Fremont Peak - SE Ridge, AZ | HikeArizona
 

Fremont Peak - SE Ridge, AZ

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Difficulty 4 of 5
Route Finding 3 of 5
Distance Round Trip 8 miles
Trailhead Elevation 8,020 feet
Elevation Gain 3,949 feet
Accumulated Gain 3,950 feet
Avg Time Round Trip 7 hours
Kokopelli Seeds 27.75
 Interest Off-Trail Hiking & Peak
 Backpack Possible - Not Popular
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Photos Viewed All MineFollowing
15  2022-09-23
Humphreys - Fremont Loop
LJW
5  2021-07-07
Humphreys - Fremont Loop
LJW
15  2021-05-19
Fremont - Doyle - Schultz Loop
LJW
18  2020-10-09
Fremont Peak Loop
LJW
14  2020-06-15
Humphreys - Fremont Loop
LJW
11  2019-10-10
Fremont Peak Loop
LJW
4  2019-07-17 LJW
15  2017-09-24 Jim_H
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Author
author avatar Guides 64
Routes 75
Photos 9,059
Trips 2,068 map ( 12,544 miles )
Age Male Gender
Location Arizona, AZ
Associated Areas
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Flagstaff Region
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Trailhead Forecast
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Preferred Jul, Jun, Aug, Sep → 9 AM
Seasons   Early Autumn to Early Winter
Sun  6:30am - 6:38pm
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Nearby Area Water
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Flora  Nearby
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Autumn Masterpiece
by Jim_H

Fremont Peak may be overlooked by most who hike the San Francisco Peaks, with many hikers wearing their Humphrey blinders. I can't blame them, but those hiker's loss is your gain, and Fremont Peak is an excellent summit with a lot of solitude. At 11,969', or just shy of 12,000', it is a solid alpine summit, and it shouldn't be overlooked or considered an easy hike because it is lower than Humphrey, as it is primarily off-trail. With the winter road closure and monsoon season, this hike is best in fall, from late September to late November or early December. If you are out here during the Rut, you'll hear and might see lots of Elk. The evidence is everywhere, as they love the grassy south faces of this mountain.
The hike begins from Schultz Tank, where you will hike up the Weatherford Trail #102 for a couple of miles, passing the Kachina Trail #150 junction, and continuing up Weatherford Canyon. At the sign-in box, you can either go directly up the grassy slope which is above you on the right, or the east side and is a west-facing slope, or you can continue on the Weatherford Trail up several gently switchbacks to the same spot. When the aspen are at their peak, the trail is probably better.

At the top of the grassy slope, continue to head uphill in the general direction of north and up! You will cross the trail several more times, but from here, you are now entirely off-trail. The lower middle section of the hike is various meadows and grassy slopes with trees and small patches of forest interspersed. As you cross through these, you gain altitude, and eventually, you'll come out on to long ski slope like swaths of grass.

Once in any one of the long ski slopes of grass, you need only hike up to reach the summit. Yes, it is steep, and you will have to work your way through a few more areas of trees, some of which are bristlecone pines and are very windblown. There are many thorny shrubs patched in spots near the treeline, and you will have to make your way through some of these.

As you near the summit, some small boulder fields and scree slopes need crossing, with a thin and rugged ridge of rock being the last real obstacle you need to traverse. Once on the summit, take in the grandeur of Peaks, and use caution returning to your car. The slopes are steep, there are loose rocks in lots of places nicely hidden in the tall grass, and there are ungulate pellets everywhere that act like ball bearings underfoot!

Of note, there is Senecio on Fremont, so take care not to step on that plant. Fremont is not off-limits at any time of year, but it is nice to protect what the Peaks have.

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Note
This is a moderately difficult hike.

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2014-10-07 Jim_H
  • FR22 Car Camping
    area related
    FR22 Car Camping
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.

 Permit $$
None


 Directions
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 Road
FR / Dirt Road / Gravel - Car Okay

To Schultz Trailhead
Location: 7 miles north of Flagstaff on graveled Forest Roads.

Access: Drive north out of Flagstaff on US 180 to FR 420 (Schultz Pass Road). Drive 6 miles east on FR 420 to the trailhead at a parking lot on the south side of the road.

Road Condition: FR 420 is graveled and suitable for passenger cars except during winter when it is closed because of snowpack.

From PHX (I-10 & AZ-51) 158 mi - about 2 hours 35 mins
From TUC (Jct 1-10 & Grant) 263 mi - about 4 hours 5 mins
From FLG (Jct I-17 & I-40) 10.1 mi - about 24 mins
page created by Jim_H on Oct 07 2014 8:31 pm
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