Mt. Humphreys Snow Beta

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Messages 1 - 17 of total 17 in this topic
darkmagus

Mountain climber
San Diego, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 27, 2017 - 10:50am PT
Wondering if anyone has climbed the East Ridge of Mt. Humphreys lately! I'll be heading up via McGee Creek on August 11th and wanted to find out about the snow situation (crampons or nah?), sketchy river crossings, etc. Any info helps! Thanks in advance!

-Mike
Hoots

climber
Mammoth Lakes, CA
Jul 27, 2017 - 04:15pm PT
No river crossings, snow travel is pretty casual at that elevation even early morning, you'll be boot skiing the descent in the afternoon.
Buttermilk approach is done-for, gotta go in from closer to Aspendell.
darkmagus

Mountain climber
San Diego, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 28, 2017 - 09:55am PT
Thanks for the reply and the approach beta! That was extremely helpful! Looks like a similar dirt road approach from Aspendell. Without your post I would have ventured onto Buttermilk Rd. like the hapless n00b that I am...
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Jul 28, 2017 - 10:29am PT
Is Buttermilk Rd closed?
FRUMY

Trad climber
Bishop,CA
Jul 28, 2017 - 10:35am PT
No Buttermilk road is not closed.
ruppell

climber
Jul 28, 2017 - 05:31pm PT
Have you been about 1/2 mile past Horton Lakes parking lately? It was washed out completely 2 months ago.
Reilly

Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
Jul 28, 2017 - 11:08pm PT
^^^^ LITE!
ruppell

climber
Jul 29, 2017 - 04:46pm PT
Just got done climbing at the Mountain Light Wall. We came in from the upper way and went out the lower way. The wash out isn't fixed but there is a bypass cut in. It's gnarly. We made it. My rigs got 33's though.

Basically it's got Subi stoppers on both approaches. Truck or nothing. Or a Subi you don't give a crap about maybe?


darkmagus

Mountain climber
San Diego, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Jul 31, 2017 - 04:11pm PT
Thanks so much for the picture and info...guess it's gonna be a rough ride!

I've been looking at maps and Google Earth and I THINK I've got a handle on the approach--head toward Aspendell, then turn onto that road with the aqueduct on it? Looks like that would link up to Buttermilk Rd. and then get us where we want to go. Is that right? Are there any man-made barriers on that road?

What's the ideal place to park and start hiking? Where the road ends and the trails begin? Or somewhere before that?

Sorry for what are obviously city-dwellin' n00b questions. I'm thanking the SuperTopo Gods for your wisdom and help!
ruppell

climber
Jul 31, 2017 - 05:41pm PT
I've been looking at maps and Google Earth and I THINK I've got a handle on the approach--head toward Aspendell, then turn onto that road with the aqueduct on it? Looks like that would link up to Buttermilk Rd. and then get us where we want to go. Is that right? