the Flagstaff Observatory Mesa Trail
Thank You for Stopping By!
I’m Allie. At 48 I set out solo to live in my RV. That journey is on hold but my passions for hiking and living well in my 50s still live on! Join me below for more inspiration and adventures. We’re older but even stronger!
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