Hiking in Humphreys Peak: trails, map and practical info

Humphreys Peak (Hopi: Aaloosaktukwi, Navajo: Dookʼoʼoosłííd) is the highest natural point in the U.S. state of Arizona, with an elevation of 12,637 feet (3,852 m) and is located within the Kachina Peaks Wilderness in the Coconino National Forest, about 11 miles (17.7 km) north of Flagstaff, Arizona. Humphreys Peak 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 miles (7.7 km) long Humphreys Trail that begins at the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort in the Coconino National Forest. The last 1 mile (1.6 km) of the trail traverses the only region of tundra in Arizona, at an elevation of more than 11,500 feet (3,505 m). The treeline of Humphreys Peak is around 11,400 feet (3,500 m). Hazards of the hike include a steep and rocky trail, risk of lightning strike, snow, and avalanche danger in winter.
Humphreys Peak was named in about 1870 for General Andrew A. Humphreys, a U.S. Army officer who was a Union general during the American Civil War, and who later became Chief of Engineers of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. However, a General Land Office map from 1903 showed the name San Francisco Peak applied to this feature (apparently borrowed from San Francisco Mountain on which the peak stands). Thus the United States Board on Geographic Names approved the variant name in 1911. In 1933, the application of the names was rectified.

In winter

According to the Coconino National Forest, during the winter months there may be increased danger of avalanches on steep slopes and at high elevations near and above the tree line. The Forest Service asks hikers to check the Kachina Peaks Avalanche Center snowpack report and the San Francisco Peaks recreational weather forecast before hiking Humphreys Trail No. 151 or entering the backcountry. Above the tree line the trail exposes hikers completely to the weather: it may snow there during any month of the year, and it can be much colder and much windier than at the trailhead, even when the temperature there is pleasant. The Forest Service lists the trail among its XC skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. The trail starts at the north end of the lower parking lot of the Arizona Snowbowl resort facility.