Northern Arizona Photo Essay

Towering over Flagstaff and visible from many vantage points in northern Arizona, the San Francisco Peaks are the remains of a lone, extinct stratovolcano with a collapsed caldera surrounded by six summits. The volcano was active 1.4 million and 400,000 years ago and the original volcanic peak may have once reached 16,000 feet above the Colorado Plateau. Located in Arizona’s Coconino County, an aquifer within the caldera supplies much of Flagstaff’s water while the Peaks themselves are in the Coconino National Forest.

The San Francisco Peaks are sacred to the native people that live in the area, and the soaring mountain profile set against a blue Arizona sky serves as a source of awe for today’s residents and visitors. Views from the summit of the San Francisco Peaks stretch to the Grand Canyon’s North Rim over eighty miles away. Hiking, sightseeing, wildlife watching, and winter sports are the predominant recreation activities enjoyed in this land of mountains, forests of ponderosa pines, meadows of aspen trees, and lava flows. Year-round tourism and lumbering are other industries connected to the Peaks.

For several Native American tribal nations across north-central Arizona, the San Francisco Peaks have considerable religious significance and are known by various Indigenous language names. The ancient mountain is the site of Indigenous origin stories, ancient shrines, and a place where ceremonial and medicinal plants are gathers. For example, the Hopi believe that the Peaks are the winter home of their kachina spirits and the source of clouds that bring rain for crops. The Peaks also play a prominent role in the Navajo legends and ceremonies and the Peaks are one of the four sacred mountains forming the boundaries of their homeland.

Approaching Flagstaff, Arizona

For many people, the first view of the San Francisco Peaks is from north Interstate 17 (I-17) as they drive up to Flagstaff from Phoenix. Although Humphreys Peak (12,633 feet) is Arizona’s highest natural point, this is not the peak that most people see as they arrive at the exits for Flagstaff off I-17 and the interchange with Interstate 40. Instead, the peak that is the most prominent one for most of Flagstaff is Agassiz Peak (12,360 feet), the second-highest mountain (or natural point) in the state. To see Humphreys Peak, one needs to travel north or northwest away from downtown Flagstaff.

We went on a mini road trip in early February 2023 and captured images of the Peaks from six vantage points and compiled them into this photo essay. Each stop highlights where we went, what peaks are visible from this perspective, the elevation where the images were taken, the map coordinates, and compass location (facing the Peaks).

Let’s go!

Perspective #1: Parks, Arizona

Located about 20 miles west of Flagstaff, Parks is a small community of nearly 1,400 people. At an elevation of 7,089 feet, its claim to fame is the Parks in the Pines General Store that was built in 1907 and predates Route 66. The one exit for Parks off Interstate 40 is exit 178. If you head north, this goes to N. Parks Road and will take you to the General Store. If you head south, this goes to S. Garland Prairie Road and the location for this perspective of the San Francisco Peaks.

• Elevation: 7,089 feet
• Coordinates: 35.2528 N, 111.9387 W
• Compass Direction: 106º E
• Location: S. Garland Prairie Road at BNSF Railroad frontage road (I-40, exit 178)
• Visible Peaks: Humphreys, Agassiz, and Fremont

From the viewpoint in Parks near the railroad tracks on the way to Garland Prairie, three of the San Francisco Peaks are visible. Humphreys Peak on the far left, Agassiz Peak in the middle, and Fremont Peak on the far right. A similar perspective can be seen from I-40 in the Parks area as you are heading east from Williams toward Flagstaff.

Perspective #2: Bellemont, Arizona

Located about 10 miles west-northwest of Flagstaff, Bellemont is an unincorporated growing community of more than 1,500 people and is surrounded by the Coconino National Forest. At an elevation of 7,143 feet, Bellemont’s claim to fame is being a location in the movie “Easy Rider” (1969) when Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper stop in front of the Pine Breeze Motel on Route 66. The one exit for Bellemont off Interstate 40 is exit 185 for Hughes Avenue. Head south toward Camp Navajo and then turn left (west) on Old Route 66. If you are in the Grand Canyon Harley-Davidson parking lot, this is the location for this perspective of the San Francisco Peaks.

• Elevation: 7,143 feet
• Coordinates: 35.2324 N, 111.8164 W
• Compass Direction: 30º NE
• Location: 12000 W. Route 66, Bellemont, AZ 86015 (I-40, exit 185)
• Visible Peaks: Humphreys, Agassiz, and Fremont

From the viewpoint in Bellemont on Old Route 66, three of the San Francisco Peaks are visible. Humphreys Peak on the far left, Agassiz Peak in the middle, and Fremont Peak on the far right. A similar perspective can be seen from Camp Navajo and other portions of I-40 near Bellemont as you are heading east toward Flagstaff.

Perspective #3: Walnut Canyon/Route 66, Arizona

Located about 10 miles east of Flagstaff, the section of historic Route 66 near Walnut Canyon National Monument is north of I-40 between Winona and Flagstaff. At an elevation of 6,683 feet, this section of Route 66 offers sweeping views of the Peaks as you are traveling west. The one exit for Walnut Canyon off Interstate 40 is exit 204. If you head south, this exit takes you to Walnut Canyon National Monument. If you head north, you will get to this alignment of Route 66 outside Flagstaff. If you are heading west, pull off onto the shoulder to see this perspective of the San Francisco Peaks.

• Elevation: 6,683 feet
• Coordinates: 35.2193 N, 111.5331 W
• Compass Direction: 246º SW
• Location: Historic Route 66 north of Walnut Canyon National Monument (I-40, exit 204)
• Visible Peaks: Agassiz, Fremont, and Doyle

From the viewpoint on Route 66 near Walnut Canyon, three of the San Francisco Peaks are visible. Agassiz Peak on the far left, Fremont Peak in the middle, and Doyle Peak on the far right. Seeing the San Francisco Peaks from this east-side perspective, Mount Elden may block – or partially block – the view of the Peaks depending on your location.

