Directions to the Flagstaff Lava River Cave (Lava Tubes):

From Interstate 17 - Take the Milton Rd. Exit North (toward peaks). Follow signs to Hwy 180. Turn North toward peaks (which is left) on Humphreys. Follow directions below titled "From downtown.”

From Interstate 40 - Take the E. Butler Exit and turn West. At San Francisco Street turn North (toward peaks - which is right). Turn West (which is left) on Route 66 (W. Santa Fe Avenue). Follow directions below titled "From downtown.”

From Route 66 - To get to the "Lava Tubes," (as the locals call it), take route 66 toward the Flagstaff downtown area (corner of Humphreys and Route 66 - a.k.a. W. Santa Fe Ave). Follow directions below titled "From downtown.”

From downtown - Turn North (toward the peaks) on "Humphreys" (which is Hwy. 180). City hall should be on the West corner.

Take Humphreys almost to the end and turn left at "Fort Valley Road" to stay on HWY 180 -- you'll be heading toward the Grand Canyon (keep your eyes pealed for the signs). NOTE: If you turn right at this intersection, the street name is "Columbus." You'll see a bank on the right (South East side) of the intersection.

Take "Fort Valley Road" about 12 to 15 miles to 100 feet just past mile marker number "230." At this point, set your odometer to zero (this is your point of reference) and take a left at forest service road #245.

Take that dirt road (which is regularly maintained in non-winter months) for 2.8 miles. Then, make a left at the end of the road (the "T"). Take that dirt road for 1.1 miles (your odometer should now read 3.9 miles total from the point of reference) and turn left (you should see a sign - as of Winter 2004). Then it's 0.2 of a mile to the parking spots where your final odometer reading should be 4.1 miles from Hwy 180 (the point of reference).

IMPORTANT NOTE: Take a flashlight and water for all hikers involved. Expect 40 degree weather (Fº) inside the cave year round (including middle of summer), so dress accordingly.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE: Please make sure everyone uses the rest-room before you leave for the lava river cave (lava tubes) because there are no bathroom facilities for more than 1/2 hour in every direction.

I suggest you NOT go in sandals, unless you're into pain. If you slip, the lava rocks are sharp and pointy, but they usually only make small scratches and bruises.

Expect to duck in some parts. There is only one way in and one way out, so there's no getting lost. The cave is roughly 3/4 of a mile long and will take the average group about 20-30 minutes to get to the end (60 minutes round trip without stopping). Enjoy the cave; we do.

This information brought to you courtesy of webweevers.com/flagstaff.htm

zach hidalgo

2004-09-14T19:21:57