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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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