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    Humphreys B-24 Bomber Crash Site, AZPrint: Full / Basic / Profile
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Elevation Profile Weather Forecast
Statistics
 Difficulty: 3.5     Route Finding: 4 
 Distance Round Trip 6 miles
 Trailhead Elevation 9320 feet
 Elevation Gain 1942 feet
 Avg Time Round Trip 4 hours
Interest: Off Trail Hiking
Author Steven
 Descriptions: 9
 Routes: 0
 Photos: 57
 Trips: 48 map  (335 Miles)
 Age: 33     Gender:
 Location: Federal Heights, CO
HAZ Member Photos
 Photos         Date Member
14  07-21-2010  gpsjoe
28  07-21-2010  Grasshopper
11  06-12-2010  coanbru
10  06-05-2010  wallyfrack
10  04-29-2009  hikerMI
13  08-25-2008  azdesertfath
10  07-26-2008  jbhunsaker
10  06-21-2008  wallyfrack
10  07-24-2007  sp369
5  07-17-2007  madfish
25  05-22-2006  SunDevil3
10  01-21-2006  00
5  11-18-2005  timageous
10  06-13-2004  SunDevil3
2  07-08-2003  squatpuke
Photosets Rated Viewed
 
 Flagstaff - Northwest
 Forest  Coconino
 Wilderness  Kachina Peaks
Backpack - No
Seasons - Spring to Autumn
GPS Routes
  Default Route by gpsjoe 3.61 mi
  2010-07-21 Grasshopper 6.75 mi
Linked Routes
 Mt. Humphrey
 2008-08-16 zukalous
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Hikes Springs
Direct Air Miles Away to Trailhead
0.1  Agassiz Peak
 Aspen Nature Loop
 Humphreys Summit Trail
 Humphreys Summit via Dutchman Glade
0.4  Kachina Trail #150
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     Police Car Moth
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     Baneberry*
     Bluebonnet Lupine
   Mountain Red Elderberry
     Parry's Primrose
     Silverstem Lupine
     Yellow Columbine
Space


an impressive crash site
by Steven

In the early morning hours of September 15, 1944, a U.S. Army Air Force B-24 Bomber on a night training mission crashed into the San Francisco Peaks, killing all eight crewmen. This memorial is dedicated to those young American Airmen.

The Bomber still sits on the slopes of Humphreys Peak. From the Humphreys Trail Parking lot if you look up the mountain you will see a rock flow and just above that, there is a small rocky clearing in the trees at about 11,000 feet. This is where they crashed, right in this clearing. From the Parking lot you can look up there and see the sun glimmering off of the pieces of the plane.

Many have sought out this wreckage and have failed to find it. Looking for it is almost like finding a pin in a haystack, but it's not impossible to find. Here is a description to find it, but you must keep your eyes open, as with directions it's still hard to find. To find it, take the Humphreys trail about 7 switchbacks up. Once you get to the rock field cross over it and take it till it ends. From here it's not real clear how to find it. You want to keep heading up the mountain while heading north. If you go to far north, not north enough or angle too steep you will miss it. Keep your eyes open for the propellers of the plane. Once you find pieces of it head straight up and you will enter a clearing in the trees and there it is. This site is breathtaking seeing how the plane tumbled up the mountain. It created gashes in the mountain changing the landscape of the mountainside.
- Jun 30 2003 Steven
Preferred Months  Jun, Jul, Aug & Sep
Wish List
Water/Source:  NoneLogin Required
Preferred Start Time:  8 AM Cell Phone Signal:  ??? Sunrise 5:59am Sunset 6:54pm
Road/Vehicle: Paved - Car Okay
Fees/Permit:
None
Login for Mapped Driving Directions

Directions to Humphries Trailhead: From Flagstaff follow Highway 180 West 7 miles to FR516. Turn right onto FR516 (N. Snowbowl Dr) and follow 6.2 miles to the first large signed parking lot on the left.

From PHX (I-10 & AZ-51) 164 mi - about 2 hours 41 mins
From TUC (Jct 1-10 & Grant) 269 mi - about 4 hours 9 mins
From FLG (Jct I-17 & I-40) 16.0 mi - about 31 mins

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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
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