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The image
above is an up-to-the-minute
picture (within 15 minutes) of the weather
conditions and time in Flagstaff, Arizona.
This is looking North toward the San
Francisco Peaks from a dorm at
Northern Arizona University.
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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.
Click here for
global positioning (gps) coordinates to the Flagstaff lava river cave
(lava tubes).
Click
here for a detailed map of forest service road #245 once in the forest.
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 or shorts, unless
you're
into pain (in case you fall). 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.
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