Discover the Splendor of Aspen Nature Loop

This place is gorgeous, I’ve been here before but to ski, I wouldn’t imagine all the beautiful nature that is under that snow! For sure it’s an easy hike, you can park where you would normally park before skiing, the path is kind of marked but I wouldn’t imagine recommend using maps just to guide you thru the trail! Once you go inside the woods it’s so magical I did really loved it.

The trail is absolutely beautiful, easy to follow, and the scenery is stunning. However, I want to share something important for anyone planning to hike here, especially families with young children. We hiked this trail with our kids and hardly saw any other people. After we got back, we were watching the videos we had taken and realized there was a bear standing just a few meters behind us near the trees!!. We had no idea it was there at the time. We also heard what sounded like snakes in the brush along the trail. We couldn’t see them, but the sounds were close enough to make us very cautious. This is a beautiful place, but it’s also a reminder that you’re in a true wildlife area. If you’re hiking here, stay alert, keep children close, avoid hiking alone if possible, and come prepared for the possibility of encountering wildlife. It’s an amazing trail, but it’s definitely not one I’d take lightly.

We actually missed this place on the way from Grand Canyon back to Sedona, but since we had to check out of our hotel in Sedona at 10am and couldn't check into our hotel in Phoenix until 4pm we decided to drive back to the Arizona Snowball and Aspen Nature Loop. This was so worth the extra drive. Thankfully again we were able to find a convenient parking place close to the trail head. The loop trail is easy to walk and of course, loops right back close to where we began. My kids did not have any issues on the path. We were there in mid October and the leaves were yellowing. At one point the wind picked up and there were falling leaves everywhere. My kids were playing a game trying to catch the leaves as they swirled down to the ground.

This place is beautiful in every season. Uploading 50 picture is not enough

The hike was nice. My gf wanted to go see the trees changing colors but they were all leafless 😄 the hike was quick and easy. We took a break and watched people fall at the ski spot. There was bathrooms at the ski spot also. I’d go back again perhaps when we know for sure the trees are filled with leafs :)