Mount Elden

Mount Elden or Elden Mountain (Hopi: Hovi'itstuyqa) is an extinct lava dome located in central Coconino County northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona. The mountain is named after John Elden, one of the region's earliest Anglo settlers, who established a homestead on its lower slopes and grazed sheep on the open grasslands below during the late 19th century.

Its exposed, rocky slopes are a prominent feature visible from almost any point in Flagstaff, rising steeply by nearly 2,400 feet (730 m) to reach an elevation of 9,301 feet (2,835 m). In 1977, the Radio Fire, a human-caused wildfire, destroyed much of the vegetation on the southern and southeastern slopes, burning 4,600 acres (1,900 hectares).

Despite its rugged appearance, steep relief, and nearly 15 square miles (40 km²) of surface area, Mount Elden is easily accessible via an extensive, well-developed road and non-motorized trail system that is part of the Coconino National Forest.

Mount Elden is one of six hundred volcanoes that dot the San Francisco volcanic field in Northern Arizona. It is currently dormant with the likelihood of eruption in the near future being believed to be extremely remote.