Flagstaff: Humphreys Peak Hike

 There was a sizable gap between the first place and second place riders for the AZT800. It was shaping up to be a free day on Sunday before Zack arrived. It was also a clear blue sky kinda day. I decided I'd hike up to Humphreys Peak taking the same approach the 800 riders were using. I had make the trek up there once before, some 9 years earlier, but on that day we rode our bikes up around the north side of the mountain. We stashed our bikes in the Inner Basin and took that trail up to the Weatherford trail and continued to where it intersected the Snowbowl approach near treeline at the saddle. That was a huge day when you add on the ride, none of that today.

I knew the upper portion of the hike would be chilly, quite cold actually, so layers were packed. I was hoping the wind wouldn't be much of an issue, but it usually is up there. At 12,633' Humphreys Peak is the highest point in Arizona, it's a cool place to experience.

I got going at 9:00a, it's about 5 miles each way. The National forest had a tent set up near the start as they were giving hikers the once over to make sure each person was prepared for their intended hike. I merely got a nod as I walked by.

The route up begins by crossing the open meadow of the beginner ski run.

As soon as you hit treeline, the ruggedness is apparent.

It also marks the Wilderness boundary. Riders on the 800 have to ditch their bikes before reaching this area.

I was a bit surprised how rocky the trail was. Unrelenting. A trip hazard on almost every step.

There were a few smoother sections.

Somehow, maybe by following others, I found myself off-trail and on the ski runs.

The 'trail' had noticeably gotten much steeper as it climbed through the tall grass. It was somewhere around here when I wised up and opened the Trailforks app. Aha, off-route by a bit. I didn't want to lose the gained elevation, so I bushwhacked across the mountain knowing I'd intercept the trail eventually. I had to climb over a few down trees, but it was otherwise uneventful and I was back on route.

Elevation was being gained rapidly as I was now above one of the chairlifts. Oxygen was noticeably thinning and my pace slowing a tad.

The trees begin to thin as well.

Cool to see the golden Aspen groves far below.

The junction with the Weatherford trail at the saddle. This is near treeline and the pickup in wind was obvious.

Northeast view out towards the Painted Desert.

Still a ways to go, but these rocks provided a nice wind break.

Trail should be in air quotes. It's merely the path of semi-least resistance.

The other hiker provides a good reference point.

Don't be fooled: False Summit!! Find the two white poles near the top/left marking the trail.

Looking down over the Inner Basin of the north slope.

Ahh, there's the top!!

Made it!! Wind was whipping pretty good, but thankfully there are a few rock walls constructed so you can take a snack break without blowing off the top!!

I don't believe the cross signifies anything other than to give hikers a visual on the summit approach.

Looking out across Babbitt Ranch, a wind farm and the Canyon walls of the North Rim.

Cool capture as a bird glides through the steady wind.

Have to admit, it's one of my better selfies. Haha.

I wasn't exactly blazing a fast pace to the summit, took me about 4 1/2 hours with a lot of short breaks. Going down should be much faster.

Rejoining the trees and getting out of the wind.

One of the few smooth sections.

I was about 2 hours into my descent when I crossed paths with Zack, the second place rider in the 800. He was looking strong and determined to finish tonight. He would later send me a summit selfie just after sunset.

I had caught up with a group of younger fellas I saw in the morning. They didn't reach the summit and were struggling a bit to get down. They were about 15 minutes ahead of two others in their group who were doing even worse. I encouraged them to keep moving as daylight was rapidly fading. It's interesting to see the people who attempt this hike. I saw a group of twenty-somethings all dressed in costumes, but barely a couple miles up they were about done. This hike is no joke if you're not prepared. I'm in decent enough shape and it was hard.

Fading Aspens.

The end is near!! Thank goodness as my knees had been getting more and more unhappy as were my feet.

A deceiving view from near Snowbowl's parking lot. What appears as the summit, is not. It's actually tucked behind. PeakFinder app.

Late afternoon rays light up the grass.

Whew!! Done. Jeez, that took 8 hours!!

So glad I did this!! Took way longer than I thought it would, but the aching knees and sore feet definitely slowed my descent.

In the ensuing days, every 800 rider who finished the ride also did the hike. About half of them did it in the dark too!! Talk about dedication!! Well done!!

It's funny to see where I got off route, not sure how I did that because it sure wasn't obvious on the way down. The trail was always easy to follow. Hmmmm.

