The view from Humphrey's Peak looking towards the north and the Grand Canyon. Of course, you can't see the canyon because it goes down and nothing sticks up. In addition, the air quality in northern Arizona is not what it used to be. Smoke from the large coal burning power plants create a haze that obscures most of the distant mountains and cliffs. The climb to the top of Humphrey's follows a zig-zag steep trail that is very rocky near the top of the ridge. I always consider "the wall" to be about 11,000 feet, that is where I usually begin to feel the effects of the altitude. There does not seem to be a consensus on the actual elevation of the highest point but it is approximately 12,666 feet according to a the sign at the top. However, other sources put the elevation somewhat lower at 12,637 feet.
Humphrey's Peak is one of several high peaks that surround a huge volcanic caldera. The peaks form a ridge semi-circling the caldera. The trail reaches the ridge well below the summit and the trail follows the ridge line for a mile or so. As you climb along the ridge, you see several false summits before you finally walk far enough to see the final switchbacks up to the real one.
Going down is definitely easier than climbing. The trail is supposed to be 4.7 miles, but you usually have to hike about two miles to the gate where the trail actually begins, so the round trip is closer to 12 miles than 9. Some claim that this is the "best hike in Arizona." I wouldn't dispute that it is one of the best, but I would place several other hikes above this, including the North Kaibab Trail and the Bright Angel Trail.
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