Snow on Humphreys

[DennisWilliams]

How much snow up on Humphreys and is the road in to Locketts OK? Would like to do the Inner Basin next weekend.

[azbackpackr]

Sure looks like there still is a fair amount up there, at least from a distance.

[chumley]

There's snow above 11,000 feet on the north and other shetered slopes. Lockett Meadow road is open and fine but getting to the summit via inner basin right now might be a challenge in some spots.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/ ... rdb5339811

[CdnInAz]

has anyone been up past week? Wonder if still snow. I'm thinking of doing drive north in morning to get a hike away from Phoenix heat. Suppose trail will be crowded, ah well.

[chumley]

There'll be snow in the trees and sheltered areas higher up. Exposed areas should be snow free.
http://www.arizonasnowbowl.com/sites/al ... z00001.jpg

This one is at 9300 feet (snowpack originally aided by snowmaking), so you can see that there will be residual snow in sheltered areas at higher elevations.
http://www.arizonasnowbowl.com/sites/al ... t00005.jpg

This view is from Bellemont. Humphreys is on the left. The west-facing slopes are in view. There will be snow before you get above the treeline. The inner basin may have areas of substantial snow above 11,000.
http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/images/fgz/webcam/camera1.jpg

[toddak]

Warm day up in Flagstaff today, the remaining snow is melting fast. There are still some deep drifts in the shady areas on the Inner Basin trail above about 10,500' up to treeline, but they are not icy and there are enough tracks across them that it's not hard to negotiate. Mostly just a nuisance, occasionally you might break through the crust and get knee deep and some damp feet. Above treeline it's dry dirt all the way to the summit, except for one easy drift to cross. Very large numbers of bugs and hikers on the summit today, views were quite hazy.

[CdnInAz]

thanks for your replies chumley and toddak. I did not make it up today, did an early morning with my son that we cut short, then I salvaged the afternoon by driving to Sedona for a hike. Anyhow, based on your comments, I might take Monday off and get up to Humphreys while there is still snow (silly I know, but there is an appeal for me to hike AZ in June with snow ha ha). I guess advantage of Monday will be fewer people on the trail. Thanks again.

[DennisWilliams]

I did get up there on Saturday. Snow in the trees at the upper end of Inner Basin Trail and above Weatherford junction also. A few people in the Basin but a non-stop conga line from the saddle up to Humphreys from Snowbowl. Hundreds, I would guess. Swarms of gnats on the top. Worst I've seen it.

[Jim]

Hey, at least it was a party atmosphere, with that conga line!

Now, was it a hedonist party atmosphere, cause that is when it gets really fun. ;)

[DennisWilliams]

@Jim_HWhile I enjoyed my single malt scotch on the summit a certain aroma wafted up from a group seated about 20 yards below. I'm sure they all have their medical marijuana cards.

[chumley]

And the natives think that snow made from reclaimed wastewater is offensive!