Humphreys Peak, Feb. 23-24

[fairweather8588]

Attention all those on HikeArizona who believe themselves to be crazy, there will be a summiting of Humphrey's Peak on the weekend of the 23rd-24th. We'll be going up the night before to spend the night to help give us all day to climb and enjoy the views, taking the Weatherford trail up. Expect snow, veery cold weather and lots of pain the next day. Now it's time to man up, who all is game?

[Hoffmaster]

What's the proposed route? Please say "the Weatherford Trail."

[fairweather8588]

"the Weatherford Trail"

As long as the drivings ok for that (I have no idea what the conditions will be)

[Jim]

Its not currently possible to get to the Weatherford trail. Schultz pass road is locked and it would take hours of skiing or snow shoeing to get to the trailhead at the tank. Besides, you would then have to go through more of that cross country none sense on the trail to reach Humphrey saddle and then proceed to the ridge and summit. In summer it might be fun, but this time of year its not practical.

I've been up Humphrey 4 times this January, and Agassiz 2 time this winter. Its best just to snow shoe and crampon up the west ridge above the Dutchman glade. No sense in the Weatherford trail, and the Humphrey trail is buried.
Just go to Snowbowl and follow the trail from Agassiz lodge. The skiers path takes you to the Dutchman glade, and from there you just head upslope.

Don't forget the back country permit, available at FS offices in town and the Agassiz lodge.

[fairweather8588]

Its not currently possible to get to the Weatherford trail. Schultz pass road is locked and it would take hours of skiing or snow shoeing to get to the trailhead at the tank. Besides, you would then have to go through more of that cross country none sense on the trail to reach Humphrey saddle and then proceed to the ridge and summit. In summer it might be fun, but this time of year its not practical.

I've been up Humphrey 4 times in January, and Agassiz 2 time this winter. Its best just to snow shoe and crampon up the west ridge above the Dutchman glade. No sense in the Weatherford trail, and the Humphrey trail is buried.
Just go to Snowbowl and follow the trail from Agassiz lodge. The skiers path takes you to the Dutchman glade, and from there you just head upslope.

Don't forget the back country permit, available at FS offices in town and the Agassiz lodge.

Awesome man, thanks a lot for all of the first hand info (without this website I'd be screwed)

[Hoffmaster]

Its not currently possible to get to the Weatherford trail. Schultz pass road is locked and it would take hours of skiing or snow shoeing to get to the trailhead at the tank. Besides, you would then have to go through more of that cross country none sense on the trail to reach Humphrey saddle and then proceed to the ridge and summit. In summer it might be fun, but this time of year its not practical.

I've been up Humphrey 4 times this January, and Agassiz 2 time this winter. Its best just to snow shoe and crampon up the west ridge above the Dutchman glade. No sense in the Weatherford trail, and the Humphrey trail is buried.
Just go to Snowbowl and follow the trail from Agassiz lodge. The skiers path takes you to the Dutchman glade, and from there you just head upslope.

Don't forget the back country permit, available at FS offices in town and the Agassiz lodge.

Hmmm, well that stinks. I guess I'll have to hike from Snowbowl...again. I guess I wasn't looking for practicality or the quickest way to top, just different scenery. I don't care if it's really hard to go a certain way; that's why I do this stuff..to challenge myself. Regardless, Humphrey's in the snow is always fun!

We need a permit? For what? I don't remember ever getting one before.

[chumley]

We need a permit? For what? I don't remember ever getting one before.

From Coconino NF Website:

Kachina Peaks Wilderness Access permits, commonly known as backcountry permits, required in winter for access to the Kachina Peaks Wilderness area, are available at the Peaks Ranger District and the Supervisor's Office in winter weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at Agassiz Lodge at the Arizona Snowbowl (when the Snowbowl is open) from 9 to 11 a.m. This free permit is designed to help inform backcountry snow recreationists about travel hazards, and to assist the Forest Service and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office with search and rescue should that become necessary. Permits are only required for accessing the backcountry from Arizona Snowbowl and the Snowbowl Road.

