Abineau to Bear Jaw Loop

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Climb the steep and rocky Abineau Trail #127 into the inner basin of Abineau Canyon. From here, the route trends gently downwards on the Waterline Road (Trail) which brings mountain spring water to Flagstaff). Leave the waterline on the Bear Jaw Trail #26 which is rough with loose rocks and ruts, and descend back down to the trailhead.

Summer monsoons are common in this area and weather can change very quickly.

In winter, this trail is inaccessible due to road closures in the area.

Abineau and Bear Jaw trails are Northern Arizona classics, known for their rich aspen groves and stunning views of the San Francisco Peaks. That said, this loop is not for the faint of heart. It climbs steeply on rough loose terrain into high elevations. From the Abineau/Bear Jaw trailhead head up the trail through aspins and mixed conifers. At first, the trail is nice smooth dirt winding through the meadows as you climb up the lower slopes of the Peaks.

As the trail climbs the meadows giveaway to thicker conifer forests. Once above 10,000 feet, there may be debris from avalanches covering the trail at times. Abineau Trail #127 ends at the waterline trail, at which point the route turns down and follows the waterline for 2 miles. Leave the waterline on the Bear Jaw Trail and begin descending. Bear Jaw is a rough trail with loose rocks and ruts at the top but mellows out as you descend back to the trailhead.