Inner Basin Snowshoe Foray!

[Jim]

A definition of "Foray" may be interesting:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foray


As we all know, I love Humphrey in Winter. I had wanted to do it from the Inner Basin to try something new, but with the numerous recent slides and avalanches, I am concerned about the snow stability to exit the Inner Basin and reach the summit. Therefore, I am planning to do an Inner Basin hike that in all likelihood will not involve summiting a peak in the San Francisco Peaks. I know, it's something new for me and almost sacrilegious. There is potential I might try to do Doyle or Fremont, but at this point I give it a 1% chance of occurring since we will need to start around 7600', below Sugarloaf, and the snow on the north faces is probably the least stable right now. Plus, I think I want to just head out and be in the basin as it looks incredibly beautiful from the western ridge of the Peaks. I will use the Inner Basin trail, and may make use of Jake's Cirque route as well.

You will need snowshoes, but not a lot of other gear since winds should not be that bad in the protected basin. I still recommend gators, but that's about it. Rental shoes are 10 dollars ( I believe ) at various outfitters in Flagstaff, and I know REI has them. Attention: you do NOT need a wilderness permit to access the Inner Basin, ever! The permit requirement is only enforced for entry from Snowbowl or Snowbowl Road, so you do not need one to do this. That may have been a concern for some.

To make the most of the day, I want to start early for me, say 930am, and get back to the car at dusk or shortly after, say 630 to 7pm. I have this set for the 20th, but if more people think the 27th is better, or weather is poor on the 20th, I can postpone by a week. If I postpone and weather is bad on the 27th, then I'll put it off again. I think you get the idea.

A few lovely Inner Basin photos!:
http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=52543
http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=121593
http://hikearizona.com/phoZOOM.php?ZIP=121599

[toddak]

I can highly recommend this foray, especially if there's fresh snow (and particularly with Jim there to break trail if its deep!). I've found that ski poles (or hiking poles if they came with thread-on type baskets) are also helpful, they get the arms involved and make it a little easier on the legs.

The unique beauty of the Inner Basin in winter will give you a fresh perspective and renewed appreciation for this magnificent place.

[Jim]

I think I'll do this on Friday the 19th instead of the 20th, since there is a forecast for weather on Saturday. It's just as well that I have this planned instead of Humphrey as it is also forecast to be windy on Friday. I expect that the Inner Basin is shielded from a west wind and will be pretty nice.

I'm not sure about the next available date, or long term weather, but I would like to slip in something else between this Friday and doing this again, so I'm scheduling my next IB trip for the 6th. I got rid of all the smiley men.

[Jim]

I just got back from doing this yesterday. I'm curious if this would attract attention if it was to be completed as an overnight in the basin, perhaps with a summit of Humphrey? Or, does this hike in winter not seem very fun to most people?

[allanalxndr]

I'd love to do it... I just dont have the gear needed, or the warmer clothes.

[BobP]

I'll know next Wed. if I can do this or not....if anyone wants to head up from the valley and borrow snowshoes either respond here or pm me...you can still borrow the shoes if I don't go.

[Jim]

Cool, I hope we have good conditions. I think I will try to gain the rim of the volcano above the cirque again, and I might try to summit either Agassiz or Humphrey. We'll see as that is a long hike and I might just wait to do it.

[Jim]

It's early and I don't want to spook anyone, but there is a forecast for a storm next Saturday. It could be nothing at all, but this may be canceled/ forced to Friday for me if it becomes a real storm.

[BobP]

I can't do Sat...so I will probably head up very early Fri and start at daybreak.... way early for you. I'm looking to take a route thru the gravel pit and bypass some of the road. then thru lockett and beyond.

[Jim]

I can't so it Saturday either, and I have other plans for Friday now. Maybe I'll do it next week or some other time.