Last year my son (who lives in Flagstaff) and I set out to climb Humphreys Peak. Wanting to see more of the mountain we opted for the Weatherford trail route from Shultz Pass. This is much longer, probably well over 20 miles with ~5000 gain but well worth it if you have the time. We did an overnight backpack camping at Doyle Saddle and yes there is no water on the mountain. It was August and while ascending the south slopes to camp we were pounded with classic monsoon storms of heavy rain, muddy flooding trails and hail. The forests are dense and more like temperate rain forest with lots of aspen,really different from the sierra. As we made camp the views of the colorful rock in the inner basin made the wet hike up all worth it. Starting very early the next day we made it to the "saddle" where you join the ski area trail with OK weather. We got to within about 1/8 mile of the summit and as the weather rapidly deteriorated beat a hasty retreat off a very exposed ridge. The alpine area south of where the ski hut trail takes you is very special with lots of low growing plants and flowers due to all the summer rain. The habitat is so unique that any hiking off trail ( except for the summit ridege) will be a $200 fine. The forested areas lower down had an amazing variety of mushrooms of every color.
If you feel you don't have time or want this long of a hike the Inner Basin trail will hook up to the Weatherford and round trip short enough for a day hike. The area is in the Kachina Peaks wilderness no permit required in the summer.
We plan to meet again in Flagstaff for another go in a couple of weeks for another trip up the mountain.
Bythebeach
