Lakeview Trail

My boss generously sprung for a new lens for my camera. It’s a beaut, too; a wide-angle thing that stretches down to 24 millimeters. (For those who aren’t photo gear-heads, let’s just say it’s a very nice lens.)

The new equipment motivated me to find a hike of spectacular beauty. After all, with a lens that can open wide, why not fill the frame with the best Arizona has to offer?

Short of a trip to the Grand Canyon, I thought I had come up with a perfect solution with the Lakeview Trail southeast of Flagstaff.

The trail is short and it’s among a thick forest, meaning an explosive display of fall colors would dazzle our eyes; and it led to a cliff overlooking Mormon Lake.

Heading north, our exit was the tiny town of Pinewood. From there, we drove bumpy dirt roads to the trailhead.

As we began the hike, I couldn’t help but feel cheated. Here I was with a big new lens, but the fall colors were nowhere to be seen (unless you consider green a fall color). Little tufts of yellow peeked out here and there, but otherwise, the “explosive display of fall colors” was naught but a puff of smoke.

The trail is a there-and-back hike. It begins at the Double Springs Campground, crosses a tiny creek and heads into a dense forest of ponderosa pines.

Lakeview Trail is easy to do. A sign at the beginning says it’s two miles to the end, but that’s extremely generous. More likely, it’s a short 1.5 miles one way. It’s easy to follow, too, and the incline is slight.

It ends at an overlook. You stand upon a sheer cliff wall and get a full panoramic view of hills below, forests and a vast marshland.

Though its very name indicates you’ll enjoy a bird’s eye view of Mormon Lake, the simple fact is that, for now, there is no lake to view.

Mormon Lake is Arizona’s largest natural lake, but only when it’s full. During our visit, the lake was mostly dry. You do get a good look at where the lake usually is, though.

(It makes me think the trail should be renamed to “Occasional Lakeview.”)

The view is impressive nonetheless, especially if you aren’t expecting to see water.

From the overlook, simply do an about-face and head back to the campground.

We took Highway 87 on the way back to Fountain Hills. It was by far the better way to go. You get a fun little trip through Mormon Lake Village, and at last, a look at actual water. (In the village, Mormon Lake is Mormon Pond, but at least it’s there.)

This route also shaved 20 miles off the trip, not to mention gave us enough time to stop for a sit-down dinner in Payson, which is much better than sitting in stalled traffic on the interstate.

To get there, take Highway 87 north through Payson, Pine and Strawberry. Turn left onto Forest Highway 3, then left again at Forest Road 90.

Just past Mormon Village, turn left into the Double Springs Campground. If the gate is closed (as it was on our trip), there is plenty of room to park near the gate and walk in. The campsite is just up the road and the trailhead is at the campsite. Restroom facilities are available at the campsite.

This hike was first featured November 2003 and revised February 2007.