Distance: 11 miles RTType: Out and BackSummit Elevation: 12,633 ft.Elevation Gain: 3,300 ft.Difficulty: DifficultLocation: Flagstaff, AZTrailhead: Humphrey’s Peak TrailDogs Allowed: Yes. There are no services available but there are 14 camping sites which are free! Elevation: 12,633 feet Elevation Gain: 3,366 feet Location: Kachina Peaks Wilderness (Arizona) Difficulty: Moderate Crowds: Busy during summer months Time: 5-10 hours Season: Summer to Fall. Soak in the views, eat some snacks, reflect on how small we are in this world, etc. Humphreys is Arizona’s premier high-altitude hiking experience. The summit sits at 12,635 feet, so be prepared to … Elevation gain is 3,313 feet. The highest point in all of Arizona, Humphreys Peak towers above the surrounding region.Millions of years ago a massive stratovolcano called San Francisco Mountain stood around 16,000 feet tall, but it eventually collapsed leaving an arc of peaks which rim the Inner Basin. I'm Kara and I travel the U.S. solo with my fury companion, Monty. Mt. A moderately difficult, 4.8-mile trail leaves from the resort and leads to the 12,633-foot summit of Humphreys Peak. The peaks are the home of the Katsinas or Kachinas, special beings that bring rain to the Hopi's parched fields in summer. The San Francisco Peaks were named in the 17th century by Franciscan priests at a mission at the Hopi village of Oraibi. It does include 5,200 ft of elevation gain but the grade is almost entirely even throughout. The trail leading to Humphreys Peak begins in the Snowbowl parking lot and ascends 3,343 feet up to a total elevation of 12,635 feet. Overview 3.7 miles on the Inner Basin Trail #29 to the Weatherford Trail #102.Follow the Weatherford for 2.45 miles to the Humphreys Summit Trail. The alpine forest trail is located just north of Flagstaff. Review of Humphrey's Peak Trail - San Francisco Peaks Reviewed August 28, 2018 As a regular state high pointer, I found Humphreys Peak to be a refreshingly straightforward hike. Because you have another five miles and -3,200 feet to go. The trail leading into the heart of … Native Americans are believed to have made the first ascent of the mountain. The Humphreys Peak Trail is located 11.6 miles from Flagstaff, Arizona (AZ) in Coconino National Forest. Together we embrace the nomad lifestyle for it has allowed us to live our life the way we want by traveling and hiking the places we’ve dreamed of! Charles Dana, Assistant Secretary of War, called him "one of the loudest swearers" he ever heard and a man of "distinguished and brilliant profanity." Total Elevation Gain: 3369 ft / 1026 m: Round-Trip Distance: 10.9 mi / 17.5 km: Route: Humphreys Peak trail: Trailhead: Humphreys Peak TH 9264 ft / 2823 m: Quality: 9 (on a subjective 1-10 scale) Route Conditions: On the San Francisco Peaks, there is no off-trail hiking to protect the endemic and endangered plant, the San Francisco Peaks Groundsel. Catch Humphreys Peak Trail #151 from the parking lot and prepare yourself for a grueling hike up and down Arizona’s largest mountain. This iteration includes a chance to snag the state high point Humphreys Peak at 12,633ft. The surveys, done in the 1870s, were led by Captain George Wheeler. Working remotely has changed my life and allowed me to experience the places I've been dreaming of. Hi there! It rises to an elevation of 12,637 feet (3,852 meters). You’ve probably read mixed reviews about what it’s like to climb Humphreys Peak. It is also the 26th most prominent mountain in the lower 48 states with an elevation rise of 6,053 feet. But since John and I came from Phoenix, which is about 1300 feet, our total elevation change in less than 12 hours was over 13,000 feet. The mountain is located in Flagstaff which is about 2.5 hours from the Phoenix area and about an hour from Sedona as well. This is a strenuous rocky trail with over 3,000 feet elevation gain. You did it. There also is a sign you can take a picture next to and rock walls built up to barricade yourself from the wind and eat your lunch. Deep in the Aspens, this area is an autumn lover’s dream! The best and most popular time to hike Humphrey’s Peak would be in the fall right after the summer monsoon season and right before winter hits. This is an out and back trail to Humphreys Peak in Coconino National Forest. You’ll know you’ve reached Humphrey’s Peak because it is the very last peak along the ridgeline headed that direction. You can map your directions from here or follow the directions below! This Humphreys Peak trail guide is a warning and an example of why you need to take this hike seriously and be prepared. Welcome to the tallest peak in Arizona! The trail gains over 3,000 vertical feet from the starting point and leads through a dramatic range of forests. The San Francisco Peaks are composed of six peaks, including the four highest in Arizona: Humphreys Peak, 12,637 feet (3,851 m), Agassiz Peak, 12,356 feet (3,766 m), Fremont Peak, 11,969 feet (3,648 m), Aubineau Peak, 11,838 feet (3,608 m), Rees Peak, 11,474 feet (3,497 m), and Doyle Peak, 11,460 feet (3,493 m). The