Humphreys Peak Trail

"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."

"6/28/25- The forest is beautiful. The view is average at the top. The trail is very rocky. My main complaint is that it's 5 miles in each direction with long switchbacks. It would be faster if the trail just went straight to up for most of it. Lots of people on this trail. Apparently lots of flies on top without wind. Lots of parking and it's free. The forest service set up a tent at the trail head."

"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."

"Five stars isn’t even close. Humphreys Peak deserves its own rating system, like five mountain goats or a solid high five from Mother Nature herself. This hike is stupid beautiful, especially if you drag your tired ass out of bed at 3am like a true masochist. Get there early. Not just for the trail, but for the freakin’ sky. Zero light pollution. Absolute stargazer heaven. I stared up so long I almost forgot I was about to climb a mountain for fun. The hike itself is a dream if you’re into trees, dirt, and slowly questioning your life choices. Most of it winds through the woods, peaceful and quiet, until you pop above the treeline and the wind decides to test your balance and sense of humor. At the summit, it wasn’t just windy, t was comically violent. I was genuinely laughing while trying not to be launched into New Mexico. Plan on 5 to 6 hours if you move nonstop, but don’t be that guy. Stop. Breathe. Snap some pics. Eat a snack. Feel superior to the people turning back halfway. Highly recommend. Bring layers, bring snacks, bring a good attitude, and prepare to be wind-slapped into joy."

"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"