Kendrick Peak is a well-known mountain not far from its famous neighbor Humphreys Peak. Kendrick Peak checks in at over 10,400 feet in elevation, and is pretty much on its own range-wise. It really isn't part of any range, as it's basically a big peak all alone, but surrounded by dozens of other volcanic plugs and remnants that populate the Coconino Plateau. The peak is most visible to hikers as they make their way up Humphreys Peak. Otherwise, ironically, it's kind of hidden in the thick ponderosa pine forests. Coming up from Flagstaff via US-180 about 10 miles past the Snowbowl turnoff, there really aren't any good open views of Kendrick, even though it rises a good 2,500 feet above the surrounding plateau. The better views are if coming back toward Flagstaff from the Grand Canyon. Beth and I decided to tackle this peak to get out of the furnace of Phoenix and into the cool climes of Flagstaff. We left Phoenix on Friday the 17th and found a nice campspace in the forest about 2 miles in off of the main highway, arriving about 8 p.m. with just enough time to erect the tent before the sun set for the day. A waxing gibbous moon provided good light for the rest of the evening.

The next morning started crystal clear and we drove the extra four miles or so to the trailhead. Only once into the forest did we get our first glimpses of the full mass of the peak. It's essentially a double-summitted mountain, with the western peak highest at 10,418 feet, and the eastern peak coming in at about 10,140 feet. A ridge that stays above 10,000 feet hangs between the two peaks, separated by less than an air-mile; otherwise the slopes of the mountain drop dramatically in all directions. A fire lookout is situated atop the highest point. Three possible hiker's routes lead to the top, but the one we took is by far the most used, as it is the best maintained of the three, has the best overall gradient and the best road access. The books say the peak gets 'moderate' traffic. When we arrived there were already 4-5 vehicles parked at the trailhead. After some time getting ready, we started in about 8:30 a.m. in very nice conditions.

The trail immediately begins a steady uphill gradient with little variation, and fortunately, set at a nice gradient. The first portion is through thick forest, then as it gains up a canyon on the peak's south, the views start to open up aided, ironically, from a large burn from 2000. Forests are hardy beasts and we are happy to report much new growth in the wake of the heavy burn scars. Gaining up the ridge we had outstanding views of might Humphreys Peak to the east, completely unobstructed. As we moved further up the canyon and ridge, below the prominent south headwall, we could spy the lookout sitting way high on the summit. We took a breather at a point before the trail gained onto the headwall itself.

On the headwall the trail makes very long sweeping traverses, with few switchbacks and again, with very reasonable grades. We made good time amid the thicker and more lush flora. About this time we met up with a few hikers already on the downhill after their early morning summit. In time, the trail works its way more toward the base of the eastern lower summit, before a sharp turn back northwesterly, in which it finally gains onto the ridge connecting the two peaks. Views opened up nicely here, with lovely meadows and a nice mix of forest, grass and rocky outcrops. We walked for a bit further to an old cabin which in the past had been used by the lookout personnel. We took a very short break, then decided to go on to the summit, just a mere couple of hundred feet further up. We made the top, tagging rocks and searching for the highest natural points amid the base of the massive lookout tower. Views were stunning in every direction; the humidity must have been in the single percents because we could make out fine detail on peaks 50 miles away. Humphreys looked so close we could almost touch it. A stiff breeze was the only source of minor discomfort. We decided to go ahead and descend back to the cabin and take a nice ling lunch break and rest. The trail had become busier, and we had pleasant chats with the various hikers. Most were coming up (or going down) our way, but a few had come up from the other routes (one guy reporting his way was very overgrown and hard to follow).

Eventually we began our hike down, which went without event other than taking it slow for Beth's knees and ankles. At the very bottom, within sight of the parking lot we heard a long extended creak, then some cracks... and about 20 feet to our right off the trail, a tree fell! A first for both of us, to see a tree actually fall. It was a standing snag, a casualty of the fire from 2000, but even then these things can stand for a generation before finally falling. We just happened to be walking by when this old guy finally gave out. Fortunately we were well clear of its path. Back to our truck by 3ish, we drove back into Flagstaff and found a hotel room. We slept like fallen logs that night (reference intended).

The drive back to Phoenix the next day had one interesting incident, as a small grass/brush fire on the median of Interstate-17 near Camp Verde was generating smoke and flames. But no fire trucks were there so we assume it had just started. Traffic slowed into a single file as the flames were lapping the edge of the highway and sending dense acrid smoke across our road. We just held our noses and pointed the truck through the haze, and got through. The rest of the drive was uneventful, and hot.