In late October of 2017, I decided to flip on up to Flagstaff and do some day hiking.  I decided to hike at one of my all-time favorite places known as Lockett Meadow.  This is near the base of the San Francisco Peaks, which is a series of peaks that were left over from a massive eruption eons ago.  The caldera left over from the eruption is known as the Inner Basin and can be accessed by a 2.5 mile one way trail that starts at Lockett Meadow and ascends about 1800 feet.  This is a wonderful but strenuous trail with a constant climb that I recommend to anyone that can handle the grade and the altitude.  The ascent ends just shy of 10,000 feet in elevation with an option to hike on up to the top of Mt Humphreys, which is Arizona's tallest peak at 12,633 feet and where the oxygen level is half of what it is at sea level!

At any rate, in many places, the trail is thick with Aspens.  So thick that no matter where you look, all you see are the beautiful white barked trees, and you can't see the other side of them.  During this trip, I missed the golden leaves by about one week, but it was still quite a beautiful and rewarding hike.  Below are a few photos.  The morning lighting is hard to beat.  In one direction, the light is warm while in the opposite direction the trees are cast in a cool bluish light.  This is the payoff for waking up at 5:00AM to hike!!  See for yourself...

Along the Inner Basin Trail Along the Inner Basin Trail The Inner Basin of the San Francisco Peaks

Aerial view... in the middle of the crescent-shaped San Francisco Peaks area, is the Inner Basin.

After hiking 5 miles in the Inner Basin and Lockett Meadow, I went to opposite side of the San Francisco Peaks to another favorite place called Hart Prairie and hiked a few more miles.  I was rewarded with what I think was the last of the fall color in the area, and managed to get off a decent shot of the golden aspens with Humphreys Peak (with a dusting of snow) in the background.

Mt Humphreys from Hart Prairie Along Hart Prairie Road Fall Color at Hart Prairie in Flagstaff

Gorgeous place any time of year!  As always, thank you for reading.