Flagstaff 'City of Seven Wonders'

View of Flagstaff, AZ from the Snow Bowl

View over Flagstaff from the Arizona Snow bowl

Flagstaff 'City of Seven Wonders'

By A.M. Melfa & Carl Jackson

FLAGSTAFF, AZ - Just a 30 mile drive north of Sedona sits Flagstaff at the heart of Northern Arizona.

The city sits squarely at the intersection of Route 40 (and the historic Rte 66) going west to east, and I-17 running north to south (also 89A from Sedona), making it the centerpiece for commerce for the area.

Flagstaff is called the "City of Seven Wonders" because it sits in the midst of the Coconino National Forest and is surrounded by the Grand Canyon, Oak Creek Canyon, Walnut Canyon, Wupatki National Monument, Sunset Crater National Monument, and the San Francisco Peaks. Humphrey's Peak (part of the San Francisco Peaks) is a 12,637 foot dormant volcano and the highest point in Arizona just 11 miles north of Flagstaff.

Brief History

Flagstaff's 7,000 foot elevation is surrounded by the dense Ponderosa Pines of the Coconino National Forest, making logging one of its primary industries. Its name was coined on July 4, 1876 (United States Centennial) when lumberjacks nailed an American flag to the top of a Ponderosa Pine.

Snow on Humphrey's Peak, the highest point in Arizona and 11 miles north of Flagstaff

Present

Flagstaff has about 60,000 residents. The town's major attractions are the Lowell Observatory and two different craters. Visitors can also tour the Riordan Mansion, the Arboretum at Flagstaff, hike at the Walnut Canyon National Monument or explore ancient Indian pueblos at the Wupatki National Monument.

Astronomical Observatory
The Lowell Observatory is a privately owned astronomical research institution that operates nine telescopes at two locations in Flagstaff. The planet Pluto was discovered here in 1930. The main facility is located on Mars Hill just west of downtown Flagstaff that houses the original Clark Refracting Telescope built in 1896 and used today for public education. The second facility is located 12 miles south of downtown Flagstaff on Anderson Mesa.

Two Different Craters
The Sunset Crater Volcano was formed in 1064 A.D. from a volcanic eruption in the Flagstaff area. The crater is 2,250 feet wide and 300 feet deep and is located at the summit of a 1,000 mile high cone of hardened volcanic ash. Sunset Crater lies 15 miles directly north of Flagstaff on US 89.

The Meteor Crater was formed between 20,000 and 50,000 years ago when an meteorite weighing hundreds of thousands of tons crashed into the earth about 40 miles east of Flagstaff.

Getting there from Sedona

The quickest (and straightest) way to drive from Sedona to Flagstaff is up I-17 but that would mean back tracking south of Sedona to pick up I-17 and missing driving one of the most scenic views in Arizona up through Oak Creek Canyon along 89A (our preferred route).

A Day Trip to Flagstaff

Oak Creek Canyon

On an early October morning we head out of Sedona going north on 89A along the majestic tree lined Oak Creek Canyon. After winding our way up and out of Oak Creek Canyon, we stop at Oak Creek Vista, a scenic area at the summit, to take in the spectacular view opening out behind us.

As we head further up the 89A towards Flagstaff, the crisp fall day bathes us in a temperature approximately 15 degrees lower than Sedona, so we stop along the road to don our sweaters and take a few moments to amble among the Ponderosa Pines.

All this fresh air and sunshine has peaked our appetites, so we stop at the downtown historic district just off Route 66 going north through town and set out in search of an eatery.

The options are numerous and varied, but in the end we opt for the Mountain Oasis International Restaurant at 11 East Aspen Street, a vegan-friendly restaurant.

The energetic decor featuring works of local artists and vaulted ceilings lend a spacious, generous ambience to this bistro.

An appetizer of Shitake Mushroom Spring Rolls pleases both the eyes and the palate.

Happily sated, we venture north along Route 180 out of town towards the Grand Canyon for a stop by the Museum of Northern Arizona (www.musnaz.org; 928-774-5213). In addition to the vast artistic offerings available, the MNA also boasts sections on anthropology, biology, geology and more.

We could easily spend the whole day here but we want to hit the Snow Bowl (a ski resort in the winter) at the foot of the San Francisco Peaks before the sun dips below the horizon.

Aspens in Flagstaff

A hike through the surreal beauty of the autumnal Aspen trees provides a perfect end to a relaxing day.

As we stroll past these pillars of pristine white bark with jewel colored, shimmering leaves, we gaze up for a moment to watch as a storm cloud crowning Humphrey's Peak dusts the apex with a glittering coat of new born snow. The sight prompts us to promise a return trip as soon as the snow base permits for a day of skiing and snowboarding.

On the return trip back to Sedona we converse about our next visit to Flagstaff. Maybe we'll go to the historic Riordan Mansion (928-779-4395) or perhaps the Arboretum at Flagstaff Botanical Gardens (928-774-1442) by day, and by night we could stop by the Lowell Observatory (928-774-3358); then take in some music with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra (928-522-5661).

We are not decided yet, as there are so many enjoyable things to see and do in Flagstaff, a wonderful day trip just a short 40 minute drive north from Sedona.