Aug. 30--Ask people almost anywhere to name some natural wonders of Arizona and you'll likely get responses such as "big cactus" and "Grand Canyon."

True enough. But our state is also home to a less-widely-known topographic treasure: an alpine-style mountain range jutting nearly 2 1/2 miles above sea level and topped with treeless tundra.

The San Francisco Mountains near Flagstaff -- commonly known as the San Francisco Peaks -- culminate in the high point of Arizona: 12,633-foot Humphreys Peak.

The range is a recreational wonderland in every season. Warm-weather pleasures include strolling

in meadows of wildflowers, hiking in forests of tall firs and climbing to Humphreys' summit. Autumn visitors savor a brilliant display of aspen color, and skiers find their bliss on slopes of the Arizona Snowbowl in the winter.

Today, we offer a quick-look guide to the pleasures of late summer and early autumn on the peaks.

Take a meadow walk

For an easygoing introduction to the area, or for a hiking warm-up, take a slow ramble in the lush meadow just north of the parking lot. The first segment of the Humphreys Trail crosses the meadow. In late summer, wildflowers dot the grassy expanse with color -- purple-blue lupines, deep-blue delphiniums and red paintbrush.

This is a good vantage point for views of the surrounding forests and rocky heights of the San Francisco Mountains. It's also a place to take note of the fact that these peaks are considered sacred by members of the Navajo and Hopi tribes.

Trek a forest trail

Visitors who want something more vigorous than a meadow walk -- but not a strenuous uphill climb -- might find the perfect "in between" on the Kachina Trail. See directions in the "Get to the peaks" section below.

The trail follows a gently rolling course across the middle slopes of the mountain range -- paying big scenic dividends for moderate physical effort.

Scenery along the five-mile path includes grand stands of aspens, tall conifers and small meadows of tall grasses and wildflowers. You might spot elk or deer, and you're almost certain to see lots of birds.

Even though the Kachina Trail poses no serious climbing, keep in mind that the altitude of about 9,000 feet might affect the endurance of some hikers. If that's the case, consider hiking just a mile or two of the route and then returning to the trailhead.

Climb Humphreys Peak

A 4.5-mile trek to the summit of Humphreys Peak, the apex of Arizona, is on the must-do list of many avid hikers.