Distance: 5.4 miles round trip on trail
Summit Elevation: 9299'
Prominence: 1219'
Elevation Gain: 2453'
Elevation Gain (in Empire State Buildings): 2.0
Round trip time: 4 hours
Recommended water: 72 oz.
Parking/Fees: Free at Elden Trailhead parking lot
Difficulty: Moderate
The schedule had us in Flagstaff for a couple of days, setting our sights on a quick trip through a slot canyon before challenging another mountain. However, upon diving into the details of our proposed slot canyon, we found the water depths far exceeded the capabilities of our gear. With that, we rescheduled our Elden Mountain adventure the day after Humphreys. The ripple effect of this decision had us starting later than anticipated, and we braced ourselves for a scorching trek. We rolled into the Elden trailhead parking lot around 9 AM, where there was little space to spare, with the mercury already closing in on 80F. We crossed paths with numerous early-birds making their return journey.
Initially, the trail treated us kindly, lulling us into a rhythm before surprising us with the harsh, east-facing incline. From there, the trail took a challenging turn, serving up a sequence of tight switchbacks, each presenting significant gain. Though challenging, the combination of occasional shade and a soothing breeze made it bearable. Our journey was punctuated by the sight of a dozen trail maintenance workers, busily improving the trail for future adventurers. Despite the hurdles, we gradually reached the summit, welcomed by a collection of radio towers and a fire lookout, each vying for space and somewhat marring the scenic view. We stumbled upon two reference marks and a benchmark, though no register was to be found. Our attempts to capture views of Flagstaff were mostly foiled by the clustered towers. I had high hopes of taking in the grandeur of Humphreys, yet all we could see were Fremont and Agassiz.
We found two trucks parked at the peak, the drivers mysteriously absent. We took a brief pause, just enough to gather our breath before setting off on the descent. Despite our delayed start, a handful of hikers were still powering their way up in the searing heat. On reaching the truck, we were greeted by a now half-empty parking lot. Elden Peak proved to be a workout on a day that was initially intended to be a light one.
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