Humphrey: early March 2014?

[Jim]

Just wondering if anyone is planning on Humphrey this winter from December of 2012 to March of 2013? The recent photo set of the trail just got me wondering, so I thought I would ask.

I mean a snow hike, not the trail itself. This route: http://hikearizona.com/decoder=1925


That is all.

Edited to change to March 2014.

[big_load]

Is it true that some of the other peaks that are off-limits during the summer are legal to climb in the winter? I don't have any plans, but I could be called to Tucson in January or February. I'm not sure I'd want to bring snowshoes along, and even less sure that I could maintain much of a pace at altitude with extra weight on my feet. It's tempting to consider, though.

[Jim]

Agassiz is legal when snow covered, as is Fremont if interested in that. Fremont is open year round, though. You can rent snow shoes, and you might try it just to do it. Watch Snowbowl for snow totals, and by January or February, if totals are over 5 feet I recommend it.

[Hippy]

"Hiking Agassiz Peak is only legal when it is covered by snow, and you will need to obtain a free backcountry permit from the US Forest Service at one of their offices prior to hiking"
Which is one of the sad reasons I won't be hiking the one for a very long time Hippy doesn't do snow....yet.

[Jim]

Well, over the last two years or so, we had a few triplogs on the winter route, and some photo sets, too. I was hoping if the Peaks get a healthy winter, then some people might make the journey. I hope there is a member or two that wants to hike it and post some pics. I give it a < 1% chance that I will make the trip, and I have doubts about a Colorado snowshoe trip, and even doubts about a snow shoe summit in the Sierra Blanca area, so seeing some recent pics of the Peaks in the middle of winter would be nice.


If people do decide to attempt a summit, January and February are the best months, as December tends to be early and the snow below the 10,500' can be thin, and March tends to be warm and getting windy. Also the March sun is getting strong and while it is pleasant, it starts to melt the surface layer of snow. Provided there hasn't been a snow drought for a few weeks or more, the time from MLK weekend to Valentine's Day, is probably the best time for winter summit conditions.

[big_load]

Is there any typical consistency to the snow up there if it's not newly-fallen? Does it get somewhat packed?

[Jim]

Yes, after a week of sunny days and cold nights, and people making tracks, it is common for a path to form. In long periods of no snow, you can almost go with just boots, up to tree line at least. No so much above that point.

[toddak]

If we get some good deep stuff I'm sure I'll head up. Or maybe up to Lockett Meadow and into Inner Basin, that's always great too. Or do both. C'MON SNOW!!!

[Hippy]

alright, i've discussed it with a few of my fellow crazies, we're for sure gonna hit agassiz once we get some snows after the new year. i'll make it annoyingly obvious when we head up in case anyone wants to join us.

[imike]

I have it on the calendar for early June! Will there still be snow then?! It will be part of a week of hikes: Wheeler, Humphries, Grahm, Kimbell, Thimble and Picacho... with a technical canyoneering day thrown in... and a Rim to Rim to Rim try to balance out the trip. We'll promote it using the Las Cruces Meetup site...

[Jim]

Agassiz is OK for winter, but I really recommend you try Humphrey.

Mike, the Peaks are snow free by June, really by late April for travel above treeline. Agassiz is a mid-winter hike if doing it with snow conditions.

[imike]

Agassiz is OK for winter, but I really recommend you try Humphrey.

Mike, the Peaks are snow free by June, really by late April for travel above treeline. Agassiz is a mid-winter hike if doing it with snow conditions.

Ah... good to know. Unfortunately, Wheeler is usually too deep until late May... although I guess we could do that one with snow shoes. I'd like all of the routes to be clear, but then again... earlier the better for cooler days...

[Hippy]

Agassiz is OK for winter, but I really recommend you try Humphrey.

Hey Jim, I'm gonna hit both as long as I can find at least one person to join me next month. I probably shouldn't attempt my first snow summit alone

so...if anyone wants to go, lemme know, it's probably gonna be the last thurs/fri in Jan (or week before that)

[PatrickL]

I'll certainly be in as long as I can find suitable footwear. I'd like to do more hikes in the snow, but I can totally see myself buying a pair of boots, using them for this, and then having them sit in my closet forever (or until that fateful day when I finally hike Shasta). Would a moisture wicking tee, fleece, and rain shell suffice for a comfortable torso, Jim? I figure some cheap long-johns and my "water repellent" pants might work for the legs.

And Hippy, I'll have that Friday off.

[Jim]

Possibly, it all depends on how cold, and really how windy it is. I would try it out on a cold hike a little lower down.

[ultrazona]

I am game....just need footwear....

[Hippy]

Patrick, if you roll in the snow for 3 hours will your pants keep you dry? then you should be ok. Also I hiked Humphreys in July this year and had on long johns, my hiking convertibles, vibram fiver fingers, a tank top, a lightweight long sleeve and my green fleecey...i was warm enough...IN JULY!!!!! I sure as heck hope you're more immune to the cold and wet and snow then I am if you wanna wear a fleece up Humphrey in the snow...just sayin
I'm gonna be bundled up like a marshamallow until I get warmed up, but knowing me i'll face plant the snow 18 times so I'll keep my warm clothing at the ready!
Vince, REI had snowbootsies on clearance/sale in Tempe last night, go poke around, but online works too!

My dates are set for Jan 24/25 or Jan 31/Feb 1st, depending on the weather man's forecast.

[DBmooner]

@Jim_H
there can be snow on the peak in June the first time i tryed to hike it we had one last freak storm wouldnt recomend it tho the snow was soft so going up you sunk wast deep in some parts and when we were heading down the melting snow froze so it turned into a big slip and slide

[PatrickL]

I have yet to use my pants in the rain, but I doubt they would last that long. I too was on Humphreys in July, and I froze my pumpkin off at the top (It was seriously cold that morning). Either way, it sounds to me like I'll have to have some different gear for this one.

[Jim]

FYI: Snowbowl is making snow this season. I observed a report on their website advertising their doing so, and as such snow depth can no longer be used to determine the condition of the back country for snow travel. The Kachina Peaks website may be the best option, but you might be able to guess based on the resort's reported snowfall to date. That will provided totals from early in the season and that snow can melt off, but you can get an idea. I personally feel you need over 100 inches to cover the rocks, but you can go around them. Hopefully, you'll get a nice 24 to 36 inch storm to cover them, by the time of your trip.
http://www.Kachinapeaks.org >>> observations, if there are any for the west side.