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 two-summited 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 drop dramatically in all directions. A fire lookout is situated atop the highpoint. Three possible 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 there. We started in about 8:30 a.m.

The trail simply starts to gain and never really lets up, but also never gets annoyingly steep. Overall the gradient is consistent and easy, allowing one to gain the 2,700 feet needed to achieve the summit in 4 miles one-way hiking distance. A burn from 2000 has left some areas blackened and with more open views, although we happily report that the growth is defeinitely coming back. To the east, Humphreys Peak rose up over the horizon for tremendous views.

The route gains a prominent canyon south of the summit, from which the lookout tower is visible. It then starts a series of switchbacks of the south face of the peak, eventually traversing a bit east toward the lower summit before winging back and achieveing the ridge at roughly the half-way point between the two peaks. Beth's knees and ankles were giving her discomfort so we took it slow and took time to rest. At the ridge we came upon an old cabin apparently used by the lookout personnel. The summit is just a short hike to the west. We achieved the top at about noon in clear, pleasurable weather, augmented by a strong breeze. We didn't stay long at the top, but instead descended back to the cabin where we took our longer food/drink/rest break. We chatted with the various hikers we saw coming and going.

The descent went quickly and without difficulty, and we were back to our truck by about 3 p.m.. From here we drove into Flagstaff and got a hotel room. After a shower and a dinner at the Olive Garden, we both crashed pretty early, beat from the hike. A great day!

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.