Pumpkin Trail to Bulls Basin Loop

The Pumpkin Trail to Bulls Basin Loop is a 12.3mi hard hike in the Kendrick Mountain Wilderness north of Flagstaff, Arizona. This hike is demanding, but the views from the highpoint atop Kendrick Mountain are beautiful. There is a shorter, more direct route to the summit, but this approach offers a somewhat less steep ascent and more varied scenery.

This is a tough hike with very little shade, so make sure you come prepared with lots of water and dress in layers. Poles and sturdy boots are recommended. Users report relying on offline navigation in some spots, so a downloaded GPS route is also recommended.

The hike begins from the trailhead on the road, but if you have a high-clearance vehicle, you can drive a mile further to a parking area. Hike east towards the base of the mountains on Pumpkin Trail #39, ascending to your left before reaching the split of the loop. Keep right on Pumpkin Trail, climbing up the ridge to the peak of Kendrick Mountain. You’ll settle into steep, narrow switchbacks to the top. From here, continue off the other side of the summit and then stay left onto Bull Basin Trail #40. You’ll descend along the side of the basin to the loop split, where you can retrace your steps to the trailhead.