Humphreys Peak Trail

Humphreys Peak Trail (TR 151) is the main route to the summit of Humphreys Peak, Arizona’s highest point. It runs as a long, strenuous out-and-back from the Arizona Snowbowl area up through forest, then into exposed alpine terrain near treeline before continuing to the summit.

The hike is about 9.6 miles round trip with roughly 3,300–3,360 ft of total climbing, and typical completion time is about 5–8 hours. Expect the hardest effort in the last steep push toward the saddle between Humphreys and Agassiz peaks and the final exposed mile toward the top.

Early in the route you hike under dense ponderosa pine and aspen. As you gain elevation, the character shifts: you break above treeline into rocky alpine tundra and talus, where the route is more obvious at posts/markers but footing becomes loose and can require careful step selection.

Near mid-route you reach the saddle area between Humphreys and Agassiz peaks (around 11,800 ft). From there, Humphreys Peak Trail continues north/left toward the summit, while the Weatherford Trail heads away toward Agassiz/Doyle Saddle/Lockett Meadow.

Above the tree line, plan for altitude stress and exposure. The summit area is susceptible to high winds and fast-moving afternoon lightning storms, so starting early is a practical risk-management approach and turning back when weather builds is part of the normal decision-making.

Trailhead access is from the far north end of Arizona Snowbowl parking lot 1 (Lot 1), at about 9,265 ft. From Flagstaff, routes commonly follow US 180 to Snowbowl Road, then drive to the Snowbowl parking area and start from the lot’s north end.

More information: Hiking - Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort, Humphrey's Peak Trail | Grand Canyon Trust, Humphreys Peak Trail Guide - Hiking Guy