Okay, so you’ve made the most of your travel days and you’re finally in Flagstaff! Now what… Honestly, I recommend doing very little the first night. Get a bite to eat, get hydrated, and get acclimated to the higher elevation before diving into tomorrow’s activities. Remember, this is an outdoor blog. 😉

If you haven’t read Part 1 of this series, then check out: Rain, Red Rocks, and Backup Plans

Where to Stay

Vacation rentals in Flagstaff can be stunning, but also pricey. Given that we were only in town for one full day, we opted to rent a Vrbo 15 minutes outside of  Flagstaff proper, in Kachina Village, where you’re still surrounded by lush, northern forests, but at a lower price. 

If you’re wanting to stay budget-conscious, but still in the city, then I would highly recommend the Aiden by Best Western Flagstaff. I’ve stayed there twice, and both times I was pleasantly surprised by the amenities and convenience, while still getting to look up at the ponderosa pines surrounding the location.

Morning: Breakfast

There are a lot of cute cafes in Flagstaff that you should definitely try if you have the time, but if I have one place to recommend, it’s going to be the place… Mike & Ronda’s The Place.

This is your classic, no-frills diner experience. What I love about this restaurant is that it is open at 6 am, so you can get your day started early and still have a good meal. Don’t like breakfast food? Don’t worry, their lunch menu is served all day, too! Eat a burger at 7 am, who cares? Personally, I’m ordering the biscuits and gravy, with hash browns, because carbs. And don’t forget the Cholula!

Activities at Snowbowl 

You have ONE day, and I don’t care what season it is: you should spend this one day at Snowbowl. 

Hiking

Snowbowl has a few different hikes, ranging from an easy loop through the aspen grove to the strenuous climb to the summit of Mt. Humphreys.

Aspen Nature Loop

• Distance: 1.2-2 miles 
• Difficulty: Easy
• Time: ~1 hour if you take the extended loop or stop to take pictures along the way 😉

This is a great loop for views of the mountain, but it really shines in the fall, when the aspen leaves are changing and you’re meandering beneath a canopy of golden, rustling leaves. With minimal elevation gain and few loose rocks, roots, or other obstacles, this is a great option for an easier hike.

Fall also brings plenty of visitors to this grove. Make sure you park only in designated areas, and be respectful of the trail and surrounding forest so we can continue to enjoy it for years to come! 

Humphreys Trail

• Distance: roughly 10 miles round-trip
• Difficulty: Hard to strenuous. The elevation makes it even harder. Strong winds can make conditions even more challenging, sometimes forcing you to turn around before reaching the summit.
• Time: 5-8 hours, expect this to take the majority of your day if you’re aiming for the summit 

Speaking of summits, there are 3 false summits… keep going, bestie. 

Humphreys Peak is the tallest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet, and it is no easy feat to get up there! I have only summited once, turned around at the saddle another time, and spent about 90 minutes hiking the trail on another visit because even if you don’t make it to the top, it is still a trail worth hiking. 

This trail has over 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Humphreys Trail is accessible in different seasons, but snowy and windy conditions can drastically increase the difficulty. Since snow cover and limited trail markers can make navigation more difficult, make sure you have your map handy and be prepared to pack cold-weather gear even in the summer. 

You begin the trail through the ponderosa pine forest and have to navigate rocks and roots, so watch your knees and ankles on the way down. Toward the top are several false summits and loose rock, so anticipate some scrambling and wear sturdy footwear. Once you’re beyond the treeline, it is usually very windy and exposed, and afternoon storms are common in the late summer, so I recommend that you get an early start and be prepared to turn around if conditions deteriorate. Check the snow report and webcams on Snowbowl’s website for current conditions: Snowbowl Weather Conditions . 

On a clear day, they say you can see the red rocks in Sedona and all the way to the Grand Canyon. I wouldn’t know from personal experience- it seems every time I go I have my head in the clouds. ☁️

High Altitude Warning

No matter what hike you do, be prepared for the elevation to have an impact. This is why I will always suggest spending at least one night in the area before tackling a hike here, but it’s not a guarantee that you won’t be impacted by the high altitude. Take it easy at the start, and when you inevitably find yourself thinking, “Why am I so winded? I just started!”, take a breather and let your body catch up. Your body may need time to adjust to the higher elevation, so don’t be afraid to slow down! 

If you develop a headache, nausea, dizziness, or unusual shortness of breath, don’t push through it. Stop, assess how you’re feeling, and descend if symptoms persist or worsen. Severe symptoms may require medical attention.

 Scenic Gondola 

If you’re not up for tackling the strenuous hike all the way to the saddle or the peak, then I recommend booking a scenic gondola ride to take in some of those amazing views without the strenuous climb. The lift starts at roughly 9,500 feet and takes you up to nearly 12,000 feet in about 10 minutes! Your booking includes an all-day pass, so you can go up and down multiple times. 

The booking prices are based on a demand-based system, so the further out you book, the cheaper it’ll be, and if you come on a particularly busy day then expect to pay more. As you can tell in both photos, your view from the gondola or the mountain peak might be obstructed by clouds. So enjoy the ride or the trail, and hopefully your visit is sunnier than mine! 

Be aware that the schedule for the scenic gondola rides can vary at the beginning of summer, but generally speaking, this activity is available daily from 10 am to 4 pm unless there are hazardous weather conditions or fire-related restrictions. Check Snowbowl’s website for the latest information on scenic gondola rides and mountain conditions:  Scenic Gondola Ride Details. 

Lunch at Snowbowl 

Once you’re done with hiking and maybe have one or no more gondola rides left in you, I suggest grabbing a bev and a bite to eat at the Agassiz Restaurant before you leave Snowbowl. If you’re not sure what to get, you can’t go wrong with the spinach and artichoke dip, which is even better served in a sourdough bread bowl. 

If the weather is nice, enjoy your meal on the outdoor patio, where you’ll find plenty of games to play, or check out the rooftop putt-putt at the 9,500’ Bar.

Dinner at FryMex

This might be controversial, but I would suggest skipping downtown Flagstaff unless your hotel is located down there. I haven’t experienced a truly bad restaurant in Flagg, but nothing has really screamed  “Tell everyone you know to eat here!” quite like FryMex. FryMex is located on the northeast side of town inside of PuttTek. 

I recommend the FryTaco with ground wagyu, black beans, and all of the fixings you’d normally put on a taco. You can customize your order with a variety of toppings and proteins, or go meatless for a vegetarian option. Make sure you try the 928 sauce! The fry bread itself was perfectly golden brown, fluffy, and crisp without being greasy or heavy. The portions are incredibly generous.  You can’t leave without also ordering a dessert fry bread: the cinnamon sugar is a simple and delicious way to end the meal, but the strawberry Dubai chocolate flavor is on my must-try list for next time!

On top of a delicious meal, you can also get in a quick 18 at PuttTek’s putting course. This isn’t your average putt-putt golf, but a true putting course that features greens made to golf-course standards with real contours, breaks, and elevation changes. The course is open year-round, and the lights and patio heaters mean you can keep playing after the sun goes down. 

Pack It Up

Flagstaff is the kind of place where you could easily spend several days exploring, but if you’ve only got one full day, you can still fit in a pretty memorable adventure. Spend your first evening taking it easy and giving yourself time to adjust to the elevation, fuel up with a hearty breakfast, then head to Snowbowl for a hike or scenic gondola ride before wrapping up the day with some good food. Just remember that the elevation is no joke, mountain weather can change quickly, and cloudy views are always a possibility. Plan ahead, give yourself some flexibility, and don’t forget to enjoy the adventure even when things don’t go exactly as planned!

~ Mo