This whole thing started when I heard about the Rainier Infinity Loop FKT. It's insane. A person would climb Mount Rainier, drop down the other side, take the Wonderland Trail around and back to the start. THEN repeat the process except doing the Wonderland Trail the other way. Total of 2 big climbs plus the entirety of the Wonderland Trail.
The main thing stopping me from trying it is quite obviously the technical, glacier, crevasse part of it. So I've never considered going anywhere near that one. I'm so happy we climbed Mount Rainier with friends, that was plenty amazing for me.
However! There's another mountain that has trails on the front and back sides, plus a route all the way around - Humphrey's Peak near Flagstaff. I've imagined creating an Infinity Loop on it for a while and finally got the chance to put everything together.
It's still pretty big. Especially coming up from Tucson a couple days before - nothing like two ascents up to 12,600 feet in 24 hours to get started on acclimation for the summer.
Friends Andrew and Kiefer were excited to come with me for the first half, and I was happy to have the company. Andrew's also good for an occasional silly photo, while I'm not sure Kiefer is quite ready to mug for the camera:
Starting out from Snowbowl, see you in a while, John!
A bitty bit of snow remaining here and there:
Taking a quick break at the saddle:
We gabbed the whole way up which made time fly by. Back to the highpoint of Arizona!
We had perfect weather, including light winds on top of the mountain. Summit #1 done, and maybe try not to push the sign over:
We spent a couple minutes flipping through the contents of the summit boxes. Hey, there's a duck!
And she has devil horns and a shell bikini! Worthy of her own summit photo:
Flagstaff and NAU in the distance behind Agassiz Peak:
Pretty purple flowers growing on the tundra:
Kiefer's shoe needed some help - duct tape to the rescue!
Raven atop a boulder:
We did some good running down the switchbacks and then dropped steeply into the Inner Basin. Checking out the new pump house, and it sure would have been nice if we could have refilled water here but no:
Turning left onto the start of the first half-circumnavigation:
We climbed doubletrack for a while and then dropped down a rocky trail. Eventually the footing got better. Soon we were at the first crew point at Abineau/Bear Jaw trailhead. Hello Tug-E, and thank you John for putting out some chairs!
John had picked up treats that were greatly appreciated, and we were happy for the little break/refill. Although it might be best that Kiefer's face is in a shadow:
Down the road and onto the AZT, yay!
Partway up the trail we ran into our friends Gavin, Katy, and Winston the dog. I was so surprised to see them there that it took me a while to recognize them, and I completely didn't think to take a picture. Katy brought treats, fun! Thank you all for coming out to support this crazy effort!
I think Kiefer wants to go to Utah, while Andrew is shocked that Mexico is so far away:
Beautiful aspen woods, and lovely shade to temper the warmth of the afternoon:
Climbing up to Snowbowl, we followed new "Trail ->" signs on the recently-improved route between the AZT and the parking lot. Much better, no need to switchback way out of the way nor get tempted by a cross-country path.
Andrew and Kiefer called it a day after the completion of the first half - thank you both so much for the great company, guys!
John was up for climbing Humphreys that afternoon, so I had another trail buddy for a few hours, excellent!
John's phone took a couple really nice pictures while the sun was setting:
Smoke in the distance from a fire north of Kendrick Peak:
Back to the top, so pleased with the beautiful weather/lack of wind, and enjoying a rare sunset summit. Apparently "live long and prosper" also means "summit #2":
There were way fewer people up there this go-round, as expected. Although one guy suggested he was going to camp amid the rocks up high? Not sure about that (technically not allowed above a certain elevation) but we wished him luck and continued downward.
Back to the saddle, and John headed down the main trail to Snowbowl while I continued ahead to work on loop #2. Thank you John, you are so very much appreciated!
Apparently I saw snow underfoot somewhere (probably on the switchbacks down through the trees) and decided it was photo-worthy:
The steep descent into the Inner Basin had passed so quickly the first time, I was surprised how much longer it felt the next time around. Darkness and taking care on the rocks slowed me down. Eventually I was passing the pump house again, phew.
Right turn!
I wanted to do this half of the loop during the night because it's exposed from a recent fire and would be a good deal hotter than the AZT side during the afternoon. Running down a long gentle road in the dark, listening to podcasts, that seemed reasonable.
Then I saw the sign - NINE miles to Schultz Tank. Wow, that is a long way.
Helpfully there are mile markers along the road so I could follow along with my watch and do pace math in my head. The view of lights in the distance, the cool air, it was a lovely night. It just took a while.
The best my camera could do at the tunnel:
By the time I reached John and Tug-E at Schultz Tank I was rather sleepy. I got in the truck, grabbed a blanket, and took a short nap. Very helpful.
OK, let's finish this up!
Of course everything takes longer in the dark and when you're tired. Including the climb up from the road. I didn't think it was possible to miss the turn but I checked my phone track a couple times just to be sure. Keep going...
Two intersections later and I was on the last part, the Kachina Trail. I believe this sign is pointing toward Snow Bowl - I'll get there eventually!
I have memories from my first Round Hump FKT and being surprised at all the rocks on the Kachina Trail. So I knew this was going to take some time. However I didn't remember that there are a bunch of spurs to climb over, fields to traverse, drainages to drop through, all before reaching the rocky section.
Two hours after the previous picture, I finally found the rocks and I was hopeful this meant I was nearing the finish:
As I wrote in my FKT report, "Kachina Trail is really something, and why do I always stick it at the end?"
Popping out at the parking lot, yay John!
Yep, it was a big effort, with a lot of variety and things to see. Marcy has tried it and she approves:
Happy to finally complete this after pondering the idea for quite some time!
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