Some time ago, after doing lots of MTB rides around
Flagstaff, I had this idea that I wanted to get to the top of Mt Humphreys(12.6kft)
but not just hike it, but start as low as possible…ie, somewhere about the elevation
of Flagstaff (7kft). However, I’m NOT a
hiker…matter of fact, if the trail is something that can be ridden on a MTB,
then I’ll be damned if I’m going to walk it.
Seriously, it’s just a matter of efficiency. Walking is 3mph, and MTB speeds are more
like 8-10mph. So the thought was hatched that I could combine the two! Ride as far as I could, stash the bike, hike to the top, then return. However, something about doing the standard approach up the mtn via the Humphreys
trail just didn’t appeal to me. I’d done that hike a few times, and the logistics of stashing a bike with so many people around
seemed a little sketchy.
Then the idea hit me…do it via the Inner Basin Trail which
is an approach I’d never done yet, and is so much less traveled. Boom…that was it! I’d ridden to the wilderness boundary at
10kft in the inner basin several times and there was lots of Aspen trees to
stash a bike at…
This year since the monsoon took a big 2 week break in July,
I had a window of time to do it without worrying about weather (which can get
super nasty up there). However, the
temps were pretty toasty so I wanted to get an early start. So Saturday 7/16 was it… Get up early, pack my stuff, and start riding
at the bottom of Shultz Creek (the “Y”).
At the start...ready for an adventure! |
I had my new trail running shoes packed along with my trekking poles in my camelback and set off around 7AM. Kind of a grunt up Schultz since I had so much
damn weight with gear and water. Like an
idiot, I didn’t gear down enough on the SS, so by the time I got past the green
cabins in the inner basin(when things
got steep) I was working too effing hard.
on my way up Waterline Rd. |
Finally I arrived at the wilderness boundary in the inner
basin, wandered off in the aspen grove, and changed over to hiking mode. Took the thru axles of the bike and put them
in my pack just in case some tweeker found my rig.
Hiking shoes on, biking shoes off...ready for serious hiking....look at those cool new shoes.... they were effing awesome. |
Got cranking up the trail which initially begins as a loose,
granular climb up a drainage, until finally reaching a left turn at what was
signed the “Inner Basin Trail”. It
climbed STEEPLY, initially with some really nice switchbacks and them some
fall-line stuff.
Angry Ray with Flavor-Saver attached....wtf, why is it so grey? |
It was there when I found this rock….so appropriate!
Finally, after a few minutes, the trail intersected the
Weatherford trail which is actually an old road…this thing is a dream to
hike/walk…wow…easy grades, spectacular scenery.
A few miles later, I reached the saddle between Agassiz and Freemont
peaks which had a great view to the south.
At this point, it was pretty much all above treeline hiking
and it was amazing… The trail zig-zagged up the east face of Agassiz Peak until
going over the ridgeline to the west side(Snow Bowl side) to finally intersect with the
Humphrey’s trail at the saddle.
Looking down to the inner basin... |
heading up the east side of Agassiz peak |
Damn, I hope someday we can ride this on a MTB...such a nice trail! |
Glamour shot by my photographer |
From this point, there was a $hit-ton of hikers since so
many come up the Humpheys trail. So many
of these people seemed to not understand that the temperature drops about 5
degrees F for every 1000 ft of elevation gain and its ALWAYS windy up
there. I passed several people in shorts
and tank tops literally shivering.
Finally got to the summit, hunkered down with some other
folks who all seemed very surprised that my adventure started on a bike.
I don't know why I didn't take this pic w/o a mouth full of food. |
Chowed down a luna bar then started my trek
back down.
This is the part that kills me…I can hike up like a mad-man,
but my knees seem to just hate me for the downhill. So I use the heck out of my trekking poles to
save my knees.
Finally, got back to the wilderness boundary, and thankfully
my bike was still there! Switched out
my shoes, put my bike back together, and had a nice little downhill cruise back
to where I’d started.
Snow Bowl to the right... |
Heading back to the Agassiz - Fremont Saddle...that's Flagstaff down there. |
Luckily, my stuff was still there.... |
Back to biking mode...thru axles installed! |
Wow…not the hardest thing I’d done, but what a great little
day adventure. Always love doing
something that is a bit different and this was just the ticket. HIGHLY recommend doing this!
Good solid day of riding-hiking-riding...the Angry Ray Triathlon! |
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