Mount Humphrey advise

[pahiker]

Coming down at the end of May to hike Humphrey, was wondering what to expect in the line of temps (esp bottom vs top) and trail conditions.

[Jim]

If the spring is warm there will be a lot of melt off, so muddy trail conditions transitioning to packed melting snow and ice, mixed with patchy mud up higher before dry conditions above treeline. The Ski area will actually be operating this and next weekend, so there is a fair amount of snow to melt. June is better. Usually after mid-June. Mud and packed ice are the main issue, and you will have it. Just depends on how much.

Temps will vary, but highs in the low 50s to maybe 60s at the TH, 30s and 40s when you start with temps on the summit ranging from low 30s to as high as mid 50s. No need to start early, as the summer thunderstorm season isn't yet here. Not shorts weather, but no longer winter weather season, typically.

Wind, and lots of it, will be the main factor. May on the Peaks can be absolutely horrible unless we get very hot day where Arizona has settled in under a high. End of May can be Hurricane strength winds in Flag, so over 100 MPH above treeline is very reasonable. it can also be near calm, and depends on the day and whether or not there is a low to the north of the state. Watch the forecast.

Memorial Day of 2007 was gorgeous! High in the low 80s, sunny and calm in town, and pleasant on Humphrey and Freemont Peaks.
Memorial Day of 2008 was a miserable cold weekend with snow in town and cold conditions which sent weekend visitors headed home to the desert early.
Memorial Day of 2011 was 50 to 70 MPH winds and a high in Flagstaff of 55. Not a fun weekend.

If you are lucky, you will get a good day. Hopefully, you do.

[pahiker]

@Jim_H

Thanks. Will hope for good weather, plan alternatives if things are too bad. I was coming down to Az anyway, so thought I might try it if things are nice, if not then maybe September next year.

[Jim]

@pahiker
Odds are, this spring being as warm and dry as it has, it should be fine, but sometimes Flagstaff gets late bad weather. Last May was great.

[pahiker]

@Jim_H

By "fine" are you still expecting hard packed ice, or are you talking clear trails (mud is no concern). Just want to pack for the right conditions.

[Jim]

@pahiker Can't say 100%, but I meant temperatures, wind, and overall conditions. Last winter was relatively wet, so it probably had a good amount of mud, snow, and ice. If there are #151 triplogs, they should tell you. It got pretty warm very suddenly last May, and stayed that way, so it might have been nearly dry for the entire hike.

Someone like @DixieFlyer may do Humphrey in May. Scan logs as your trip approaches for condition reports. [ Humphreys Summit Trail #151 ]

[pahiker]

@Jim_H
Considered that, but the last May triplog was from 2018, so not holding out hope for new postings.

[Jim]

@pahiker I saw that, and that was a warm dry winter so no help for this year. I meant check back for new logs as your trip approaches. Someone might hike it around Memorial Day.

[pahiker]

@Jim_H

I understood what you meant, and I will check, I was just commenting on the likelihood of a May post since the last one was 3 years ago (2 if you consider the dearth of hiking last year at that time).

[Jim]

@pahiker
Humphrey wasn't real popular the last 2 Mays or Junes, it seems. Even I did Fremont and Kendrick, instead.

[pahiker]

@Jim_H

I'm doing the state peaks, which is why I was looking at Humphrey. If it doesn't work out I figure on just shooting over to Tonto.

[DixieFlyer]

the last May triplog was from 2018, so not holding out hope for new postings.

that should tell you all that you need to know about hiking HUMPHREYS PEAK in May

[pahiker]

@DixieFlyer

I am forever the optimist.

[pahiker]

Talked with the District Ranger yesterday, she said the ice was gone and only occasional snow on the trails. Not knowing how packed it might be was thinking of taking micro spikes. Would it get that packed, or shouldn't I bother?

[SpiderLegs]

Micro spikes are cheap, weigh next to nothing and take up scant room in a pack.