Arizona · Hiking · Near Kachina Village

Big Bang

Big BangPhoto: Coconino NF Photography, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
9.1 mi
round trip
1,157 ft
climb
8,383 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jul, Sep
best months

Is Big Bang open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Coconino National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Coconino National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Big Bang is a hard hike in Arizona's Coconino National Forest, within the Flagstaff Ranger District. The trail is an out-and-back of about 9 miles, with a one-way elevation gain of 1,157 feet, taking you from a low of 7,194 feet to a high of 8,383 feet. The route is not an accessible trail, and its natural surface makes it a rugged climb rather than a smooth one. The nearest parking is at the Schultz Creek/Rocky Ridge trailhead. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the Ft Valley weather station, about 5 miles away, show May highs around 71°F and October highs around 66°F. That station sits roughly 1,000 feet below the trail's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. Several other trails sit right next to the route: the Apollo hike and the Schultz Creek-Quintana Trail, both about a tenth of a mile away. Climbers can head to the Tombstone Area, about 2 miles off, and Lockett Meadow Campground is about 8 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Black Barts RV Park

    Campground

    Campground · 4.1 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Subway

    Fast food

    On your way back · 3 mi
  • If it rains

    Museum of Northern Arizona Research Center

    Museum

    On your way back · 1 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Kachina Village

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Jul, Sep

    Best time to visit Big Bang

    Best months: May–July and September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      46° / 17°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      48° / 20°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      54° / 24°

      7 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 27°

      5 wet

    5. May

      71° / 33°

      4 wet

    6. Jun

      82° / 40°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 49°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 49°

      13 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 41°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      66° / 30°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      55° / 23°

      5 wet

    12. Dec

      46° / 16°

      7 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ft Valley, AZ, 5.2 mi away at 7,347 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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