Seven Club members and one guest met in the Snow Bowl parking lot at 6 AM to get an early start hiking up the highest peak in the state. After introductions and a quick walk through the meadow, we entered the forest and the climbing began. We had about four miles and 3,333 feet in elevation to reach the summit. Humphreys Peak is the tallest of the remaining San Francisco Peaks, a remnant of San Francisco Mountain, originally believed to be a 16,000 foot stratovolcano.

On this hike, we had an age range of about 67 years, but we moved together watching our feet as we stepped over a tangled web of tree roots and rocks.

As we climbed higher, stops to catch our breath increased, and the group spread out along the trail. There is nothing like hiking above 11,000 feet, noting the air is thinning, and then moving over for a trail runner who zooms past you. At 11,400 feet you reach a sign stating that there is no camping beyond that point.

From that point, the Agassiz Saddle is only about half a mile away.

Those in the lead group took a break at the 11,800 foot saddle that connects Agassiz and Humphreys peaks.

We were above the tree line, so the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. Most of us put on a windbreaker or sweater to keep from getting cold.

After a short break, we started the one mile climb to the summit, knowing that we would have to “only” gain another 833 feet in elevation.

It is a long mile and includes three false summits before reaching the true summit.

It took us a little over an hour. At that point we were in the only alpine tundra life zone in the state. The weather held, and we had a steady breeze and puffy clouds at the summit. It had taken us 3.5 hours to summit. Some of us who had taken off their windbreakers put them back on as our body temperatures starting cooling down after the climb. We enjoyed the view, sitting behind the rock windbreaks, signing the peak log and having a snack.

After that, picture taking commenced, and we took multiple group pictures around the peak elevation sign.

Also on the summit was a couple with their seven month old boy. The baby liked our attention and didn’t seem to be feeling any elevation effects. This could be the youngest child ever to “climb” Humphreys. With great weather, we took the time to enjoy the view and take many photographs. We spent around 45 minutes at the top. By the time we started down, there were a lot of hikers going up, so our early start time gave us the benefit of a much less crowded trail and summit. Going down was uneventful, and we could enjoy the flowers along the trail.

Our first group of hikers reached the trailhead by 1:30 PM, and the rest of us finished a little after 2 PM. Some of us decided to take a COVID19 risk and go to lunch on the Beaver Street Brewery patio, where the tables were widely separated.

Stats: The official distance is 10.5 miles and we reached the summit in 3.5 to 4 hours. Total time for the hike was 7.5 to 8 hours.

Thank you Tom for leading this wonderful hike! I was so happy to be part of it. I was planning to lead this hike last year but due to the forest fire I had to cancel the plan. I am glad that I got to visit it again this year, it was so exciting! Mark gave us the opportunity to go on a conditioning hike on his Red Mountain and Slate Mountain hike the day before, so Tom and I took the opportunity to join his group on Saturday to get prepared. I am so happy that this year the weather was so kind to us. About three years ago when I first did this hike I only spent 15 minutes on the summit due to severe weather with thunder and lightning that threatened us. We had to get to a safe place as fast as we could to avoid injury. Also we only got a glance at the beautiful surrounding area since there was thick fog that came with the bad weather which made visibility of the horizon impossible.

This year the weather was great, sunny and bright, although my nose was as red as reindeer due to windy and cold temperatures at the summit, my heart filled with warmness and joy.

All of the team members made it to the top. Les who is 83 years old decided to stop at the saddle, as planned since he had summited Humphrey peak multiple times in the last few years. I admired his energy and quickness, as he was in front me for the majority of the hike.

I really appreciated Tom’s meticulous planning on this hike, it made it smooth and successful. We started the hike at 6:15 AM, as planned, and finished before 2:15 PM. Everyone had a great time and we took lots of great pictures and made many memories that will last a lifetime.