Hike Humphreys Peak – HikingGuy.com

Humphreys Peak, Arizona’s highest point, is a classic hike. From the top you can see all the way to the Grand Canyon. The trail takes you through pine forests and above the tree line, providing a truly unique Arizona experience. In this guide, I’m going to make hiking easy.

In this guide:

Video and step-by-step instructions
Plan your hike
Insider Tips and Recommendations

Where is Humphreys Peak Hike?

Humphreys Peak Hike Location — Humphreys Peak is located about 30 minutes from Flagstaff in the northern part of Arizona.

The hike begins at the Arizona Snowbowl ski area. The ski area leases the area from the Coconino National Forest. Use this trailhead address:
9300 N Snow Bowl Rd, Flagstaff, Arizona 86001

Humphreys Peak Hiking Parking 1 — As you approach the ski area, look for signs to the Humphreys Peak hiker parking lot, which is at the start of the ski area.

Humphreys Peak Hiking Parking 2 — The parking lot is huge and you should have no problem finding a space.

Hiking Parking 3 at Humphreys Peak — The hike begins at the back of the parking lot.

The hike begins at over 9,200 feet. Expect the air to be thin. This region is known as “Arizona’s Little Colorado.”

Equipment Recommendations

This is a high altitude mountain trek and you need to prepare accordingly. Bring the 10 essentials and prepare for the worst.
The weather in the mountains is variable. At least prepare for cooler and windier conditions above the tree line.
Most people have phone reception throughout the hike, but I chose to also bring a satellite communicator.
1 to 2 liters of water is enough most of the time, unless it is very hot. There are no water sources along the hike.
Hiking poles can be useful on steep slopes.
If you’re hiking early in the season, you may need micro-spikes for snowy sections.

Humphreys Peak Trail Maps

Humphreys Peak Hiking Trail Sign — The trail is popular and well marked with signs. The final stretch above the tree line can be difficult to follow in places.

Elevation Profiles

Humphreys Peak Hike Elevation — The hike is pretty simple, you go up, then back down. The first half of the climb is in the trees, then the last kilometer is completely exposed.

Humphreys Peak Hiking Tips

Hike Humphreys Peak in the snow — Humphreys Peak is usually covered in snow in winter and spring. When covered in snow, this is not a “normal” hike and requires experience hiking in the mountains in winter.

The summit rises to over 12,000 feet and you may feel the effects of altitude sickness. Staying in Flagstaff or at altitude beforehand can help you acclimatize. If you experience a severe headache, become disoriented, or feel nauseous, you are suffering from the effects of altitude. Stop and rest until the symptoms disappear. If they get worse, go down until you feel better.
The trail is generally snow-free from June to October.
During the hiking season, the area above the tree line is completely exposed and susceptible to thunderstorms. If you hear thunder, be prepared to turn around and go back down. Start at sunrise to maximize your chances of avoiding afternoon storms. The area above the tree line can also be very windy.
There is no official camping along the hike, but dispersed camping is permitted below 11,400 feet and away from the ski area.

Humphreys Peak Hiking Route

Hiking route to Humphreys Peak 2 — The hike begins at the end of the parking lot. Turn right to go up. Do not take the path going down to the left.

Hiking route to Humphreys Peak 3 — Follow the signs through the ski area.

Hiking route to Humphreys Peak 1 — Follow the trail onto the ski slopes.

Hiking route to Humphreys Peak 5 — At about 0.8 km you leave the ski slope and enter the trees.

Hiking route to Humphreys Peak 6 — And soon after, you will enter the wilderness of Kachina Peaks.

The area is named for the Hopi spiritual beings, or Kachinas, some of whom, according to Hopi mythology, live here from July to December. Humphreys Peak is considered sacred to many indigenous peoples, including the Hopi, Navajo, and Apache.

Humphreys Peak 7 Hiking Route — This is a real trail that winds uphill through the pine forest.

Hiking route to Humphreys Peak 8 — At about 3 km you have a view from the trees over the scree field.

If you look up from the scree field, you might see some shiny objects in the distance: pieces of wreckage from a B-24 bomber that crashed here in 1944. After the crash, Many visitors, not knowing it had been there for a while, kept reporting another plane crash on the mountain, so much so that the Forest Service blew up the wreckage in 1950. A few pieces of it still remain .

Humphreys Peak 9 Hiking Route — At about 3.5 miles you reach the junction with the Weatherford Trail. Do the right thing.

Humphreys Peak 10 Hiking Route — The crossroads is at the level of the saddle, with a view to the east.

Humphreys Peak 11 Hiking Route — There is also a traffic sign at the intersection.

Humphreys Peak 12 Hiking Route — Looking toward Humphreys Peak from the saddle, you’ll see the false summits along the way.

From here to the top, it’s exposed. If you see bad weather coming, it makes sense to turn around and head back.

Humphreys Peak 14 Hiking Route — This part of the hike follows the left side of the ridge. As long as you have left, everything is fine.

Humphreys Peak 13 Hiking Route — Look for these trail posts along the way. They are particularly useful when the trail is rocky.

Humphreys Peak 15 Hiking Route — The beginning of this exposed section is very steep, then becomes a little easier as you approach the true summit.

Humphreys Peak 16 Hiking Route — And there you have it, the summit! From there, simply turn around and go back the way you came.

State’s 50 Highlights VLog Video

This guide was written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hello, I’m Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoor guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone. This site is different because it gives detailed instructions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn’t work so you don’t waste money. I do not do sponsored or promoted content; I only share gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would do with family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn’t do it without people like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram or subscribing to my monthly newsletter.