FR522 Freidlein Prairie

4/5 (7 reviews)
Flagstaff, Arizona (Coconino County)
Last Updated: 05/28/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

This popular trail provides the closest motorized access to the Kachina Peaks Wilderness and Kachina Trailhead, and fourteen *free* high-elevation designated campsites! Although views of the peaks are limited, the forest is beautiful. Mexican Spotted Owls, a protected species, live in the area so it receives special attention from the Forest Service. For those visiting the Snowbowl ski resort on the west side of the peaks for the ski lift or restaurant, the access to this road is located conveniently halfway up Snowbowl Road. The parking lot at the end of the road brings you within hundreds of yards of the Wilderness boundary and the Kachina Trail, making this one of the three best alpine wilderness hiking trailhead accesses in Flagstaff along with the much busier Humphreys Trail (at Snowbowl) and Inner Basin Trail (off Lockett Meadow).

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4/5 (7)
Official Crew
12100
Seasonal Closure
Rated 4/5
Visited: 05/28/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Still closed as of Memorial Day 2023. Let us know if you see the gate open?
Official Crew
111450
Seasonal Closure
Visited: 12/01/2021

Closed for the season! See you in 2022!
Official Crew
12100
Open
Visited: 07/11/2018

Reopened today. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD586542
Official Crew
12100
Temporary Closure
Visited: 05/25/2018

Due to Stage 3 fire restrictions, most of the Coconino National Forest is under an Area Closure prohibiting use- even driving forest roads. This includes FR522! https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5339811
Official Crew
12100
Open
Visited: 04/26/2018

Ranger District reports the road is open as of late March, which is very early. Everything is dry here. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/coconino/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5339811

From the Community

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