Coconino National Forest

Once the stomping grounds for swarms of pronghorn antelope, Anderson Mesa near Flagstaff has lost most of its herd. That’s because the mesa’s open grasslands – which provide food and protection for the animals – also are struggling to survive. Still, a hike across Anderson Mesa is a worthwhile experience.

This out-and-back hike follows a segment of the Arizona Trail from Marshall Lake to Fisher Point above Walnut Canyon. Sweeping views of the San Francisco peaks, abundant waterfowl sightings and fresh breezes provide the perfect setting to contemplate nature’s fragility and to see first-hand how the introduction of non-native species can initiate a devastating domino effect on native plant and animal populations.
 
It has been postulated that over-grazing by cattle in the area stripped the mesa of its native grasses, forbs (weeds) and shrubs that are the primary source of food and hiding places for newborn pronghorns. This, in turn, has led to high mortality rates among fawns because the vegetation they depend on is no longer sufficiently dense to hide them from coyotes and other predators.
In an attempt to save the antelopes, the Arizona Wildlife Federation and state wildlife officials have recently implemented relocation projects to bring the spry, agile beasts back to their native homeland upon the mesa. Visit azwildlife.org/andersonmesa.htm to follow their progress and to learn more about why spotting one of these lithe, elegant creatures along the trail is such a rare and wonderful experience.

LENGTH: 11.6 miles round-trip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION GAIN: 600 feet
GETTING THERE: From Phoenix, drive north on I-17 to just south of Flagstaff. Turn right onto Lake Mary Road and continue for about 10 miles to Marshall Lake Road (Forest Road 128). Turn left onto FR-128 and drive 2.2 miles. Look for a small “Arizona Trail” sign in a parking area on the left.
INFORMATION: 928-774-1147 or fs.fed.us/r3/coconino; information about the antelopes: azwildlife.org/andersonmesa.htm