Humphreys Peak: Winter Hike
Humphreys Peak Winter Ascent
San Francisco Peaks, Arizona
Completed Black Friday, November 28, 2025
Distance approximately 10.1 miles out and back
Elevation gain approximately 3,382 feet
Summit elevation approximately 12,600 feet
Trailhead Arizona Snowbowl
Best season Late fall through early spring for snow climbs
Trail Overview
Humphreys Peak is the tallest point in Arizona and the high point of the San Francisco Peaks. The range itself is the eroded remnant of an ancient stratovolcano, shaped over time by landslides and volcanic collapse. While the naming history of the range is unremarkable, the terrain it produced is anything but. Humphreys is often overlooked in state highpoint discussions, largely because of its accessibility, but that reputation understates its value as both a training climb and a legitimate winter objective.
I have climbed Humphreys multiple times over the years, including once with a fifty five pound pack as training for Mount Whitney. In that role, it is excellent. The elevation is real, the weather is unpredictable, and the mountain demands respect when snow and wind are involved. It is not technically difficult, but it is honest.
Black Friday 2025 Snow Climb
I submitted Humphreys Peak as a snow climb on Black Friday 2025 with my friend Jimmy. This was his first experience with a true winter ascent of this scale, and it was an ideal introduction. The trail was quiet throughout the day, with minimal skier traffic due to the shallow early season snowpack. That lack of snow kept conditions manageable while still requiring winter awareness.
What stood out immediately was the contrast in preparedness among the hikers we encountered. Many people were visibly under-equipped, moving slowly and uncertainly. Far fewer groups gave the impression that they had a realistic chance of summiting. You can usually tell by posture, pacing, and gear who has done this before, and who has not.
Conditions were unusually favorable for Humphreys. Wind was tame, which is rare above treeline on this mountain. Temperatures hovered around thirty degrees throughout the day. While moving, I only needed a single upper layer and two layers on my legs. This allowed for efficient movement without overheating, something that is often difficult to manage in winter.
Snow and Equipment Decisions
I carried snowshoes up to the saddle but did not use them on the ascent. The snowpack was firm enough that post-holing was minimal, and the trail was easy to follow. About halfway to the saddle, I put microspikes on and wore them continuously through the summit and back down to the saddle. They provided consistent traction on wind-packed snow and icy sections without slowing pace.
On the descent from the saddle, conditions changed. The snow softened enough to make post-holing likely, so I switched to snowshoes for the remainder of the hike down. That decision prevented unnecessary fatigue and reduced the risk of falls late in the day when mistakes tend to happen.
Summit and Descent
Both Jimmy and I summited successfully. We were in a strong headspace the entire day, likely helped by good conditions and the residual energy of a Thanksgiving meal the day before. There was no sense of rushing or desperation on the summit push. It felt controlled and earned.
Total time for the hike was approximately seven hours round trip, which is efficient for winter conditions without being aggressive. The descent was steady and uneventful, which is exactly what you want after a winter summit.
Additional Notes
Humphreys is often dismissed as easy, but that judgment usually comes from summer ascents. In winter, it becomes a very different mountain. Wind can exceed fifty miles per hour, whiteout conditions are common, and exposure above treeline is unavoidable. On this day, we were fortunate. That does not make the climb less legitimate. It simply means we chose the right day.
One constant remains regardless of season. The summit area is always full of bugs. Even in cold conditions, they appear in frustrating numbers, which remains one of the mountain’s strangest and most persistent traits.
Closing Reflection
Humphreys Peak is one of the best training mountains in the Southwest. It is accessible, demanding enough to matter, and unforgiving if approached carelessly. As a winter climb, it offers an excellent balance between challenge and safety when conditions align. For first-time winter climbers, it is a strong proving ground. For experienced hikers, it remains a reliable place to sharpen judgment, layering systems, and pacing.
This Black Friday ascent was a reminder that difficulty is not always about suffering. Sometimes it is about execution, preparation, and choosing the right moment to move.
