HikeArizona.COM

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.

While the capability is there, I don't believe that Snowbowl has actually made any artificial snow yet this year. And unless there is an extended dry spell, I wouldn't expect them to make any except maybe to help shore up the lift area as spring approaches. Their snow sticks are off-trail and not somewhere that they would be shooting a snow gun anyway!

One added resource for the peaks is the Snowslide Canyon Snowtel site in the inner basin. It doesn't give a complete picture of what's going on, but it is one more piece of data that can be used. http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/nwcc/site? ... 7&state=AZ

They had an advertisement stating that they have been making snow every night. They had it on their snow report page, which has since been updated to reflect the new natural snow, but they clearly said they have been making it. Neither of us know how little or how much they have made, but they have advertised doing so. I sent Jake a link showing him this, so if he saw it in time, he can chime in.

I'm not saying they are reporting flawed data. I am saying that the natural depth they report should be higher than 100 inches to guarantee that back country obstacles are safely covered, as the reading will include early storms which have since melted off. I don't think they even include artificial snow in the season total, or they shouldn't, as that isn't "snow fall". Their settled depth could, though? Regardless, unless I lived in Flagstaff and it didn't cost me much to get there, or unless I just really want to summit, I would wait for at least one good sized storm, 24 to 36 inches in size.

I still say they need more than 100 inches for good back country. You can go around the open area, but SB reports at 10,800', which is at the top of the Dutchman. The bottom is right around 10,000', if I recall correctly and that is also where the largest rocks happen to be. Even the Snowslide area only reports settle depths in the low 30s, which is probably not enough at this point. I like to see over 50 inches. This is just me, and people can go out and do what they like. I never turned back due to lack of snow.

http://www.arizonasnowbowl.com/resort/snow_report.php
Check out today's "Surface Conditions". They advertise continuing to make snow.

Hopefully, you'll have to postpone to the February date, as a series of weak to possibly strong storms is forecast over the weekend and into early next week. If it works out well, a nice heavy dump will occur and you have a fresh layer to hike on. You'll need it above treeline as there is virtually nothing up there. Probably need it at all elevations, as it looks like another poor winter thus far.

Snowbowl reports impressive accumulations over the last week, dense snow turning to dry powder. Perfect for establishing a base if there was not a good one over rocks on the route. Any avalanche danger will subside to more normal baseline levels by Friday, and the next couple of weeks may be the peak of the season for back country travel. Bob is planning on Friday. Hopefully some other folks will head out as well. February and March will show how they end up, but in past years, the strengthening sun and emerging spring winds meant that the snow would be soft slop on descent by February's end, and winds were picking up, limiting visibility and making for less enjoyable summits. By mid-March, it is really more a spring summit, not winter. Unless you happen to get out right after a big spring storm. Get out there and enjoy soon, if you plan to summit this winter. :bdh: :SB: :FG:

We need you back on this route Jim, I'm not tough enough to break trail all the way to the top!

Do the locals not snowshoe the glade to the peak or was it just Jim? Unless someone breaks trail isn't it a slog in warm temps with all that new powder? My best snowshoe treks up Mt Baldy have been with no trail in freezing temps not after snowfalls--but Jim is the expert on Humphreys.

Well, about 5 to 6 years ago, I was a member of the Flagstaff "Outdoor Club". One of them thought I did stuff that was too hard, and Humphrey was dangerous. One person was hostile enough to say I was reckless. These were people who lived there. I would run into people up there from time to time, but they were never from Flag. I know I wasn't the only one who snowshoed Humphrey and was local, but it felt like it. The hardcore locals skied the Peaks, and didn't seem interested in a specific peak to summit.

It is definitely a hard hike, and I would probably find it extreme right now. I'm in nowhere as good of shape as I was in early 2011 when I did Humphrey a lot and Whitney in a day. I was pretty good last spring, but this is a low time of year. It's really hard breaking trail in snow, and it really only gets harder above the bomber wreck as it gets steeper, the snow piles into drifts, and if there is a hard wind blowing ice crystals at your face it is near torture at times. Still, I liked it. If I go back next winter or so, I would need to train pretty well at lower elevation.

One thing about me though, is just like the skiers who knew the mountain well and would get all over it, is I am very comfortable out there. I had no problem being out well after dark. In fact, I found that I preferred to get down after dark as it was more fun, you could see things like Las Vegas, NV's light pool (above 11,000' or so, and there was no traffic. If you're trying to be down by or right after sunset, that puts a damper in things.

Heck I miss those "easy" Eldon hikes with you, and your acerbic wit and sarcasm...

Aw, shucks....

So Jim how much snowshoe traffic do you guess dutchman glade or AC get per week as I suspect we need some traffic to open things up for us flatlanders.

When you were frequenting it were you able to follow your same established snowshoe packed route?

It usually sees at least a few people a week, on average. I would follow my tracks weeks later if a storm never came through, so it was really easy to go up after a while.

triplog....more pics...and route....tonight.

Heading back this fri

@BobP

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;)

With more new snow, and all the snow in the last month, this should be another good weekend to summit Humphrey this winter.

Just a thought, as we move into March and Spring, the snow surface conditions tend to deteriorate creating less than ideal conditions for snowshoeing. However, the wind is the real issue for the first few weeks until the sun gets to be stronger. Point is, you can still summit and have a good trip.

Alternatively, If you don't like the idea of a summit, and with the NWS Bellemont Cam showing an Everest like plume coming off the summit I can't blame you, a back country trip can still be enjoyed. Jake's Cirque provides an excellent way to experience the Peaks in winter. It is protected from most wind, too.

http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2185
http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=126584

Actually, that would probably make a very enjoyable overnight trip. Camping in the trees a little below the main cirque, and hanging out in the afternoon. Longer days in March make it a little more fun, too.

This storm predicted for the first weekend in March could be a big one and a boon for the Peaks, but it might not be that great, either. If they pick up 2 to 3 feet, which hopefully will happen given some of the totals predicted to the west in California and the widespread moisture for the lower, but central parts of the state of Arizona, the pack will finally be worthy of a visit.

Given that, is anyone planning on a trip up old Humphrey in the first week of March? After the storm passes, and out to the 9th, is likely to be the best bet for good conditions, and might be the best in years, going back as far as early 2011, from what I understand.

Wind can be up this time of year, even dramatically over a few weeks ago, and the sun is stronger than a month ago, so the snow can be sloppy late in the day. If you go, I recommend an earlier start to maximize snow conditions, and sunscreen or a hat to protect against the sun, as well as sunglasses. As always: take pictures, pictures pictures!

I'll definitely be up there sometime after the precipitation rolls through. It was good enough when I was up there however many days ago so any extra snow is appreciated. Hopefully it won't be so bare above treeline so I can get Agassiz into the mix.

Skied Snowbowl yesterday - snow in the early AM was icy but by mid-afternoon with temps in the mid 40's it was wet cement. There was essentially no snow below 8000', so it was a relatively warm storm. The coverage up high looked OK, but the outlines of rocks are clearly visible under the snow layer, so I don't think it's very deep, probably won't last long if it stays warm.

Hoping to have a car Thursday/Friday and I'm hoping to be on Humphreys on Monday. Hopefully I can get up there on Friday instead.