We loved the views on the top. The St. Francisco Peaks looked majestic from Mount Elden’s top… and Humphreys Peak reminded us that we have an appointment to visit sometime before October! It amazes me, that being so high up, the sounds of the train and highway still can be heard.
On our way up, the air was filled with grasshoppers' buzzes and chirps. Up to certain point we did not hear them anymore. There are yucca plants with beautiful flowers on both sides of the trail; so close, you can be poked by their pointy leaves. We saw lots of lizards. A special one was pink with dark brown. Towards the top, there are several baby aspen trees…and the green is so “fresh” I did not want to leave the area.

My husband and I completed the hike in 4.25 hours. Very challenging hike. The elevation got me a bit! It was a bit more difficult for me due to pain on my right foot… At the end, I was glad it was over and very satisfied to have finished.