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Flagstaff: Mt. Elden Fun

 Today would be the day the lead rider of the AZT800, Alex Schultz, would roll into the finish. But what time? He was just starting up the Humphreys Peak hike around 8:30a, so I figured I had most of the day to get a good ride in. I took my time, went out and had a nice breakfast and finally got rolling after 11:30. No real route plan other than to check out a couple new connectors I hadn't been on yet and to see the reworked Full Sail trail.

Unlike my ride the previous day on Waterline Rd., I parked down at the Y with the intent to climb Schultz Pass Rd.

Making my way up Schultz Pass Rd.

There were a bunch of racers coming the opposite direction, I guess some sort of gravel event was going on. I don't keep up with that whole scene or any race scene other than the bikepacking ultras and the local Arizona Endurance Series. Those are more my style.

On to the singletrack portion of the climb: Broadside.

A little more up before the down begins.

The view from the top at 8800'. Good time for a snack break.

It was a bit over 8 miles from the Y to the top, about 1700' of gain. Solid climbing grade for the singlespeed.

Apparently, Full Sail would be a stage for an enduro race the following day. I let 'er rip as best I could.

I had plenty of time before Alex arrived, so I was able to check out the new connectors. Abalone was up first.

Abalone links over to Swell, which still had some flashes of fall color.

Dry Lake Hills.

Lunar Tide is a fun downhill with some techy bits, formerly known as Jedi.

Nice view of the peaks on the way down.

The other new-to-me trail was Apollo. Nice connection to the AZT.

NAU's Walkup Skydome in Flagstaff.

I took a short break here, checked Trackleaders to see if I could intercept Alex here, but he was still a few miles away.

I had enough time to finish and get over to Buffalo Park to watch Alex wrap up his 3rd 800 finish with a small, but rowdy crowd!! 

Alex crossing the line!!

Congrats dude!! 9d 10h 29m

Route:

Flagstaff: Waterline Rd

 I made my way north to Flagstaff for the weekend with the goal of watching a few of the AZT800 riders cross the finish line. I arrived in town mid-afternoon and got settled at Mike's place. I wanted to get a ride in before dark and I thought a great one to do was an out-n-back on Waterline Rd.

It's been a few years since I last rode it, mostly because it's either been closed due to wildfire activity or damaged because of flooding rains. It's been recently re-opened to bikes as far as I knew, and it's a great climb at a nice grade. I was also curious to see how I'd do with the singlespeed.

My target was to see how far up the road I could get before sunset. I had my lights for a dark return, if needed. I was really hoping I could make it to the green cabins which mark the end of the road climb and the transition to the Inner Basin. I made the drive up Schultz Pass Rd. to the Sunset trailhead as I didn't have time for the full climb including Schultz Pass.

Up I go.

This side of the mountain was burned many years ago.

Quick photo break at the tunnel. So far, I was liking the grade on the singlespeed.

It was shaping up to be a spectacular late afternoon.

Long, steady climb the entire way.

Entering a large stand of Aspens. It was hard to tell if they were burned or had already dropped their leaves.

Golden hues come into view as I ride above the lower Inner Basin area.

Autumn's grip was still holding on here.

I was nearing the top, sun still out. So I opted for a short stint down the Inner Basin trail.

Yellow beginning to fade.

Glad I made the decision to come down here!!

Stoked!! Made it to the green cabins less than one minute after sunset!!

I had a quick snack, broke out my puffy jacket for the decent and headed back down the road. The only times I stopped on the climb were at the tunnel and when I hopped on the Inner Basin trail. I felt surprisingly good the entire climb, which isn't always the case when I ride here before spending a night.

Magical place up here.

Flagstaff outskirts beginning to glow.

The only gear item I wish I had brought were my full finger heavy duty gloves. My half finger gloves weren't doing the trick as the temps plummeted. Barely one third of the way down and my hands were numb from the cold. The remainder of the ride down was done mostly one-handed as I had to blow on my hands or put them in my jacket pocket.

Rounding one of the final curves and I was treated to this view. Boom!!

I'm so glad I didn't bail on this ride due to the later start. It ended up being perfect. I only saw about 4-5 other riders coming down the mountain as I climbed. Had the place to myself. Definitely scratched the Waterline Rd. itch, now I need to do it again as part of the Around the Mountain ride.

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