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Humphreys Peak Saddle - page 2 of 6

The trail wound first through a large meadow, where I could look up at Humphreys Peak and its neighbor Agassiz Peak. To the southwest, I could see Bill Williams Mountain, which was named for a local mountain man. Two trails ascend Humphreys Peak: the Humphreys Trail that I was hiking, and the Weatherford Trail, which begins on the southeast side of the mountain. They both meet at the saddle (the western term for col) between Humphreys Peak and Agassiz Peak. You're not allowed to climb to the top of Agassiz Peak as the Hopi consider it sacred, although the Arizona Snowbowl ski area uses a portion of its lower slopes.

At the end of the meadow, the trail entered the woods. It was mostly covered with dried-up spruce needles, and was relatively free of rocks and roots as compared to most of the trails in New Hampshire's White Mountains, so the walking was easy. In numerous spots, huge Aspens or Englemann Spruce trees had fallen across the trail, but had been sawed and removed by trail crews.

Soon, I reached a sign that said I was entering the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. This wilderness area is named for the Hopi spiritual beings that embody many forces and aspects of nature. You can find Kachina doll carvings for sale all over Arizona, and probably the rest of the southwest as well.

Near the wilderness sign was a trail register in a covered stand where you can sign in to let the Forest Service know where you're going and for how long. As in the White Mountains, camping is allowed except in the alpine zone.

Humphreys Peak from the meadow near the start of the Humphreys Trail.

humphreys peak from meadow.jpg (24235 bytes)

Agassiz Peak from the meadow. There are no trails that ascend Agassiz Peak since the Hopi consider it sacred.

agassiz from meadow.jpg (36618 bytes)

Bill Williams Mtn from the meadow. This peak southwest of Humphreys was named for a well-known local mountain man.

bill williams peak from meadow.jpg (17065 bytes)

Kachina Peaks Wilderness sign. This wilderness area is named for the Hopi spiritual beings. You can find Kachina doll carvings for sale all over Arizona.

wilderness sign.jpg (36563 bytes)

The Humphreys Trail at around 9,500 ft. In its lower parts, the trail switchbacked through tangled forests of Aspen and Englemann Spruce.

trail - 9500 ft.jpg (83023 bytes)

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