Weather: 51ยบ, cloudy, occasional wind
About this Hike: Bear Jaw Abineau has become one of my favorites—if not my favorite—hiking loop in the greater Flagstaff area. When I last hiked the loop back in early August, I was intrigued by a sign indicating Inner Basin access.
The Inner Basin and Lockett Meadow are something of a bucket list hike. I've heard the basin is the best spot for aspen fall color around Flagstaff. I've also heard on fall weekends it is an absolute free-for-all on a scary dirt road that accesses the basin.
For the past couple years that main road (FR-552) has been closed for repairs. While the road is closed, the basin remains open, although it requires a lengthy hike to access it. My study of maps indicated that hiking up Bear Jaw Trail and joining Waterline Road would be a viable alternative access route to the basin.
This ended up being a fantastic hike. Near the Bear Jaw Abineau parking area and in the lower elevations, the aspens still clung to their leaves. A few trees were surprisingly still green. This past week Arizona has seen a large tropical event bringing high wind and heavy rain. Despite unfavorable conditions for fall color, my expectation was that some stands of aspen would continue clinging to their colorful foliage. My instinct was correct.
When Bear Jaw topped out at Waterline Road, I turned left toward the Inner Basin. The first mile or so was an unremarkable walk along a decommissioned road. Views toward the Grand Canyon barely peeked through the dense foliage. A lot of deadfall blocked the path, although it was never difficult to navigate around.
Waterline Road slowly descends toward the basin. At a large rock slide area, the views opened up. A cold wind also picked up in this area, while the previously barren aspens began to show some color again. Lockett Meadow Campground was clearly visible below. Cinder cones and red mountains dotted the distant landscape, while the Grand Canyon was visible to the north. With controlled burns and smoke along US-180 and thick clouds overhead, I didn't expect Grand Canyon to be visible today. This breathtaking viewpoint was punctuated by some red aspen foliage. I always like seeing the rare red and orange aspens instead of the dominant yellow color.
Waterline Road joined the Inner Basin. I veered onto the trail toward Lockett Meadow Campground. This took me through a wonderland of dense aspens, much of which still held onto their yellow leaves. The forest floor was a carpet of yellow aspen leaves and grasses. When I joined the trail, the sign indicated 1.7 miles to the campground. Since this was to be an out-and-back hike, I was leery of time and if I wanted to try and reach the campground. I hiked for about 30 minutes, taking in the majesty of the Inner Basin. The forest began to change with more meadows, grasses, and denser spruces / firs mixing in. The map indicated I hadn't made as much progress as I would have liked toward the campground. At 1pm I decided to turn back, placated by the fact I could observe the campground at the rock slide viewpoint higher up the mountain.
As I hiked out, I noted snow on the higher peaks. With thick, gray clouds and a chilly wind, it felt wintry, despite being a moody fall afternoon.
With road closures, fewer crowds, and a little creative detouring, 2026 ended up being a great year to experience all that fall has to offer at Inner Basin.
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