Length: 1 mile roundtrip

Difficulty: Moderate

Managing Agency: Coconino National Forest

Journal: "Five Golden Years!"

**Kid Friendly Hike**

From Flagstaff, take US Highway 180 north 18.5 miles to FR 760. Turn left and take FR 760 2.2 miles to FR 9009D. This road is rough and high clearance is recommended. It is recommended that, if you do not have a high clearance vehicle, park your car here and walk the road. If you do have high clearance or 4WD, proceed on 9009D for 1 mile, until you reach the "Official Notice" sign. Park here.

Trail Description:

The Crater Lake Trail is a half-mile climb up a steep and rocky slope, gaining 200 feet of elevation in that time. The trail is very exposed, as parts of it were burned in the Pumpkin Fire of 2002, which devestated parts of Kendrick Mountain. You can see the burned regions of Kendrick Mountain from the trail.

Upon cresting the hill, the trail then drops fifty feet into a volcanic crater that is lined with pine and aspen trees. This is Crater Lake. During wet seasons, Crater Lake will be full of water. It was once reported that, in 1889, Crater Lake actually overflowed with water. When we were there in July 2004 (during the seven-year drought), the lake was dry.

Return the way you came.