10 highest peaks of arizona

Arizona is a fairly mountainous and rugged state, and is home to the worlds largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest. Many mountain ranges exceed 9000 feet in elevation and some can hold snow all summer. Even though the Mountains of Arizona are quite unknown to people who have never visited Arizona due to the common misconception that Arizona is all dry, hot, and dusty. Arizona's mountains are popular to locals year around, for vacations and getaways to escape the heat in Phoenix. Arizona's Mountains are home to well known trails and ski resorts visited by tourists and locals alike. Arizona's rugged peaks are very well known among southwestern US residents. This past winter the Mountains of Arizona were familiarized with the rest of the country for recieving more snow than Jeanau Alaska. The San Francisco Mountains were once a stratovolcano more than 16,000 feet high. They blew their top much like Mt St Helens leaving behind the top six highest points in Arizona. The mountains are well known to geologists because of their rich history and diverse amounts of volcanic rocks such as pumice. Archeologists favor the Mountains of Arizona due to their dynamic Native American history, and ecologists recognize them because of their biodiversity and change in elevation. Climbers and Hikers alike trek the peaks of the San Francisco mountains, or the eroded beauty of the white mountains. Both are rich in wildlife, plant species, outdoor sports, and terrain. Locals are familiarized with Flagstaff, because of its mild summers and cold winters. The white mountains are extremely popular with people from Arizona and New Mexico.
Humphrey's Peak
Humphry's Peak (not to be confused with Mt Humphrey's in the Sierra) in the Coconino National Forest, is the tallest summit in all of Arizona. It is part of the San Francisco Peaks, a volcanic mountain range 9 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona. It tops out at 12,633 feet above sea level, and is one of the most prominent summits n the United States outside of the Rocky Moutains. The moountain is home high enough to hold on to snow in summer, when temperatures may not exceed 40 degrees. The only maintained trail to the summit is the Humphry's Trail, a strenuous hike that starts at Arizona Snowbowl, and according to azhikers.org, is a strenuous one way hike with strict rules to stay on the trail once you are above the treeline in order not to damage the alpine tundra plants.
Agassiz Peak
(Pronounced AH-GU-ZEE) Simply reffered to as "Agassiz", Agassiz Peak is Mt Humphrey's sister peak, and one of the San Francisco Mountains' "Big 4", or the top 5 highest peaks in Arizona. A common misperception is that this peak is the highest in Arizona because you unable to see Humphry's Peak behind it from Flagstaff, Arizona. It's summit is 12,356 feet above sea level. The mountain is closed to climbers in winter due to snow and protecting the fragile tundra enviroment. This Peak loses its snow usually in late May, but has been known to keep snow until June.
San Francisco Mountain
Also located in the San Francisco Mountains, It climbs to 12,267 feet above sea level, and is known for it's climbing possibilities. It's makes it part of the Aggassiz Saddle, which connects Agassiz Peak with Humphrey's Peak. The mountain can bee seen from the Hart Praire Section of the Arizona Snowbowl, and again due to Humphrey's being not visible, visitors often incorrectly conclude that this is Mt Humphrey's.
Fremont Peak
At just short of 12,000 feet, 11,946 feet above sea level is located in the San Francisco Mountains. This summit is relatively unknown to visitors and locals, and it is located along the Doyle Saddle, where it is not very prominent. It really isn't a summit, just a high point on the Doyle Saddle, and the Mt Humphry's Trail runs on this ridge and atop Fremont Peak.
Aubineau Peak
The fifth tallest summit in Arizona tops out at 11,818 feet above sea level. This is a fairly steep peak, and the home of the 2005 avalanche. This mountain is on the Northside of the San Francisco Mountains and is adjacent to Abineau Canyon.
Ree's Peak
This is a much smaller peak than most of the summits in the San Francisco mountains, and at 11,444 feet, it makes the northeastern tip of the range. This peak lacks alpine Tundra, but is home to the famed Bristlecone Pine. This peak is distinguasable only by looking directly at it, otherwise the other summits completely fluch it out.
Doyle Peak
This peak is listed at 11,440, and can be seen as the summit most on the right, if you are looking at the San Francisco mountains from the Flagstaff area. The peak can be best viewed from Shultz Pass road, and is known for it's continuous Aspen belt. This peak is the starting point of the Doyle Saddle, connecting Doyle Peak with Aggasiz Peak.
Mt Baldy
Mt baldy, Located in Arizona's white mountains on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, is a eroded mountain peak whose summit is 11,391 feet above sea level. It's name was given to it by locals because it lacks trees on the upper ridge, giving it a baldlike appearence. Mt baldy is home to the Sunrise Ski Area and is a popular retreat for summer residents in Phoenix, Arizona. The mountain is not a range, just a single prominent peak whose flanks are gentle and peak is rounded, not rugged. This is the same for most of the White Mountains, a geologically old range once as high as the Alaska Range, but has been eroded away over the eons. Mt baldy is home to a bristlecone pine forest, and some consider the white Mountains as a Rocky mountain Extension due to similar averages in elevation, tree species, animals, and weather.
Mt Ord
At 11,348, Mt Ord is part of the White Mountains, and is located in Apache County on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Snow often stays on this mountain the longest during summer due to it's high elevation and gentle north slope, snoe can stick at 3-6 inches, sometimes more, until June, only then melting into patches.
Paradise Butte
At 11,148, Paradise Butte is found in the White Mountains near MT Baldy and Mt Ord, near Sunrise Ski Park. It is popular with locals for hikes and horseback riding, and can trails can be steep in some places. Due to heavy snows this past winter, Paradise Butte Trail is closed for Maintenence.

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