trail rises over 3,000 feet in elevation over approximately 4.5 miles, and takes you through alpine forest to alpine sage above treeline. Humphreys Peak trail Distance: 10.5 miles total out and back Elevation gain: 3,353 feet Difficulty: 5+ Notes: The tallest peak in all of Arizona, this trail is for our avid hikers with lots of experience, and training for the altitude. If you hang a right it’ll lead you towards Agassiz Peak. There is a path that leads you across an open meadow and under the ski lifts to the trailhead within the forest. The trail switchbacks north and south as it makes its way east uphill. The alpine forest trail is located just north of Flagstaff. Humphreys Peak is the highest mountain in Arizona and resides in Coconino County, in the northern part of the state. Humphreys was a Civil War General, who led Union troops at Gettysburg, Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, and others. Your lungs may be feeling it at the start, but once you get north of 10,000ft you will really be breathing heavy. Folks in decent shape can do the hike in a single day. The Humphrey’s hike starts at 9,221 and covers just over 10 miles with 5573 elevation gain and 5576 loss. The weather was nice and cool, the hike is a longer one and has a lot of elevation gain, the amount of people on trail tapers as you get higher into the trees, most of the hike to the saddle is shaded and in the trees, after the saddle you meander through lava rocks and have a brief almost scramble at the end to the summit. Preparation saves lives. Go ahead and get your Snaps and ‘Grams at the summit sign — you’ve earned it. The padres named the mission and the peaks for St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan order. At this elevation, the risk of getting stuck in a storm and struck by lightening is high, let alone the risk of forest fires. 12 BEST Phoenix Holiday events to attend this year. Hikers must follow the trail above timberline and not venture cross-country to avoid damaging the alpine tundra. The mountain had kept tricking me into what I thought was the top. Humphreys Peak lies within 18,960-acre Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area. As you ascend there will be clearings between the trees, providing beautiful views out into the wilderness. But the trail is easy to follow and well maintained. The hike starts just north of 9,000ft and picks up consistent elevation until you arrive at the summit. Once you’ve gotten your fill of views and your picture with the sign you’ll head back down the way you came. Humphreys Peak Hike: An Overview. This is where you enter and begin your trek up to Humphrey’s Peak. Humphreys Peak Trail. Keep reading) Elevation: 12,635 feet Vertical gain: 3,500 feet Bathrooms: Port-a-johns near the trailhead Time: 8 hours, including 30 minutes at the summit Humphreys’ Reputation. On clear days hikers can see the Grand Canyon from the summit. The first two miles/1,500 feet of the trail are very easy with gradual elevation gain. Humphreys Peak and the San Francisco Peaks are sacred and holy mountains to Native American tribes, including the Hopi, Zuni, Havasupai, and Navajo. The Katsinas live in the mountains for part of the year before taking flight during the summer monsoon season when they fly as rainclouds to nourish crops. Groups above treeline are limited to a maximum of 12 people. The Hopi, living east of the mountains, revere the San Francisco Peaks or Nuva'tuk-iya-ovi. As a regular state high pointer, I found Humphreys Peak to be a refreshingly straightforward hike. Humphreys Peak is the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet and one of the most scenic viewpoints in the San Francisco Peaks. The Humphrey’s summit is 12,633, which is only about 7000 feet lower then the Kilimanjaro summit. The switchbacks end at the saddle which is a nice place to take a break. Elevation Gain: 3,300 feet . Humphreys, you are standing on the state’s highest peak and are rewarded with a 360° panoramic view that is unparalleled anywhere in Arizona, taking in hundreds of square miles on a clear day. You’ll want to take it slow, be sure of your footing, and probably layer up! On clear days hikers can see the Grand Canyon from the summit. The Hopi have long made pilgrimages to the peaks, leaving items at sacred sites. You’ll want to start very early and be extremely cautious of mid-afternoon spontaneous weather changes and thunderstorms. The popular 4.75-mile-long trail is moderate but can be strenuous for lowlanders. Arizona, United States, North America. Humphrey’s Peak was challenging yet rewarding- exactly something you’d expect from the tallest peak of any western state. There's nothing technical about it. Humphrey’s Peak Trail begins from the Arizona Snow Bowl Ski Resort! Humphreys Peak and the greater San Francisco Mountain is part of the Kachina Peaks Wilderness Area, which includes 18,960 acres. Although it is a bit of a drive to the other side of the mountain, Lockett Meadow Campground is another option for camping. 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