HUMPHREYS PEAK (3851m), Arizona Print E-mail
USA - USA 2003-2006
Written by Florin Panaitescu   
Tuesday, 09 September 2008 21:15

Humphreys Peak (3851 m) is a dormant volcano and it was named after the general A. A. Humphreys. It is the highest point in Arizona.  It belongs to San Francisco Mountain and it is estimated that they were reaching altitudes up to 6000 m. There are two main routes to the top: Humphreys Peak trail and Weatherford Trail. During the wintertime, in order to proceed on the mountain, it is necessary a permit, which can be obtained from a ranger station. I followed Humphreys Peak trail, which requires a 1000 m height gain. The trailhead is close to Arizona Snow Bowl, which is a ski resort. After I have signed in the registry, (the rangers should know that someone is on the mountain) I started to hike underneath the ski lifts towards the forest. Because it was winter, at the beginning of April, I did not find the trail. I encounter a ski trace and I hiked along. I reached the ridge that separates Humphreys Peak from Mount Agassiz. The latter one, a little bit shorter, cannot be hiked because of ecological reasons. On the ridge, which does not involve difficult steps, there are around three intermediary peaks and then the main top. From the top, the visibility was excellent so I was able to see Grand Canyon at around 125 km away. I stayed a half an hour gazing around and then I started the decent toward the meeting point with my friends. They decided to spend the day skiing. I made it to the top in 3 hours and 45 minute and I can say that the mountain was only mine for that day because no one else was there hiking.

Because I had the video camera with me, you can enjoy a short movie of the ascent.

 

Last Updated on Thursday, 25 September 2008 21:02
 
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