After a long, hot summer, sometimes you need a break from all the heat. And if you’re searching for a relatively easy, classic Flagstaff trail, we’d recommend Lakeview Trail No. 132. The trail starts with a scene lifted from Mark Twain’s classic “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” novel. Think small handmade wooden bridges over streams, a tiny, green house-shaped structure to the right of the trail and tall grass all around. Hike just a few steps and consider signing the U.S. Forest Service trail register – resting in a metal box. The beginning of Lakeview Trail overlaps with the Arizona Trail. At around 0.34 mile, you’ll reach a fence and a gray metal gate. Open the gate and head straight.
At around .70 mile, you’ll find a wooden sign marking the trail. We got slightly off trail near here. But if that happens to you, follow the trees marked with orange spray paint. They’ll guide the way. Look forward to classic Flagstaff scenery – tall ponderosa pine trees (pause to breathe in and see if you can smell the pine), pine cones on the ground, chirping birds and buzzing insects. A few parts of the trail feature trees that have fallen or have been chopped in half to make way for hikers. The trail is mostly shaded and relatively flat – making it perfect for an easy jaunt in the woods or for lake-visitors looking to fit in some exercise. A refreshing, cool breeze was blowing throughout our hike.
The halfway point of this trail is a short and steep ascent. Climb up one switchback and head to the rock outcropping to your left for the view of Mormon Lake this trail is named after. Hang out at the top, and admire the view. See some gnarly dead trees – including one “twisted” log on the ground and another whose limbs are “reaching” toward the sky. Turn back the way you came. Be sure to update the register before you leave the trail to let others know you made it back safe and sound.
