You can find almost any kind of hike that you like on Mount Elden, which rises 9,299 feet from the north edge of Flagstaff. Mountain bikers and equestrians can ride most of the trails here as well. Fatman's Loop Trail #25 is just 2 miles, but it has a few steep sections with an elevation gain of 600 feet and some views to the east. It's closed to horses, and the trailhead is on the west side of US 89 just north of the Peaks/Mormon Lake Ranger Districts office. For more of a challenge, start at this trailhead and climb up the rocky east slopes all the way to the summit on Elden Lookout Trail #4 in 6 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 2,400 feet; this is too rough and steep for mountain bikers or equestrians. Sunset Trail #23 begins in the north, just west of Schultz Tank on Schultz Pass Road (FR 420) and crosses meadows and forests on a gradual climb to Sunset Park in 8 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 1,300 feet. A look at a map will show several loop possibilities from Sunset Trail or continuing on to Elden Lookout Tower at the summit. Many other hikes can be done too, as all of the Mount Elden trails interconnect. The hiking season runs May-October, perhaps longer on the drier eastern slope.