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I have lived in Flagstaff since August 2006. I love our only real local mountain hike (Humphrey) and try to do it as often as possible. I wasn't around these parts during the last wet winter, which was 2005. Last year was exceedingly dry, but even then there was still a little snow on the trail in late May, and early June if you can believe it.

I am wondering, with all the snow we have had this year (over 8 feet sitting at mid-mountain at Snowbowl), how will the trail be in May and June? Will there be deep snow or a lot of mud? Barring a complete cessation of precipitation and a dramatic warm-up (which actually happened last year at this time), can I expect a "clean" hike on Humphrey by Memorial Day, mid-June, or not at all this year? I wonder if these wet years make Humphrey not so great? Is it the kind of thing where once the snow melts off the monsoon comes in and the lightning-hail threat picks up?

I've seen snow on the final mile into mid June and patches (on the upper inner slopes) even later. Never had a mud issue once on the trail (across the grassland start). Others likely know better if they've experienced a hike during snow melt.

Flat out amazed on Kendrick in a summer deluge. There wasn't water running down the trail or really anywhere for that matter. Figures as these mountains likely aren't granite.

Little monsoon threat if you start at 6am. Seems the storms usually get churning around 10am by which time you're almost done or at least out of the upper slopes.

jhodlof wrote: Is it the kind of thing where once the snow melts off the monsoon comes in and the lightning-hail threat picks up?

I suppose that is possible. There was actually still a bit of snow in the higher elevations of the Supes this past weekend. We hiked through a few areas where the snow had only recently melted in the last day or two. The trail was very muddy in spots. My boots are definitely worse for wear.

jhodlof wrote: I wonder if these wet years make Humphrey not so great?

In my opinion these wet years make almost everything better, including Humphrey's. One of the best day's I've ever had on Humphrey's was a June accent from Lockett Meadow. Above the Inner Basin I encountered stretches of waist deep snow. I know that is not most peoples idea of fun, but I thought it was great.
I don't know your resume or preferences, but you could always leave the Flagstaff area and hike something other than Humphrey's in the summer....I'm just saying. It's a big state.

It is a big state and region. I plan on a week or so in Colorado doing some 14ers, and I want to take in a peak in the La Sals of Utah (near Moab). As far as AZ goes, I am open to hiking other mountains, but none are as high or as challenging a hike. I'm not into climbing. Really, Humphrey is great for a lazy person like me who wants to roll out of bed on Saturday at 9am and go hike a 12K' peak. Its right there and its usually awesome.
I want to start doing some other mountains off the plateau this year, but I still want to find out how Humphrey will be in what I consider the best time of year to be hiking (May and June). It would suck if the weather was great and the trail was miserable.

I always want to start hiking early on the weekends, but I'm not being realistic if I think I'll start hiking before 9am. Even in monsoon season I don't typically start before 930 or 10am. It made for some fun hikes on Humphrey last year. This time of year with the cold and the dark I've been starting up Humphrey by 10, 1030 some mornings.

jhodlof wrote: As far as AZ goes, I am open to hiking other mountains, but none are as high or as challenging a hike.

Well, it's hard to disagree with the fact that no other mtns are as high as Humphrey's, but not as challenging? Really? And now I will proceed to look like an idiot while I struggle to come up with examples. I will repost when I think of some.

Colorado would be awesome. I am hoping to spend a week in Chicago Basin next year, ticking off the surrounding peaks. I think they are mostly 13er's though. I drove to the top of Pikes Peak once. Does that count? A few years ago I went to Canyonlands for a week. I love canyons, but I seemed to have spent a lot of time staring at the La Sals when I was there. I hear that it is an incredible range. It sure looks like it is.

jhodlof wrote: I always want to start hiking early on the weekends, but I'm not being realistic if I think I'll start hiking before 9am. Even in monsoon season I don't typically start before 930 or 10am. It made for some fun hikes on Humphrey last year. This time of year with the cold and the dark I've been starting up Humphrey by 10, 1030 some mornings.

We have one thing in common. I used to be all about early mornings, but then I got a girlfriend (fiance now).

Challenging for me, would in this case be speaking strictly of the elevation. Nothing makes a hike hard like thin air. I'm usually fine at 12,633', but begin to notice a decline in stamina around 13k' and am really sluggish at 14k'+.

I'm not into climbing (never done it) so with hiking being the main source of challenge, I tend to think either in terms of trail steepness or altitude. I did Ajo Peak last year. While that trail was plenty steep (at times)the altitude was low, and I felt like a bunny on steroids heading up that mountain. It was great fun, but not a challenge. Maybe I should look at heat as a challenge. Quartz peak looks like a cool hike. I'll bet its a serious challenge in June!

jhodlof wrote: Quartz peak looks like a cool hike. I'll bet its a serious challenge in June!

For sure! Heat destroys me! I'd have a hard time hiking downhill in the heat.

Hey, it wouldn't be challenging for you, but I bet you would enjoy Mt. Wrightson (9452 ft). There are a myriad of trails to the summit, so you could mix it up pretty good. It's kind of a haul for you, it's south of Tucson. I was going to suggest Baboquivari (http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=4), but it does require 5th class climbing to reach the summit. I have done it's easiest route unroped, but that was really a stupid thing to do and I don't recommend it.

What about the Four Peaks Motherlode? That's challenging in my opinion.

Just wondering if anyone had any more recent info about Humphreys? I'm from MD so I am not familiar with current snow levels, etc. My wife and I hope to be traveling in AZ around the 3rd week in May. I would like to do this hike but from the previous posts and other info I have read I suppose this would be too early? I am not looking for a technical snow hike. Thanks

From the people I have talked to around Flag, it won' be a technical snow hike because even at 12000' this is still Arizona, but you will have wet conditions. I would bring waterproof boots, or a few changes of socks. As long as you plan for being wet in the foot, you'll be fine. There is somewhere between 6 and 7 feet of snow around 10,800', so there will still be a lot up there in late May.

So, is anyone thinking of doing Humphrey this weekend (Memorial Day weekend)? Let us know how the trail was if you go.
I was going to, but now I don't know. I think I'll end up in Sedona instead.