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I am going to be hiking the humphreys summit trail next weekend,, sept 12, with a couple friends. i was curious if i should bring a tent, sleeping bags etc. and try to camp on top of the mountain for the night, and then head back down on sunday morning. It this a) allowed?, b) a good idea? or should i just make it a day hike. i figured asking on this forum would be the best place to find out information. I hope someone can help me

thanks in advance!

matt

It is recommended that you sleep at the highest altitude possible prior to the day of your hike to help your body acclimate for the difference in altitude of where you normally live and where you will be hiking to. This could simply mean a motel room in Flagstaff or a campsite somewhere near where your going to start hiking from.

Other HAZ users more familiar with this route will hopefully chime in with more detailed information where there are good campsite possibilities for you and answer the question you have about camping anywhere along the trail or at the top. I recommend camping by the Lava River Tube and exploring it, in the evening before you bed down for the night.

Humphrey is an easy day hike and it would be pointless to camp on the peak and carry that weight. Even though you probably wouldn't get caught, camping above treeline is illegal. If you really want to backpack it, within in the first few miles there are some spur trails that run off the switchbacks and lead to campsites.

thanks for the advice

matt