This short, self-guided nature trail is most popular with campers at Dairy Springs Campground. The trail winds through a forest of ponderosa pines interspersed with white firs and junipers that spreads across the lower slopes of 8,449 foot Mormon Mountain. Interpretive stations along the route enable hikers equipped with trail guides to learn more about the complex ecosystem that makes up the northern Arizona forest. They'll help you learn the names of all those trees, too. Trail guides are available, in season, from the campground host.
Dairy Springs Nature Trail is actually a spur off the longer Mormon Mountain Trail which leads to the top of the smallest of the major volcanoes in the San Francisco Peaks volcanic area.
General Information
Directions:
USGS Map: Mormon Lake
Location: About 24 miles (45 minutes) southeast of Flagstaff, just west of Mormon Lake.
Rating: Very Easy
Hiking Time: 15 minutes
Note: No motor vehicles
Usage: Medium
Best Season: April to November
USGS Maps: Mormon Lake
Area/Length: 0.5 Miles
Latitude: 34.955631
Longitude: -111.489155
Elevation: 7237 at trailhead
Access: Drive south 20 miles from Flagstaff on Forest Highway 3 (Lake Mary Road) to the Forest Road 90 intersection. Turn west on FR 90 and drive 3.5 miles to the Montezuma Lodge turnoff. Drive 0.6 miles to the trailhead. All roads are paved and open year-round.
