Hiking Trips   

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Near the northern edge of the great field of volcanos that surrounds Williams and Flagstaff is an otherwise average cinder cone, about 1,000 feet tall, called Red Mountain. What makes this little mountain unique is how erosion has carved a spectacular amphitheater out of the heart of this extinct volcano, creating a magical landscape of cliffs, spires, and little slot canyons. While talking about the history and dynamics of the San Francisco Volcano Field, and the local ecosystems, we will hike into the heart of Red Mountain, enjoying our lunch inside the volcano.  After our main hike, we’ll travel back roads south to Parks, then west on Historic Route 66 to Keyhole Sink, hiking into this unusual feature with petroglyphs and a seasonal waterfall.  Hiking distance is about 4.5 miles, mostly on well-maintained trail; inside Red Mountain there’s some optional off-trail exploring. Activity Rating: Level 3.

Tuition includes ground transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott campus.

*Chino valley pickup available.

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Perry Mesa, in Agua Fria National Monument, was heavily occupied by prehistoric people some 700 years ago. There are significant abandoned village sites all across the mesa. One of the largest of these, and one of the least visited, is Baby Canyon Ruin, several hundred rooms perched on a butte on the south side of Baby Canyon, a little over a mile from the Agua Fria River. We’ll visit this site while talking about the prehistory of the area, and a bit of geology and ecology. The hike is about 6 miles total, largely off trail, and includes a nearly 400-foot steep elevation gain at the end to reach the ruin. The footing on the climb is very stable and not hand and foothold climbing, just steep hiking, but a lot of work. Activity Rating: 5.

Tuition includes transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8:00AM from Prescott Campus.

*Cordes Junction pickup available around 8:30am. 

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The headwaters of the Verde River, just northeast of Chino Valley, is a fascinating area. The springs there are the source of the only perennial river flowing entirely within Arizona. We will hike some distance along the rim and enter the canyon about a mile downstream from the confluence with Granite Creek, hiking upstream to the headwaters springs and a large and little-known rock art site which incorporates both Hopi and Yavapai winter solstice observatory features. We will discuss geology, natural history and prehistory along the way. Total hiking distance about four miles. The climb out, several hundred feet elevation gain, is steep and rocky. We will ford the river once, 12-18 inches deep; suitable barefoot or light water shoe/sandal wading. Activity Rating: 3.

Tuition includes transportation, box lunch and field instruction. Departs 8AM from Prescott Campus.

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About a mile from the Colorado River, Diamond Creek Road reaches its namesake, Diamond Creek. We will hike up this creek about 3 miles into a spectacular narrows (one short steep place, but mostly gentle gradients with multiple creek crossings about ankle deep), enjoying lunch at a beautiful little waterfall beneath thousand-foot cliffs. We will discuss both the geology and natural history along the way. Our day will culminate with a visit by van to the Colorado River before having dinner in Seligman (on your own) and then returning to campus.  This is an off-trail hike, 6 miles total, with fairly rocky footing and your footwear will get wet; hiking poles advised.  Like our other hikes in the area, this route is not open to the general public. This trip is for experienced hikers.  Activity Rating: 3+

Tuition includes ground transportation, field instruction, Hualapai permits and box lunch. Departs 7AM from Prescott Campus.*Chino Valley pickup available.

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Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

About a mile from the Colorado River, Diamond Creek Road reaches its namesake, Diamond Creek. We will hike up this creek about 3 miles into a spectacular narrows (one short steep place, but mostly gentle gradients with multiple creek crossings about ankle deep), enjoying lunch at a beautiful little waterfall beneath thousand-foot cliffs. We will discuss both the geology and natural history along the way. Our day will culminate with a visit by van to the Colorado River before having dinner in Seligman (on your own) and then returning to campus.  This is an off-trail hike, 6 miles total, with fairly rocky footing and your footwear will get wet; hiking poles advised.  Like our other hikes in the area, this route is not open to the general public. This trip is for experienced hikers.  Activity Rating: 3+

Tuition includes ground transportation, field instruction, Hualapai permits and box lunch. Departs 7AM from Prescott Campus.*Chino Valley pickup available.

View Refund/Cancellation Policy.

Download Full Itinerary

Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

About a mile from the Colorado River, Diamond Creek Road reaches its namesake, Diamond Creek. We will hike up this creek about 3 miles into a spectacular narrows (one short steep place, but mostly gentle gradients with multiple creek crossings about ankle deep), enjoying lunch at a beautiful little waterfall beneath thousand-foot cliffs. We will discuss both the geology and natural history along the way. Our day will culminate with a visit by van to the Colorado River before having dinner in Seligman (on your own) and then returning to campus.  This is an off-trail hike, 6 miles total, with fairly rocky footing and your footwear will get wet; hiking poles advised.  Like our other hikes in the area, this route is not open to the general public. This trip is for experienced hikers.  Activity Rating: 3+

Tuition includes ground transportation, field instruction, Hualapai permits and box lunch. Departs 7AM from Prescott Campus.*Chino Valley pickup available.

View Refund/Cancellation Policy.

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Reserve at least two weeks in advance.

The only road to the Colorado River canyon’s depths is located on Hualapai lands in western Grand Canyon. This road accesses a little-known hiking route that leads out onto the Tonto Rim, nearly a thousand feet above the Colorado River. This is a truly wild and spectacular Grand Canyon hike with fabulous distant views up and down the canyon, views ordinarily only accessible on multi-day backpacking expeditions. Hiking distance is almost four miles and includes some steep grades and narrow trails - not for the fainthearted. We will discuss geology and natural history along the way. The day will culminate with a van stop at the Colorado River. Dinner stop at Lilo's in Seligman (on your own). This trip is for experienced hikers.  Activity Rating: 3+ to 4.

Tuition includes transportation, box lunch, Hualapai permits and field instruction. Departs 7AM from Prescott Campus.

*Chino Valley pickup available.

View Refund/Cancellation Policy.