Hiking O'Leary Peak in Flagstaff, Arizona
Ranked #4,404 in Sports & Recreation, #112,061 overall
A DayHike to the O'Leary Lookout : 360-Degree Views of Northern Arizona
On a clear day, which describes many days here in northern Arizona, you can see all the way to the Grand Canyon and Painted Desert from the O'Leary's summit. You'll also have excellent views of old lava flows, Sunset Crater and the San Francisco peaks, and ponderosa pine forest as far as the eye can see.
O'Leary Peak is a lengthy day hike, but I consider it only moderately strenuous due to the easy grade of the closed and gated Forest Service road that switchbacks to the top. What makes it more difficult for some folks is the elevation of Flagstaff (the city is at 7,000 feet) if they're visiting from somewhere much closer to sea level.
Round-trip distance: 10.2 miles
Elevation gain for this hike: 1996 feet
Dogs and horses permitted
Directions to the O'Leary Lookout Trailhead
From Flagstaff, take US 89 north, past the Flagstaff mall, Townsend-Winona Rd and Silver Saddle Rd.Turn right on the road to Sunset Crater National Park.
Just before entering the park, take a left on Forest Service Rd 545A. You'll see the entrance to Bonito Campground on the left but continue ahead for O'Leary Peak trailhead parking.
Go about 1/4 of a mile to the parking area just before the gate where the pavement ends.
Visit the Coconino National Forest O'Leary Peak page.
Hike Along Sunset Crater's Lava Flow
It's called the Bonito Lava Flow
The first (and therefore last) couple of miles of the O'Leary Peak hike take you alongside the Bonito Lava flow, which occurred about 900 years ago when Sunset Crater was formed. Take a few minutes to veer off the trail and check out the sharp and brittle black lava. Imagine trying to walk on that stuff? It would tear up your shoes in no time, not to mention your skin if ... or more likely when ... you'd have to use your hands or even fall.
The whole area, including O'Leary Peak, was blanketed with lava and cinders during a series of eruptions sometime between A.D. 1040 and 1100.
Bonito Lava Flow Field, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Flagstaff, AZ
Buy at Allposters.com
More information about Sunset Crater and Flagstaff volcanoes:
View of Old Lava Flow from Partway Up O'Leary Peak
You really get a feel for all the volcanic activity that took place here as you ascend and look around.
Looking at Sunset Crater from O'Leary Peak
You can see right down into the bowl.
Wildflowers on O'Leary
Getting Up There...
Erosion Control Just Before The O'Leary Peak Lookout
East Summit
You hike on this metal grating to get to the fire tower.
On the O'Leary Fire Lookout Tower
If the tower is occupied, chances are the ranger will invite you up.
A View of Northern Arizona from the O'Leary Lookout Tower
Our hiking group at the summit, in front of the fire Tower
A Guide To Flagstaff Area Hikes
Flagstaff Hikes, Revised 6th Edition; 97 Day Hikes around Flagstaff, Arizona
Amazon Price: $15.23 (as of 06/02/2012)
Used Price: $10.95
The 97 hikes in this edition have been updated to include GPS coordinates. The very user-friendly format features each hike shown on opposite pages with directions to the trailhead, a description of the hike, and a color photograph and map. Also included is an elevation change graph, season-to-hike chart, difficulty/mileage graph and how-crowded icon. First released in 1992, the authors have kept this guide continuously updated and current through this latest edition.
Take an Armchair Hike Up O'Leary Peak
A series of three videos from the trailhead to the summit and back
Going Up!
Descending from the Fire Tower to the Trailhead
More Information About Flagstaff and Flagstaff Hikes
Hiking Red Mountain Near Flagstaff, Arizona
Located in the Coconino National Forest, twenty-five miles northwest of Flagstaff, you'll find a volcanic cinder cone called Red Mountain. Red Mountain is unusual...
I first visited Flagstaff in 1994, on my way to a river trip through the Grand Canyon. A year and a half later, in the middle of winter, I was back again....
What's Your Favorite Hike?
In Flagstaff or Beyond....
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RenaissanceWoman2010
Aug 20, 2011 @ 3:23 pm | delete
- I like how you incorporated multimedia clips and music into this lens as well as photos and trail descriptions. In terms of my favorite hike, it is usually whichever one I am on at the moment. A beautiful place to hike in Colorado Springs is Garden of the Gods.
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Jean
Aug 8, 2011 @ 11:47 pm | delete
- I was the lookout on duty that day. How interesting to see your view of the hike. Interesting choice of music...I'll hear it when I climb the stairs again, I'm sure. I appreciate your discretion in not posting me or my quarters online.
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RinchenChodron
Aug 7, 2011 @ 1:24 pm | delete
- I like hiking around Crestone Peak in Colorado. I love your photos! Nice lens.
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Rafick Aug 7, 2011 @ 2:14 am | delete
- My favorite hiking places are in New Zealand and the Himalayas, but this looks great too. Rafick
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PaulOnBooks
Aug 5, 2011 @ 5:43 am | delete
- Hiking O'Leary Peak sounds good. Nicely described.
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Flagstaff Hiking Guides
Best Easy Day Hikes Flagstaff, 2nd (Best Easy Day Hikes Series)
Amazon Price: $6.16 (as of 06/02/2012)
Flagstaff Hikes, Revised 6th Edition; 97 Day Hikes around Flagstaff, Arizona
Amazon Price: $15.23 (as of 06/02/2012)