Perspective #4: Flagstaff, Arizona – NAU Parking Lot (Milton Rd./W. McConnell Dr.)

Established in 1899 as a teachers’ college for the Arizona Territory, Northern Arizona University (NAU) became a university in 1966. At an elevation of 6,891 feet, NAU is located near downtown Flagstaff and the city has expanded around it. The view of the San Francisco Peaks along Milton Road and off E. McConnell Drive is the “first impression” for many people as they enter Flagstaff.

As you approach Flagstaff on Interstate 17, Humphreys Peak is visible on the far left of the San Francisco Peaks when you are about 15 miles outside of town near Chavez Tank (exit 328, Newman Park Road). Yet, as you get closer to Flagstaff, the road turns just enough so that Agassiz Peak is the most visible peak; and Humphreys Peak – even though Humphreys is 275 feet taller in elevation – seems to hide behind Agassiz from many spots in Flagstaff. From the NAU parking lot (P62) off Pine Knoll Drive, the view of the San Francisco Peaks is facing directly north (0º).

• Elevation: 6,891 feet
• Coordinates: 35.1766 N, 111.6605 W
• Compass Direction: 0º N
• Location: NAU parking lot P62 off Pine Knoll Drive and E. McConnell Drive (east of Milton Road)
• Visible Peaks: Agassiz, Fremont, and Doyle

From this NAU parking lot location, three of the San Francisco Peaks are visible. Agassiz Peak on the far left and most prominent, Fremont Peak in the middle, and Doyle Peak on the far right. A similar perspective, with Agassiz Peak taking center stage, can be seen from many areas throughout Flagstaff to the point that many people may think the main peak they see from town is Humphreys Peak.

Perspective #5: Fort Valley, Arizona – U.S. Route 180

Located about 10 miles northwest of downtown Flagstaff, Chimney Spring Trail is in Fort Valley, which is slightly beyond the entrance to Snowbowl. At an elevation of 6,891 feet, there are spectacular views of the San Francisco Peaks from most of the homes in Fort Valley. US-180 is a two-lane road that is an alternate route for many driving from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon National Park’s South Rim. When driving northwest on US-180, Chimney Spring Trail is on the left. This is a residential area, so we made sure to be respectful as we were looking for the perfect spot to quickly capture our pictures. If you face south on W. Whitman Trail near the corner with N. Stony Mountain Way, you will see this perspective of the San Francisco Peaks.

• Elevation: 7,331 feet
• Coordinates: 35.2700 N, 111.7274 W
• Compass Direction: 235º S
• Location: US-180 beyond Snowbowl > N. Chimney Springs Trail > W. Whitman Trail at corner with N. Stony Mountain Way
• Visible Peaks: Humphreys, Agassiz, and Fremont

From this viewpoint in Fort Valley off US-180, three of the San Francisco Peaks are visible. Humphreys Peak on the far left, Agassiz Peak in the middle, and Fremont Peak on the far right. On US-180, Chimney Spring Trail is one of the first places where Humphreys Peak is visible from behind Agassiz Peak.

Perspective #6: Kendrick Park, Arizona – US Route 180

Located about 25 miles northwest of downtown Flagstaff, Kendrick Park Road is beyond the Kendrick Park Watchable Trail when heading north on US-180. At an elevation of 7,881 feet, this was the highest spot we explored for this San Francisco Peaks perspective comparison. Kendrick Park is on US-180 beyond Fort Valley when heading northwest. At Forest Road 514 (Kendrick Park Road), turn right for this perspective of the San Francisco Peaks.

• Elevation: 7,881 feet
• Coordinates: 35.4133 N, 111.7553 W
• Compass Direction: 235º SW
• Location: US-180 at Forest Road 514 (Kendrick Park Road)
• Visible Peaks: Reese, Aubineau, Humphreys, and Agassiz

From this viewpoint in Kendrick Park, four of the San Francisco Peaks are visible. Reese Peak on the far left, Aubineau Peak second from left, Humphreys Peak as the most prominent, and Agassiz Peak on the right. This is a unique spot to see some of the lesser-known peaks such as Reese and Aubineau.

San Francisco Peaks – Various Seasons

We moved to the Flagstaff area in February 2022 and quickly became fascinated with observing and photographing the San Francisco Peaks throughout the four seasons. These mountains have captivated us, as they have enthralled people for centuries. Whether the Peaks are covered with autumn foliage or wintery white snow, they are something to behold.

Behind the Scenes

To create this post, we visited these six locations on the same day, February 4, 2023, within a few hours during the middle of the day from 10:45 AM – 1:00 PM. My preferred time of day to photograph the Peaks is during golden hour – the hour right before sunset. On US-180, a portion of the road from Flagstaff heading north is officially known as “San Francisco Peaks Scenic Road”.

For this photo essay, I used the following websites and iPhone apps to create the images and map collages:

• My Altitude (iPhone App)
• Compass (iPhone App)
• eZy Watermark (iPhone App)
• PhotoGrid (iPhone App)
• ArcGIS (Website: esri.com)
• Mapline Map (Website – Free Account)

All views of the Peaks are magnificent, yet our favorite places are from Bellemont or Kendrick Park where we can see Humphreys Peak as part of the mountainous landscape. The next time you’re in northern Arizona, try to see the San Francisco Peaks from various places – you will not be disappointed!

Have you visited Flagstaff, Arizona and seen the San Francisco Peaks? What were your first impressions of these majestic mountains in northern Arizona? Looking forward to hearing from you in the comments! Like & follow my Facebook page for mini posts.

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