Humphreys Peak is the High Point of Arizona, with summit elevation of 12,633 feet. It's located near Flagstaff, in the Coconino National Forest.
Because Humphreys holds the crown for the Arizona High Point, it's a popular destination for hikers. There are multiple routes up, but the Humphreys Peak Trail is the most common way to approach it. Starting from the parking lot at Arizona Snow Bowl, the trail heads into the forest after passing below a ski slope.
The trail is obvious the entire way up. In most places it is steep but no real rock climbing is required. There is a trail register after a mile or so - you should veer left at this register.
The forest begins to fade away after a few miles, as the elevation gets higher. Eventually you will find yourself hiking along rocky terrain, but the spectacular views that open up offset the loss of the beautiful forest greenery.
Even in the summer, you may see areas with snow. Also be prepared for extreme weather - when I activated in 2018, the winds were in excess of 50mph and at one point near where the photo above was taken, I was literally blown over! There are several false summits before you reach the peak, and the reduced oxygen at the high elevation will slow your progress.
The reward of reaching the summit after 5+ miles of tough hiking makes it all worthwhile. This is one of those "airplane-view" summit experiences, with stunning panorama landscapes in every direction.
Radio operation from Humphreys is truly a wonderful experience. There are zero manmade noise sources and the height advantage is obvious. In 2017 my son Jason used a 2 meter handheld and beam to easily work stations in Phoenix, over 150 miles away.
It's also a great place for HF, but you may need to set up slightly off the true summit because there are many other hikers. In 2017, we used some rocks to hold a push-up mast and inverted vee. Unfortunately a thunderstorm arrived soon after - you can see it over the neighboring peak in this photo, and about 10 minutes after a hasty take-down was necessary!
In September, 2018 I activated Humphreys for the Arizona 10-point Summit-to-Summit Madness event. The winds that day were very extreme, and although storms were all around, they were mostly lower down. But the temperature at the top was very cold! I set up next to a small rock wall and shivered for about 3 hours while operating.
I highly recommend doing this summit. Be prepared for harsh weather, as well as possible closures due to wildfire. Lighter gear will be helpful and be sure to bring plenty of hydration as there are no sources of water anywhere along the trail.
To reach the Trailhead, take N. Snow Bowl Rd from Route 180. Note that since this is in National Forest land, you will need a USFS Permit to leave your car parked while you hike. The TH is at the far North end of the parking lot.
Date First Activated by KR7RK: 16 July 2017
GPS Track Uploaded to SOTA Mapping Project Tracks Site: Yes
GPS Track Uploaded to SOTA Mapping Project Tracks Site: Yes
Approx Hiking Distance: 10.7mi
Approx Elevation Gain: 3,500'
Summit Elevation: 12,633'
Summit Grid Square: DM45di
Summit County: Coconino
ITU Zone: 6
CQ Zone: 3
