Arizona Trail Passage 30: Anderson Mesa

AZT Passage 30: Anderson Mesa is a 18-mile point-to-point section of the roughly 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail. This moderately rated section runs from Mayflower Spring to Marshall Lake Trailhead and is located southeast of Flagstaff, AZ. This passage is accessible for hikers, trail runners, long-distance backpackers, equestrians and mountain bikers. Passage 30 traverses Anderson Mesa in the Lake Mary area southeast of Flagstaff. The trail is mostly singletrack, with occasional doubletrack, and the terrain is fairly flat and easy. This section begins northwest of Mormon Lake and features shaded pine forests, lush meadows, and wooded hillsides. The trail follows an old railroad bed for several miles, passes through a series of gates, and makes a short, steep ascent to Anderson Mesa.The trail traverses across the mesa with scenic views of the San Francisco Peaks and Lake Mary. It crosses Forest Road 129, passes Vail Lake and Prime Lake, and then skirts around the Lowell Observatory. After crossing an open meadow the trail descends a wooded hillside and makes its way towards Marshall Lake and the end of this section.DIRECTIONSFollow Arizona National Scenic Trail Signs/Trail Markers.WATERWater may be available at some of the stock tanks along the route. There may also be seasonal water in some of the drainages the trail crosses, please be sure to check the water before heading out.Check the Arizona Trail Water Report for current information at: https://aztrail.org/explore/water-sources/.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INFORMATIONArizona National Scenic Trail Association: www.aztrail.orgCoconino National Forest, Flagstaff Ranger District, http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/, 1-(928) 526-0866.BLM Information Center (602) 417-9300.