Region
Highlights
- Humphreys Peak is the highest peak in Arizona.
- It is the highest of a group of extinct volcanic peaks known as the San Francisco Peaks.
- The summit can be most easily reached by hiking the 4.8 mile Humphreys Trail that begins at the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort in the Coconino National Forest.
- The last 1 mile of the trail traverses the only region of tundra in Arizona, at over 11,500 feet.
- On a clear day you can see views of the Grand Canyon to the north.
Routes
/-111.677913473564,35.346406504045,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
76 summits • 10.4 mi • 3,238 ft gain • 5 hr 54 min • Class 1
/-111.677913473564,35.346406504045,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
3 summits • 10.0 mi • 3,238 ft gain • 7 hr 35 min
/-111.677913473564,35.346406504045,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
3 summits • 10.6 mi • 3,621 ft gain • 8 hr 4 min
/-111.677913473564,35.346406504045,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
2 summits • 7.5 mi • 3,333 ft gain • 7 hr 26 min
/-111.677913473564,35.346406504045,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 10.1 mi • 3,267 ft gain • 9 hr 0 min
/-111.677913473564,35.346406504045,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 11.0 mi • 3,512 ft gain • 7 hr 49 min
/-111.677913473564,35.346406504045,11,0.00,0.00/320x240@2x?access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoicGVha2VyeSIsImEiOiJjampra3Z0bnAxeTVnM3FteHlybHY3b2p1In0.7a5dEa5-995VUv8ceHHNmw)
1 summit • 9.0 mi • 3,622 ft gain
Latest summits

"Third try was indeed the charm - so good to finally get a win! My first successful summit of Humphreys in 2022, hopefully not my last. We're back firmly into three-season hike territory (aka basically no snow at all), rather than a winter snowshoe/crampon/snow hike. We started a little later in the morning than originally intended, but these things happen and work has been crazy. With no snow, though, I was less worried about starting alpine-early. We brought our microspikes but never needed them. The day was beautiful, a little breezy and with some low-hanging clouds to start. We just missed a cloud strike the summit and saddle and cover everything in hoarfrost; it was melting and flaking off by the time we arrived. The weather was overall good until the saddle with the Weatherford trail, at which point the wind picked up. All along the exposed ridgeline from the saddle to the summit, the wind got progressively worse. Strangely (but thankfully), it was relatively calm at the summit itself, just a light breeze. The second we stepped back down, though, the wind was howling even stronger and it was icy cold. I had my soft windbreaker on and then my puffy down jacket over that, along ..." — psychikingjes • May 21, 2022

"#19 for our Sate highpoint bid. Started out at 1pm from the carpark, trail at some points was still covered by snow, about 2/3 of the way up we lost the trail a few times - was difficult to figure out a few of the switchbacks. Arrived later than what we had anticipated to the summit 5pm, perfect weather, great views at the top. Headed down, stoped for a quick meal, and continued down in the dark (we expected this and had headlamps) lost the trail again a few times and found ourselves in some knee deep snow... my Suunto watch saved us. Using the breadcrumb feature we were able to stay on track and find our way back to the Trail Head around 10:30pm.
In all, really enjoyed this climb. My son (Finn) found his limit and was able to push past it, finding he had more in the tank that what he thought, First decent in the dark, highest elevation hike and a great adventure overall." — CravinoCrew • Apr 30, 2022

"It was a beautiful day on the mountain. Sadly, a summit was just not in the cards for several reasons. We got an early start; 3 AM wakeup, on the road by 4 AM, at the trailhead by 4:30 AM, and on the route by 4:45ish AM. We crossed the ski slopes and dodged the two huge snow cats already out grooming the slopes even in the pre-dawn darkness. After putting on our snowshoes, we started up the ski slope, but cut back into the woods to avoid the sheer number of snow cats out. Plus, the Snow Bowl has gotten cranky about uphill travel and wants you to register and have a pink armband and be logged if you're going to do it - and they require you to pick up that armband between limited hours the day before. We just didn't have the chance to get one, and didn't want to get in trouble. So, we veered into the woods... and snowshoed through snow deep enough that at one point I post-holed down to my waist. One snowshoe came off and the other wasn't helping. That was fun to get out of in the darkness... Things were better once we hit the trail, but it wasn't super well defined. We met half of a group coming back just before dawn, they had turned around at some point above because they were fatig..." — psychikingjes • Mar 12, 2022

