Humohreys Weatherford Kachina Loop

gpsjoe · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 535 Location: Mesa AZ

Sunday (7/12) it was 115 degrees in Phoenix. Flagstaff had a high of 85 and low of 53. At the Humphreys trailhead it was 10 degrees cooler than that and at Agassiz saddle it was another 10 degrees cooler with mild breezes. Needless to say temps on the 19 mile loop of the Humphreys, Weatherford and Kachina trails were perfect for hiking.

This was my fourth hike of that loop and probably under the best of weather conditions to date. GB and I started at 6:30 AM and finished at 4:30 PM. These classic trails have some of the best and varied views in all of Arizona. All or any part of this loop is highly recommended

On the Kachina trail

_________________
Become a skilled GPS user and it will set you free!

tibber · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 247 Location: Phoenix

Wow, look at all those healthy and tall ferns. That's amazing Whoa!

_________________
Angela from N Phoenix

Shawn · Posted: 7/13/2009, 12:54 pm Post subject:

Do you go to the summit? I'd do this if I don't have to wheeze my way up that high.
_________________
The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

gpsjoe · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 535 Location: Mesa AZ

Shawn · Posted: 7/13/2009, 2:51 pm Post subject:

I've gone to the top in one day (from Phx) and I agree, it's kind of tough physically. The worst was when I drove up and hiked to the summit from the Inner Basin and back, all in one day, uff-da!
_________________
The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

Uff-da... wow haven't heard that one in a looong time. Cute Shawn
_________________
Wanderingsoul (Michelle)

Positive Thinking Is the Spark that Makes Dreams Happen~~~Unknown

windymesa · Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 76 Location: Peoria, Arizona

That would be a great loop... but no fun with the Peak in the itinerary. I went up Humphreys Peak June 27th... along with 250 other people... as the weather was lightening free. It was the most wonderful social experience I have ever had in a designated Wilderness. Met people from all over Arizona and tailgated in the parking lot afterwards for more socializing. Tried to find the 1940's B24 Liberator crash site to pay my respects with no luck, lost the cairns after 1/2 mile, and didn't have the lat/long. Afterwards.. went online, googled, found the lat/long, and plotted my track and seen that I was only about 150 feet away from it.

Shawn · Posted: 7/15/2009, 10:07 am Post subject:

Sounds like we ought to put this hike on the calendar. Anyone want to be the leader? We need a leader so we have someone to blame you know.
_________________
The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Shawn · Posted: 7/15/2009, 11:32 am Post subject:

I was thinking of it as a day hike. But one could stage vehicles with camping gear at Shultz pass TH, then shuttle around to the Snowbowl parking lot, go up the Humphrey's trail to the saddle, down the Kachina to Shultz, camp, then finish up in the morning back to Snowbowl.
_________________
The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

gpsjoe · Joined: 01 Feb 2004 Posts: 535 Location: Mesa AZ

Fall is a great time. The Aspen stands on the Kachina trail are spectacular. Dress for colder weather.
_________________
Become a skilled GPS user and it will set you free!

windymesa · Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 76 Location: Peoria, Arizona

When I was in the area on June 27th, Don and I checked out the mountain for potential campsites and trailheads for hiking the Kachina peaks trail and the Weatherford Trail. You might consider the 14 dispersed non pay camp sites along the FS road 522 just south of the Kachina Triail (also part of the Arizona Trail segment 34). Each has a fire "ring", and you must camp 50 feet from the sign post... I think 8 persons per camp site. At the east end of FS Road 522 where it meets FS627 (FS627 goes downhill to the Shultz Pass road) is a trail head and parking near the Aspen Spring... much less congested than the Snow Bowl with its 103 cars (only 3 cars at this one). Will save much elevation gain and mileage from Shultz Pass. You might want to start here. It would be a shorter shuttle to the Snow Bowl parking area. The area is also close to Flag if you want to eat supper or go dancing in town.. or breakfast buffet it at the SnowBowl Hotel for 7.99.

Hiking intell: Snow Bowl parking (9200) to Agissaz Saddle (11800) is 3.1 miles, Agissaz Saddle to Fremont Saddle (10800) is 3.5 miles, Fremont Saddle to FS522/627 (8800) is 4.5 miles, and FS522/627 to the parking lot (Kachina Peaks Trail) is 5.6 miles (2.5 hours). Like Desertgirl says... make your own hike... they all end at the parking lot.

There is also a road below 522 that parallels it, and there is dispersed camping, but no campfires permitted. We camped on this road so we could breathe smoke all night long. Between the two roads the USFS was finishing up a controlled burn the weekend we were there, so it was a bit smokey at night camping when the smoke laid down and flowed down hill like water, and I told Don it would... but he wouldn't listen to the old fire dog.

I like to poke around, go off trail a bit, take pictures, so Don and I will probably make a 2 day out of it... 1.) one from Snow Bowl Parking area to the FS 552/627 roads intersection trailhead, and 2.) a next day hike on the Kachina Peaks Trail/AZ Trail 34, from the Snow Bowl Parking to the FS 552/627 roads intersection trailhead. Both have a higher start elevation.

We will bring some frosty beverages for the tailgaters.

windymesa · Joined: 06 Jan 2004 Posts: 76 Location: Peoria, Arizona

p.s. how about this:... you have to camp within 50 feet of the sign at the dispersed campsites on FS522 or... how about: not more than 50 feet away from the sign at the dispersed campsites

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Thanks for the intell. 2 day will be good -- allows for more pictures and in fall this place will be wonderful
_________________
Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!