Kendrick Mountain: Rugged, Tough, Exhausting and You Need To Do It

This one kicked my ass.

As beautiful as it was, there were some rough times.

But it was so worth it!

The view from the top of Kendrick Mountain. You can see the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff ahead.

So here's the deal. This hike is tough. Get ready to earn those muscular thighs. But, wow the feeling I had after finishing this hike (After the 5 hour nap I took) was pure excitement. I was a) proud of finishing it and b) so happy to experience all this hike has to offer.

I did this hike when I was just starting to get into hiking (in 2012) so I plan on doing it again to see if it is as tough as I remember.

Hikers can expect to run into deer, elk, cows, birds and potentially black bears on this hike (be sure to look up in the trees!).  You will see beautiful trees and from the top you can see the Grand Canyon.

Switchbacks became my best friend.

Hike details:

• 5 to 6 hours roundtrip
• roughly 9 miles roundtrip
• The trail spits out onto a helicopter landing pad. We laid down on it to recuperate for the hike back down.
• You will reach a cabin about 4.25 miles up. This is NOT the end of the trail. Be sure to keep going all the way to the helicopter pad.
• You gain almost 3,000 feet in elevation.

Standing on the helicopter pad at the very top.

What to bring:

• Water. A lot of it. We both finished a full Camelbak.
• Food- a 5-6 hour hike is going to wear you out. We brought granola bars and some fruit. 
• Toilet paper (I mean, you never know).
• Bear spray
• Cell phone
• Sunglasses/hat
• Sunscreen/chapstick
• Remember to pack out whatever you pack in.

Directions:
From Flagstaff take highway 180 north to FR 193, about 10 miles north of the turnoff to Snowbowl. Turn left onto FR 193 and continue to FR 171 and turn right. Go 2 miles to FR 190 and turn right. The parking area is 1 mile ahead.

The hike is shaded in most areas as you scale the switchbacks.