The Easy 2.7-Mile Aspen Nature Loop Trail Will Lead You Through The Arizona Forest
By Libby Monson|Published February 10, 2022
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Libby Monson
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Writer with a passion for the outdoors and discovering new places. Libby loves golfing, trying to figure out what's wrong with her houseplants, and letting her two adorable dogs outside a hundred times a day.
When you want to escape Arizona’s more well-known rugged deserts, this beautiful loop trail will take you through a picturesque forest full of dramatic views and cooler temperatures. Aspen Nature Loop Trail is 14 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona at the top of Snowbowl Road. With plenty of parking in the Snowbowl lower lot, this is an uncrowded family hike even on the weekends.
At an elevation of 8,600 feet, Aspen Nature Loop Trail is the perfect escape from the heat. This trail is best hiked from May to November. This trail is also popular with mountain bikers, runners, and can be used for horseback riding.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy stunning views of Mt. Humphreys, home of Arizona Snowbowl. Volcanic fields, meadows, and plenty of aspen and pine trees make the landscape of this hike varied and interesting. If the weather cooperates, you’ll even get a glimpse of the Grand Canyon.
Aspen Nature Loop Trail offers colorful wildflowers dotting rich green meadows in the spring. In the summer, you can expect cool shade and the gentle sound of aspen leaves rustling in the breeze.
Pack plenty of snacks and water for this hike, and plan to take a break if you start feeling the effects of the altitude. Even though this easy hike is mostly flat, Aspen Nature Loop Trail is 7,600 feet higher than Phoenix. If you aren’t used to the altitude, you can experience fatigue and loss of energy.
The whole family, including your four-legged friends, are welcome on this trail. This hike is rated as easy to moderate and should take you about an hour. Save a little trail mix for the last few hundred yards because that fun downhill at the beginning of the hike has to be climbed at the end of the hike
When you finish your forest adventure, Flagstaff is only a 30-minute drive and has lots of great dining options. Before you go, be sure to check out the Aspen Nature Loop Trail on the USDA Forest Service website to get the latest updates or new use restrictions.
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