CocoSAR Challenge Hike

Completing this hike is a Two-fer! You'll not only get the World's Coolest Duck, but you'll also complete your annual fitness hike requirement for the MRU as well. Win! This 8.1-mile loop starts at the Upper Oldham trailhead off Mt. Elden Lookout Road and strings together a varied mix of Flagstaff's eastside trail network. The route drops south on the Arizona Trail, then turns up the Blue-Dot Trail for a punishing climb up Mt. Elden's volcanic east face to Devil's Head, the rocky high point that gives the loop its character. From the summit ridge, the TV and Sunset trails wind back down through burn-recovery aspen groves and meadows before reconnecting to the Upper Oldham Trail for the final stretch to the car. Total elevation gain is roughly 2,400 feet, with the high point at 9,163 feet on the Mt. Elden ridge and the low point near 7,300 feet on the AZ Trail. The hike's signature challenge is the Blue-Dot. It's short, brutally steep, and rocky enough to demand careful footing. Beyond the climb, expect classic San Francisco Peaks terrain: cinder underfoot in places, exposed lava-rock outcrops, and long views east across the Painted Desert on clear days. Plan for full sun exposure on the upper reaches, carry plenty of water (no reliable sources on route), and budget 4 to 6 hours depending on pace. Afternoon thunderstorms are a real concern from July into September, so an early start is the right call for this one. While enjoying this stroll keep this question in the back of your mind - "how would we get a subject down from here?" This route is very popular with runners and hikers, so an unusable muscular/skeletal issue is likely at some point in the future. This might be one of those areas where being Plan B and watching a helicopter do the work wouldn't be so bad.....