Trailblazers on the Arizona Trail. [photo by Li]

Ron, Mike, Michael, Tom, Li, Terry, Diane, Anna, Diane, John.

To escape the heat from Phoenix, 12 trailblazers gathered at the high altitude Humphrey Peak trailhead ready to embark on the Aspen loop to Bismarck Lake hike. The weather was perfect with clear blue skies accompanying the fresh morning air. We started the hike at around 9:30 AM. The weather was cool and comfortable, all of us arrived pretty early. Everyone was enthusiastic to start the hike early since the forecast predicted windy weather in the afternoon. The parking lot was filled with people who were hiking Humphrey peak and the Ranger station had set up an information booth to accommodate all of the hikers. We started our hike at Humphrey Peak trailhead before proceeding to the Aspen nature trail. The beautiful green Aspen leaves and white barks formed a great contrast making the hike pleasant and relaxing.

Early birds. [photo by Li]

Our wonderful group. [photo by Li]

Through the Aspen forest. [photo by Li]

Walking to the grassland. [photo by Ron]

Onward we go. [photo by Li]

Outward bound. [photo by Ron]

The Aspen nature trail is flat and scenic, making it the perfect place to casually hike and chat with good friends. We only met a few people on this hike, unlike the Humphrey peak trail this part of the mountain was quiet. Exiting the aspen forest, we walked into the grass meadows where we could see Bill Williams Mountain and Kendrick Peak far in the distance. Close by we could see a few cabins below. Les and Annette, who joined our hike, have a cabin in this area. Les told us he had seen four bears come to drink water from his set up water basin recently.

Walking through the meadow. [photo by Li]

Bill William and Kendrick peaks. [photo by Li]

Cool-weather walk. [photo by Li]

San Francisco peak on the background. [photo by Ron]

Big boy from Les cabin near the Aspen nature trail area. [photo by Les]

After passing through the grassy meadows we continued onto the Arizona trail of the San Francisco peak, walking through the dense Douglass fir and pine forests until we reached the junction of the Arizona trail and Bismarck Lake trail. From there we steered to the left towards Bismarck lake trail. This area is flat with a large basin but the lake area was all but dried up, instead being filled with a sea of fresh green grass. I was disappointed to come all this way just to not see any water but just as I was losing hope, suddenly I saw some water on the south east side of the basin. This area was a focal point of the hike since from it we could see San Francisco peak, lush grassland, Bismarck lake and some beautiful desert orchards all at once. What beautiful sights!

Beautiful views. [photo by Li]

Up the hill. [photo by Ron]

Dry meadow next to Bismarck Lake. [photo by Li]

Orchards and green grass. [photo by Li]

Bismarck lake. [photo by Li]

Arizona trail. [photo by Li]

Our group took a lunch break under a large juniper tree. The tree was huge and although the leaves were very scarce, the trunk and bark of the tree were so elegant and attractive that we couldn't help but rest under it. We took group pictures and enjoyed a nice lunch break before returning from the same route that we came.

Through the Aspens’s forest. [photo by Ron]

Aspens watching us. [photo by Li]

The Aspen log. [photo by Ron]

Beautiful flowers. [photo by Li]

Orchards. [photo by Ron]

It was a great hike with cool weather, beautiful scenery and wonderful companions. We celebrated a successful hike at Grimaldi pizza place with drinks, cold beers and pizza. What a wonderful weekend we had!

Almost back to the parking lot. [photo by Li]

Cabin in the woods. [photo by Ron]

We celebrated at Grimaldi pizza place. [photo by Li]