Chimney Springs Trail is a 2.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Flagstaff, Arizona that offers the chance to see wildlife. The trail is rated as moderate and offers a number of activity options. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Chimney Springs is part of the Fort Valley Trail system at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, a popular mountain-biking area also suitable for hikers and, in the winter, snowshoers and cross-country skiers. Several sections of the trail were designed by a local biking organization to provide a mor
From Route 66 in downtown Flagstaff, turn north on Humphreys St., then turn left at the third signal onto highway 180. Drive approximately 4.7 miles to Forest Road 164 B. Turn right, and drive about 400 feet then make another right on to a dirt road where the trailhead will be straight ahead about 100 feet. This is the south trail head. The northern trailhead is on the lower end of Snowbowl Road. There is no parking right at that trailhead.
From downtown Flagstaff, Arizona, take Humphreys Street to the "T" at Highway 180 (Fort Valley Road). Go left at the light. Highway 180 curves around to the right. Go another five miles or so to Forest Road 164B on the right. Take 164B a short distance to the trailhead.
The damper trail was easy and relaxing, some clearings where you can see the mountains. Not many people, and camping available for up to two weeks. I would come again and camp here and try some of the longer trails up to the foothills. Dirt bikes and mountain bikers around but not frequent.
I decided to do this hike simply because I never had before. I had never heard anyone mention the Chimney Springs Trail, and, looking at the map, I could see it likely would not be big on views. But not every hike needs to be about vistas or anything more than a nice walk in the woods. And that is what Chimney Springs turned out to be. Things are a bit confusing at the southern end, where there is a network of unmarked trails, used most often by mountain bikers and, in the winter, cross-country skiers. At least some of these trails were depicted on my map, but the lack of signage and some additional paths made me stop and go "hmm" more than once. I generally kept to the left, as my map indicated, except where an old road went left and narrower trail went straight (in which case I chose straight), and that finally brought me to the gas pipeline, which is one and the same with the trail for a while. (Another trail does continue across the pipeline, but I assumed that had been made by bikers and, being that it was not shown on my map, was not the official route.) Though I kept my eyes out, I somehow missed the point where the Chimney Springs Trail leaves the pipeline and re-enters the trees, but I did find another old road, also on the map further along, which got me back on track. All in all, this is an easy walk. A nice trail for a sunny day and long chat with your hiking buddy. Or maybe just some time alone with your own thoughts. As I'd expected, there were no big views, but it's just as well to look at the smaller stuff. I studied trees, admired some wildflowers, and pondered a pile of twisted and rusted old metal. The actual spring for which the trail is named is labeled on the map, though it is not right along the trail, and I opted against searching for it. With all of the hiking options around here, I can't say for sure I'll ever hike Chimney Springs again, but it was time well spent nevertheless. At least now I can look at that particular red line on my map and not wonder.