Humphreys Peak Trail

Trail Series, Part 41 Is there a bad time to go hiking in Flagstaff? Not that I’m aware of, but Fall is certainly a GREAT time for this! Just as the days become shorter and the temperatures cool, the Aspen leaves adorn the forest with a glorious yellow hue that seems to first absorb, and then reflect, the sunshine. While not the only location for getting your Fall groove on, we found “Humphrey’s Peak Trail” (and its surrounding environs) to be generous providers of the vibes we were seeking. None of the trails that we traveled were paved and their difficulty ranged from easy to moderate. However, as you travel up the mountain you’ll find that the rocky outcroppings become more frequent and the hike becomes more strenuous. Before long you’ll find yourself at 10,000 feet, so you’ll be in much thinner air than you’re likely used to and your water/rest breaks should increase accordingly. Each trail we explored was well traveled, but the buddy system is still recommended (if for no other reason than to have someone to marvel at the beauty with). Wildlife sightings are common, but it is the rare sightings of Big Foot that are the most cherished. 😉 Ample parking and portable restrooms can be found at the trailhead located at the end of Lot 1 of the Arizona Snowbowl Resort. For those interested in traditional restrooms and/or a restaurant, both are located at the resort and an easy walk from this parking lot. If you visit Flagstaff in the Fall, please don’t find yourself “leaving” without experiencing the “leafing” all around you this time of year! And that’s…Henry’s Take. Photo credit @danavoros 📸 #flagstafffallcolors #trailseries

Great hike. 3300 feet in elevation gain over 4.5 miles is no joke. We started early so we could avoid mid-day storms. Start time was 6am and we were at the car by 1pm. Storms were rolling and rained hard shortly there after. Don't get caught on the mountain in a storm!

Started at 6:20 and ended at 2:20 on the dot. Solo hiker first time up and by far my highest elevation and longest hike. Conditions were clear skies, mid 70’s on the trail, but extremely gusty at the summit. Made it to the saddle at about 8:40 and many hikers were turning back at or just past that point due to the high winds above the treeline. A couple other hikers decided to push on so I joined them to see how far I could go. There were 30mph gusts on the ridge line and were manageable up to the last false summit. Took breaks every couple minutes because that last 800ft in elevation gain is killer! At the last bit going up to the summit the wind got unbelievably rough and kept blowing me down, and thought I’d have to turn back, it was very scary! Scrambled the rest of the way to the top and took just long enough to snap a pic. Big thanks to the hikers that let me join them the rest of the way otherwise I wouldn’t have made it. Beautiful hike, trail was very rocky and lots of roots and well marked. Very challenging but not too technical. Busy trail, I was never further from another person than a 1 minute walk in either direction which brought me peace of mind without losing the peace of nature.

Beautiful mainly wooded hike thru dense lush forest on wide, well maintained trail. The trail is well-marked and generally easy to follow, tho becomes a bit more challenging above tree line (11,800 feet) as it transitions to rocks; look for posts , well-packed soil, footprints and cairns. A lot of elevation gain to the top, about 3,500 feet. Great views into the caldera from saddle. Saw plenty deer, grouse and other small animals and birds. NOTE: during monsoon season (July through September), get an early start in order to be off the mountain before the thunder storms build up. Storms often build up on the peak around noon; 5 or 6 am is not too early to start. Sunrise in the summer is very early so there's plenty of light. Another advantage of early start is a lot less people and the chance to have the summit to yourself for a little while.

6 to 8 hours is what I would plan on for the hike. Getting to flagstaff a day early would helpmwoth altitude sickness. It is rocky footing so wear solid shoes. Great feeling to make it to the top.