Kendrick Peak

Weather:  71º  dry, sunny

About this Hike:   AZ Wilderness Brewing Company spotlights hiking areas in our state via social media posts. They also brewed a beer called Kendrick Kolsch.  A few months ago AZ Wilderness posted about this beer and its namesake hiking area, and I was intrigued. 

I'm a sucker for any hike with a reward at the end, and Kendrick Peak does not disappoint.  The fun begins when you turn off Highway 180 just north of the Nordic Center and onto dirt forest roads.  I'd say these are good forest roads, and they are not shelf roads at all.  However, the first few miles really show the toll a rainy summer can take on dirt track.  The road is full of crater-size potholes.  Extreme caution is advised to navigate around these without destroying your vehicle's suspension.  

Eventually the road conditions do improve.  It's about seven miles over dirt to the well-maintained trailhead.  I was surprised to find a freshly painted latrine and even trash receptacles at the trailhead.  Luxurious, indeed by US Forest Service standards. 

A year ago I did the Bear Jaw Abineau Loop in the not-so-far-off Kachina Peaks Wilderness.  Kendrick lacks the beautiful old-growth forest that is so prevalent on Bear Jaw.  It's not that there isn't any forest—in fact there's plenty of ponderosa, aspen, and some firs—it's just smaller and less dense than other parts of Coconino Forest.

There is some fire damage, which is especially prevalent near the peak.  The hike of about 4.5 miles to the peak is over very well maintained trail.  The elevation gain of just under 3,000 feet is steady but gradual—nothing super steep.  

The first 'false summit' brings you to an area of intense fire damage.  In this area is a small cabin, although I'm certain it's a replica of an older structure.  The trees around it are far too scorched for a wood cabin to have survived in this area.

A little further up the trail and you'll arrive at the Kendrick Fire Lookout.  By fire lookout standards, this one is fairly modern, being composed of nearly all steel.  I couldn't find any road up Kendrick Peak, but there is a helipad next to the fire lookout.  Engravings on the helipad concrete indicate it was built in 1979.  Perhaps the lookout tower was built with supplies air lifted up Kendrick Peak? 

Standing on the helipad is also a good location for enjoying the scenery.  Today was a good air quality day, and the views stretched for miles.  To the north the Grand Canyon was visible.  Humphrey's Peak was also very visible as were rolling green hills and tiny ranches far in the valley below.