"I climbed this peak solo at the end of a three-week hiking trip through Colorado, Utah, and Arizona. The trail is fairly easy to follow, but there are a few spots that can be confusing. For this hike, if you think you've gone off-trail, then you probably have. I recommend having a GPS or map/compass with you. The first three miles are fairly gradual, but the last 1.75 miles (above the treeline and after the saddle) become much steeper. As of June 2021, the wooden sign that said "HUMPHREYS PEAK: 12,633 ft." is gone. I heard that it got stolen.
I took the main Humphrey's Peak Trail, which starts at the Arizona Snow Bowl. The trail is fairly obvious until you reach the boulder field, which you do not want to cross. Instead, continue up the path that looks like what you've already been climbing. After the saddle, where it becomes very rocky, there are wooden posts marking which way you should be going. In total, you will have to ascend three false summits before you reach the true summit of Humphreys Peak.
Overall, this is not a super difficult hike if you are slightly prepared. I do recommend bringing trekking poles because the way down can be slippery due to loose rock. One gir..." — Noodles • Jun 15, 2021

"October 12, 2020. U.S. Highpoint 3/50. I was worried that this was going to be a really rough trail after I read trail reviews on AllTrails, but if you are an experienced peak bagger this trail is not an issue. Some roots and rocks did slow me down a bit, but it was not a slow crawl like other extremely rocky trails that I have been on. The false summits were kind of a bummer, every time I thought I was close it was a false summit. This trail was not crowded (compared to SoCal trails) and everyone was very friendly. When I got back, the parking lot was full of people going to the Aspen Nature Loop Trail to take fall photos. " — runningvegan • Oct 12, 2020

"I've wanted to do this peak for years. It is two hikes in one, trail head to saddle and saddle to summit. The false summits deterred a few people on the trail and they called it good. All I knew is what that wooden sign looked like and that's what I wanted. 10 hours total, started at 8am and saw the sun go down from the parking lot. Clear in the Flagstaff area, but could not make out the Grand Canyon. What an incredible area. " — puddlepirate • Sep 16, 2020

"7.30.2020~Humphreys Peak, AZ (12,633’) The State Highpoint. 10 miles, 3,400’ gain, 4:18hrs. The trail was really rugged. I couldn’t really flow with my scamper. Great challenge. I lived in Lake Havasu City, AZ for 5 years when I was a child so it holds a special place in my heart ❤️ I could see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon from the summit. I also didn’t realize it was a ski resort (Arizona Snowbowl) Neat :@)
https://youtu.be/r_HEN6TSFI0" — paula.raimondi • Jul 30, 2020

"There are some days when I just don’t have it. Today was one of those days. I prepared as usual and drove to the trailhead. However, until I got out on the trail, I just didn’t have the energy. I knew this early on but I kept pushing forward. Finally after 3 miles, I felt the need to throw in the towel. I sat down on a boulder and contemplated the situation. The exact reason why I was even in Arizona was to climb this peak. Am I just going to give up? I noticed the time was about 9 AM, so what am I going to do with the rest of the day if I have no energy? I also realized that it is unlikely that I would ever attempt this again. After about 10 minutes of deep thought, I felt a little more energized. I decided to press forward more and hope for the best. I began making progress, and before long I was at a point of no return. I had to continue to the summit now! It certainly took me longer than I expected, but I didn’t care. I stood on top of the mountain. (State High Point #4)." — MikeTeeples • Jul 25, 2019

"15.45km return with 1,200m gain in 4:30hrs. Some de-tour on descent.
My belt got broken right at the trailhead. It was ok during the ascent, but had to hold onto and pull up my pants regularly on descent :) " — alexp • Aug 13, 2018
"My first peak out west. It was so close to Flagstaff, why not? And it is a high point too. Not that I am working on that, but why not? Started around 9100 feet. Trail not difficult. Pockets of snow at higher elevation, but no issues. The summit was gusty. Happy I had my poles to help keep me upright. Had a light headache most of the time above 11,000 feet. After I got back to my car, I was nauseous for the rest of the day. Went back to the hostel to sleep it off. " — newenglandwarrior • Jun 11, 2017