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| Hiking | 10.25 Miles |
3,313 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.25 Miles | 5 Hrs 55 Mns | | 2.05 mph |
| 3,313 ft AEG | 55 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | I had a free day and with the forecast for the monsoon flow to move east and the Bellemont Peaks webcam showing clear skies over Humphrey yesterday, I made the drive to hike Humphrey today. I might ordinarily avoid Humphrey in monsoon season, but it appeared the Peaks were out of the storm risk, even if not under clear skies today. It ended up that my first glimpse of them was with them covered in clouds, but they were low clouds like one sees in winter, and a large area of lenticular clouds was present over the Rim near Camp Verde. The sky today looked more like fall and a passing cold front, than high summer. The unseasonably cool temperatures matched.
Starting out I felt the altitude for a change. I don't live at 7000', 5700', or even 4500', anymore. I was fine for the hike and didn't really notice much more than not feeling as strong as I once did up high, and I felt like I was moving slower, even if I wasn't. The cold was the real issue. It was very windy, and pretty cold for July on Humphrey, and overcast with dense clouds and only minimal breaks of sun until I was probably 75% of the way down to Snowbowl. The Agassiz reporting station at 11,526', had temps of only 44 to 45 degree and wind gusts to 40 MPH, though only sustained in the teens, when I was on top. I think it was a little windier on the summit and higher ridges as I had trouble walking. I was really glad I stopped at REI to use my dividend and buy a fleece. I could have used pants, too.
Otherwise, the Peaks, and really much of northern Arizona and Flagstaff on the I-17 corridor to Snowbowl, is very lush and green. It looks nothing like the way it normally would, and appears more like mid to late August, with tall green grass and ponded water in many places. The alpine flowers look very lush, and there are a great many flowering. More than I recall for being a little early. I was really surprised to see as much snow as there is, this late in to summer. The Cirque has what resembles a real glacier, with ice and snow. Spring here was cold and snowy this year. |
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Wildflowers Observation Substantial
In the tundra mostly. |
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