San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff Arizona

The San Francisco Peaks are located just north of Flagstaff, Arizona, a 35 miles drive. It is a superb location with incredible volcanic mountains, where many visitors and scientists alike marvel at the ferocious legacy of millions of years of the ever-changing planet. In fact, it is a main source of both recreation and water for locals.

With its water supply being dependant on the history of a nearby volcanic region, Flagstaff, Arizona, fully appreciates the wonders that San Francisco Peaks have to offer. Recreation abounds with trails, ski tracks and incredible climbing spots. Tourists and locals cannot get enough of its incredible mountain scenes.

Many kilometers of prepared trails make available outstanding cross-country skiing through the Peak's foothills. Varied tracks are available, plus excellent telemarking slopes. However, the scenery is what attracts most people. It is possible from the Peak's to see as far away as sixty miles across the barren countryside to places like the Grand Canyon. Even other parts of northern Arizona are easily seen on a good day.

The San Francisco Peaks find their origins in the volcanic activity from millions of years ago, when the area was tropical and dinosaurs were their regular wildlife inhabitants. The highest peak is Humphreys, the tallest point in Arizona.

They are known to most simply as the 'Peaks', and consist of many long since dead volcanoes. One ancient caldera has filled every year with water, now being the main source of drinking water to Flagstaff. Even the incredibly nutritious volcanic soil is a perfect haven for many rare and beautiful plants and trees. A fair number of animals also call it home.