Backcountry permits are valid for the entire winter and are designed for snowshoers, cross-country skiers and snowboarders using the Kachina Peaks Wilderness. Permits are required to be displayed in the front windshield of the permit holder’s vehicle if the vehicle is parked at the Lamar Haines trailhead, the entrance of the Freidlein Prairie Road (Forest Road 522) or the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Area.

In addition to having a permit, backcountry campers, skiers and snowboarders who launch their trip from the Ski Area or the Snowbowl Road also need to enter information in one of three trip registers. The Coconino National Forest added a new trip register location at the Lamar Haines trailhead on Snowbowl Road last year. The others are at the ticket window at the Hart Prairie Lodge and near the top of the Agassiz chairlift.

The Forest Service wants people to enjoy backcountry winter activities—but with a high degree of safety. The information we’re asking for is intended to help people avoid dangers associated with avalanches and hypothermia. When someone reads the hazard warnings on the permit, it usually makes them stop and think for a few moments, and this is often exactly what is needed to introduce the element of caution that can save a person’s life.

Backcountry permits, which are free of charge, are available at the Peaks/Mormon Lake Ranger Station and the Supervisor's Offices during the week. Once the Arizona Snowbowl opens, permits may also be obtained at the ticket window at the Agassiz Lodge on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM. For more information, call the Peaks/Mormon Lake Ranger Station at (928) 526-0866.

[rally_toad]

Im getting cold just reading about this idea. Good luck guys.

Brrrrrrrrr

[Jim]

Well, if you wanted to take in some snow camping, and are an expert backcountry skier you could do the Weatherford trail from Schultz Pass and start at the gate near 180, but its really not safe to be on the Weatherford trail until the snow melts off. The steep slope and deep snow on the backside of Agassiz will make crossing from Fremont Saddle to Humphrey Saddle very difficult. You'd really need telli-skis to do it.

This time of year Snowbowl is the only way for the pedestrian hiker/ snow-shoer.

I'm planning on next Saturday (the 16th)to do Humphrey and Agassiz, but we are supposed to get snow on Thursday. If that happens I'll head to lower elevation and hike, making my next Peaks hike be on the 23rd. Maybe I'll see you guys out there.

[Hoffmaster]

Right on! Thanks for the info.

[Jim]

I don't know what route it is that you plan to follow, but it looks like another storm is coming for mid to late next week. If that is the case, then you should reconsider your hike for next weekend. With fresh snow on the mountain it can be really hard to hike it. Its needs a few days of sun and wind to set up and become ideal for shoeing on.

[Hoffmaster]

To be honest, I have no idea what route we are taking. We will probably hike no matter what the weather conditions are. It's no big deal if we don't summit, I've been up there a few times already. I just want to be outside.

[Jim]

It can be dangerous coming down. Last time I was up there some of the new powder was only about 48 hours old. There was a crust of set material forming on top, but if you broke through that it was like ice. I didn't slide much, but it wasn't fun being above treeline and sliding. That was with a storm that produced very little accumulation. You can always stick to the rock, but that can be icy.

[Jim]

I went to the summit today from Agassiz Lodge. Even with the 10 inches or so of fresh snow it was pretty good out. Windy, but the hike was good. As long as the weather on the day of the hike cooperates you should be OK. Have fun. I have other plans for next weekend, but if you go let me know how deep in the snow the trail's sign-in box is, that is if you can find it.

[Hoffmaster]

Is this thing still happening? I'm ready!

[Hoffmaster]

I have other plans for next weekend, but if you go let me know how deep in the snow the trail's sign-in box is, that is if you can find it.

I wouldn't even know where to look for it.

[fairweather8588]

Oh I was born ready! Any other takers out there?

[Hoffmaster]

I might have a 3rd person.
Do you have snow shoes, are you renting them, are you even bringing them?

[fairweather8588]

I've got some instep crampons for my Torre gtx's, last minute rentals for snowshoes can be done in Flag. However, looking at the weather channel site and the noaa site, supposed to be getting quite a bit of snow from now to late saturday. we'll see how it develops

[te_wa]

if you guys watch the weather and bail b/c of limited road access or other reason(s)
maybe we can arrange an overnight backpack somewhere warmer. I have a new pack I want to try out.