Lenox Crater Trail,
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Located 13.1 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona (AZ)
4 Stars
696 Steps 1  (0.3 mi)
Trails › National Monuments › Sunset Crater Volcano › Lenox Crater Trail

The Lenox Crater Trail is a very strenuous hike along a volcanic cinder path — the trail climbs the side of a volcanic cinder cone, providing a great opportunity to hike a volcano, unlike Sunset Crater which was closed to hikers in 1973. Ponderosa Pine have successfully managed to grow here and offer shade from the hot sun during the summer months.

Lenox Crater TrailLenox Crater Trail CinderSquirrel at Lenox Crater

Elevation

The Lenox Crater Trail has a maximum elevation of 7,261 ft., a minimum elevation of 6,942 ft. and an elevation range of 319 ft.

Metrics

[ A to B ] or [ B to A ]
Length 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
0.3 mi6,942 ft7,261 ft319 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
14 min25.8309 ft0 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
7 min0.00 ft309 ft
Data Accuracy
5 Stars
Data Reliability
5 Stars

Calories

The following chart shows the total calories that you may expend on the trail while hiking in both directions. The chart is based on data derived from a statistical model of energy expenditure that relates gross weight, typical speed and trail topography.

Topo Maps

Download the PDF Lenox Crater Trail topo map and the adjoining quads to plan your hike. These are full-sheet, 7.5 Minute (1:24,000 scale) topographic maps.

Adjoining 7.5' Quadrangle Legend

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9
  1. Northwest Topo Map: White Horse Hills, AZ
  2. North Topo Map: O'Leary Peak, AZ
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Strawberry Crater, AZ
  4. West Topo Map: Humphreys Peak, AZ
  5. Topo Map: Sunset Crater West, AZ
  6. East Topo Map: Sunset Crater East, AZ
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Flagstaff West, AZ
  8. South Topo Map: Flagstaff East, AZ
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Winona, AZ

Difficulty

The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Lenox Crater Trail compared to two other trails. The x-axis is cumulative elevation gain and the y-axis is maximum elevation. The length of the trail is reflected in the size of the bubble.

FAQ

What is the length of the Lenox Crater Trail?

The length of the trail is 0.3 miles (0.5 km) or 696 steps.

How long does it take to hike the Lenox Crater Trail?

A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 14 minutes in one direction and in 7 minutes in the opposite direction.

Warnings

Prevent tick bites: Treat clothing and gear, such as boots, pants, socks and tents with products containing 0.5% permethrin. (cdc.gov)

Footnotes

  1. Steps is a unit of distance equal to the sum of stride lengths that vary with the terrain.
  2. Length is the distance of the trail between the two trailheads, measured on the trail.
  3. Min Ele is the minimum elevation on the trail.
  4. Max Ele is the maximum elevation on the trail.
  5. Range is the difference between maximum and minimum elevation.
  6. Time is the typical total time required to hike the trail.
  7. Floors is the gain divided by twelve feet, the height of one floor.
  8. Gain (cumulative elevation gain) is the sum of every gain in elevation.
  9. Loss (cumulative elevation loss) is the sum of every loss in elevation.

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