Flagstaff, AZ: Humphreys Peak
While Humphreys is considered the easiest of the western high points—it's only 10 miles from the latte bars in downtown Flagstaff—the long-extinct volcano has a volatile personality. Snow is common; afternoon thunderstorms are notoriously violent; and fierce winds along the mile-long summit ridge have forced many a hiker to scramble up on all fours.
From the north end of the first parking lot for the Arizona Snowbowl off AZ 180, it's 3.5 miles up to the 11,800-foot saddle between Humphreys and Agassiz Peak, the second highest in Arizona. When the snow is deep, beware of the huge overhanging cornice as you trace the undulating ridge to the first of three false summits. From the real one, the north rim of the Grand Canyon is often visible, 80 miles away.
-Mapped by Bob Wold
Trail Facts
- Distance: 8.5
Waypoints
HUM001
Location: 35.3311576843262, -111.711822509766
Head out on Humphreys Trail for NE traverse of Arizona Snowbowl's grassy ski slopes. In .3 mi., trail enters shady woods and Kachina Peaks Wilderness
HUM002
Location: 35.3381385803223, -111.706192016602
Trail swings S; rays of sunlight peak through piney treetops
HUM003
Location: 35.3344306945801, -111.703750610352
Sign logbook by trail, then take hard L @ fork (trail on R leads to ski lifts). Continue gentle ascent on root-laced path
HUM004
Location: 35.3340377807617, -111.697341918945
Hike NE on narrow dirt trail that hugs forested slopes
HUM005
Location: 35.3389511108398, -111.694641113281
Steep, boulder-filled gully on trail's L side; head SE, switchbacking up
HUM006
Location: 35.3342552185059, -111.692504882812
Clearing in trees reveals expansive valley, distant wooded ridgelines to S
HUM007
Location: 35.3339500427246, -111.684440612793
Series of short switchbacks leads through treeline to a small saddle; look S to find Agassiz Peak's bald ridgeline
HUM008
Location: 35.3352584838867, -111.681930541992
Leave saddle; climb NW on Humphreys Trail along mtn.'s W face. Ahead, several false summits await along windy ridgeline
HUM009
Location: 35.3373222351074, -111.683792114258
Climb past first false summit on loose rock trail, heading N
HUM010
Location: 35.3410682678223, -111.682876586914
Cross second false summit, then begin NE ascent along rocky ridge of Humphreys
Trailhead
Location: 35.3313827514648, -111.711387634277
©Bob Wold
HUM011
Location: 35.3428344726562, -111.681091308594
Continue NE trek across third false summit
HUM012
Location: 35.3443908691406, -111.67879486084
High-altitude path cuts N through fragile alpine tundra (stay on trail); watch footing on skittish rocks @ summit ridge
HUM013
Location: 35.3465003967285, -111.67790222168
Humphreys Peak (12,633 ft.): See 100 mi. from AZ's windy high point (if clear, see Grand Canyon to N); retrace steps
Up the slopes
Location: 35.3333969116211, -111.71028137207
©Bob Wold
Through the woods
Location: 35.3372764587402, -111.705795288086
©Bob Wold
Wildflower
Location: 35.3365211486816, -111.704788208008
©Bob Wold
Views from false summit
Location: 35.3378829956055, -111.683776855469
Views above the wilderness from false summit. ©Bob Wold
Another fake summit
Location: 35.3407020568848, -111.683380126953
©Bob Wold
Approaching the saddle
Location: 35.3341522216797, -111.682014465332
©Bob Wold
Crossing treeline
Location: 35.3347091674805, -111.681861877441
©Bob Wold
Fork in the trail
Location: 35.3347587585449, -111.703979492188
©Bob Wold
Loose tundra sign
Location: 35.3447341918945, -111.678489685059
©Bob Wold
First views
Location: 35.3347091674805, -111.692192077637
©Bob Wold
Summit views
Location: 35.3468475341797, -111.677886962891
©Bob Wold
More summit views
Location: 35.3461418151856, -111.677932739258
©Bob Wold
