Arizona: Humphrey’s Peak

12,637 ft (3,852 m)

Rising above the high desert plateaus of northern Arizona, Humphreys Peak is the state’s highest mountain and the crown of the San Francisco Peaks—a weathered volcanic range just outside Flagstaff. This sky island of spruce, fir, and alpine tundra feels worlds apart from the surrounding deserts, offering highpointers a surprising taste of the alpine in a landscape better known for canyons and cacti.

The standard route begins at the Arizona Snowbowl ski area, climbing steadily through mixed conifer forest before reaching treeline around 11,500 feet. From there, the trail continues up a rocky slope for the last mile to the summit, with sweeping views in all directions. On a clear day, hikers can see into the Grand Canyon to the north and well across the Painted Desert to the east. The round-trip hike is roughly 10 miles with about 3,500 feet of elevation gain—manageable in a day, but exposed to wind, lightning, and sudden weather changes above treeline.

For those chasing state summits, Humphreys delivers a striking contrast of a windblown alpine perch in a land better known for red rock and desert heat. It’s not just Arizona’s highest point—it’s a high point in experience, too.

More coming soon…

In the meantime, check out this trip report!