Island Trail,
Walnut Canyon National Monument

Located 6.2 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona (AZ)
4 Stars
1,483 Steps 1  (0.7 mi)
Trails › National Monuments › Walnut Canyon › Island Trail

Eight hundred years ago the ancient Sinagua Indians built their homes in the alcoves on the rim of what is now known as Walnut Canyon. The Island Trail that leads to the ruins is a strenuous, steep hike with many steps — this is the only way to access the dwellings. At the rim, the trail is paved and level, there are few guide rails along the canyon edge — if traveling as a family with young children, be extra vigilant. In the lower depths of the canyon is Walnut Creek, the vegetation is mostly Ponderosa Pine and the floor of the canyon is lined with walnut trees, hence the name Walnut Canyon.

Island Trail
Island Trail
Island Trail

Elevation

The Island Trail has a maximum elevation of 6,696 ft., a minimum elevation of 6,466 ft. and an elevation range of 230 ft.

Metrics

[ A to B ] or [ B to A ]
Length 2Min Ele 3Max Ele 4Range 5
0.7 mi6,466 ft6,696 ft230 ft
[ A to B ]
Time 6Floors 7Gain 8Loss 9
17 min3.947 ft220 ft
[ B to A ]
TimeFloorsGainLoss
21 min18.3220 ft47 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 Island 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: Humphreys Peak, AZ
  2. North Topo Map: Sunset Crater West, AZ
  3. Northeast Topo Map: Sunset Crater East, AZ
  4. West Topo Map: Flagstaff West, AZ
  5. Topo Map: Flagstaff East, AZ
  6. East Topo Map: Winona, AZ
  7. Southwest Topo Map: Mountainaire, AZ
  8. South Topo Map: Lower Lake Mary, AZ
  9. Southeast Topo Map: Ashurst Lake, AZ

Difficulty

The following chart illustrates the difficulty of hiking the Island 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.

  • Island Trail

FAQ

What is the length of the Island Trail?

The length of the trail is 0.7 miles (1.1 km) or 1,483 steps.

How long does it take to hike the Island Trail?

A person in good physical health can hike the trail in 17 minutes in one direction and in 21 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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