Agassiz Peak and Fremont Peak via Inner Basin in Coconino National Forest, AZ

Hike Agassiz Peak and Fremont Peak via Inner Basin Coconino National Forest, AZ

Class 2 15.9 miles 4800 gain 7-10 hrs Out + Back May 3, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Agassiz Peak and Fremont Peak via Inner Basin GPX Track

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ONLY LEGAL WHEN SNOW-COVERED. To protect the fragile plants on the summit tundra, do not hike unless there is snow on Agassiz Peak. There is a serious fine if you're caught. Also, just don't be an asshole.

Hey there. I don't like hiking in snow. And yet I did it for this hike. Why? Because it's illegal to hike Agassiz Peak unless it's snow covered! Please respect the rare plants that live up there and only complete this hike when there's snow. Seriously, there's only a few of hikes on my site in the snow because I'm a fair-weather princess and yet I still waited for legal conditions. Matt and I started at the Inner Basin Trailhead, accessible by almost any vehicle, but passenger cars might struggle on the steeper sections required to reach it. Matt had already completed "The Crown", the full traverse of the San Francisco range, and I had already done Humphrey's Peak, so we were out to just get Agassiz and Fremont today.

We headed along the windy Inner Basin Trail that was more pretty than I expected it to be, and I'm sure it's really a delightful area to check out in the fall when the massive aspen stand is orange. The trail eventually merged with a forest road, passed a pumphouse or two, and then continued into a wide open section that gave us a view of the San Francisco Mountains, specifically of Doyle Peak, Fremont Peak, and Agassiz Peak. We switchbacked up to the saddle separating Agassiz Peak and Fremont Peak, known as Fremont Saddle. From here we continued north along the long switchbacks on Agassiz Peak's east slope. While the trail continues farther, we left it on a snow field to reach the northern crest of the ridge. Adhering to the rules, we continued south to Agassiz Peak on snow and took in the snowy views. Maybe I should get into snow stuff more? Nah.

Back at Fremont Saddle, we headed along the snowy ridgeline, encountering some boulder hopping (Class 2), and lots of clawing up the snow. There's a hump along the ridge, but otherwise it's a straightforward ridge traverse to the summit. We glissaded down the north snowfield of Fremont Peak, which was an absurd amount of fun, but the stats on my trip report assume you returned the way you came.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Agassiz Peak
12356 ft
556 rise
2
Fremont Peak
11969 ft
615 rise

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Starting up the Inner Basin Trail.
Starting up the Inner Basin Trail.
Image 1 from gallery
Very pretty aspens.
Very pretty aspens.
Image 3 from gallery
Inner Basin Trail merges with a forest road.
Inner Basin Trail merges with a forest road.
Passing a pumphouse.
Passing a pumphouse.
Image 6 from gallery
Image 7 from gallery
Open area with views toward Fremont (left) and Agassiz (right).
Open area with views toward Fremont (left) and Agassiz (right).
Close-up toward Fremont. We used the snowfield in the center as our descent later (see map).
Close-up toward Fremont. We used the snowfield in the center as our descent later (see map).
Along the Inner Basin Trail.
Along the Inner Basin Trail.
Image 11 from gallery
Getting closer, our goal is the saddle above Matt's head, which separates Fremont Peak from Agassiz Peak.
Getting closer, our goal is the saddle above Matt's head, which separates Fremont Peak from Agassiz Peak.
Image 13 from gallery
Image 14 from gallery
View back into Inner Basin.
View back into Inner Basin.
Switchbacking up the Inner Basin Trail.
Switchbacking up the Inner Basin Trail.
Agassiz Peak up there.
Agassiz Peak up there.
At Fremont Saddle, the low point separating Agassiz Peak from Fremont Peak. Agassiz Peak visible ahead.
At Fremont Saddle, the low point separating Agassiz Peak from Fremont Peak. Agassiz Peak visible ahead.
Switchbacking on the east slope of Agassiz Peak, the trail cutting through the cinder.
Switchbacking on the east slope of Agassiz Peak, the trail cutting through the cinder.
View toward Fremont Peak's ridgeline. There was a forest fire going on in the distance, as you can see.
View toward Fremont Peak's ridgeline. There was a forest fire going on in the distance, as you can see.
Wide shot as we ascend the switchbacks on Agassiz Peak's east slope.
Wide shot as we ascend the switchbacks on Agassiz Peak's east slope.
Ascending the snow-covered north ridge of Agassiz Peak. Humphreys Peak is visible in the distance.
Ascending the snow-covered north ridge of Agassiz Peak. Humphreys Peak is visible in the distance.
Ascending to Agassiz Peak.
Ascending to Agassiz Peak.
View back as we ascend to Agassiz Peak. Humphreys Peak top left, Inner Basin on the right.
View back as we ascend to Agassiz Peak. Humphreys Peak top left, Inner Basin on the right.
Close-up toward Humphreys Peak.
Close-up toward Humphreys Peak.
Close-up toward Fremont Peak.
Close-up toward Fremont Peak.
Back at the saddle, we headed up to Fremont Peak.
Back at the saddle, we headed up to Fremont Peak.
View back, Agassiz Peak top left, Humphreys Peak top right.
View back, Agassiz Peak top left, Humphreys Peak top right.
At a hump along the ridgeline, view toward Fremont Peak.
At a hump along the ridgeline, view toward Fremont Peak.
View back toward Agassiz Peak.
View back toward Agassiz Peak.
Ascent to Fremont Peak.
Ascent to Fremont Peak.
Image 32 from gallery
Approaching Fremont Peak's summit, Agassiz Peak visible top right.
Approaching Fremont Peak's summit, Agassiz Peak visible top right.
Close-up of Agassiz Peak (left) and Humphreys Peak (right).
Close-up of Agassiz Peak (left) and Humphreys Peak (right).
Close-up into the Inner Basin.
Close-up into the Inner Basin.
Close-up of Matt coming up to the summit.
Close-up of Matt coming up to the summit.
Matt checking out Humphreys Peak from the summit of Fremont Peak.
Matt checking out Humphreys Peak from the summit of Fremont Peak.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!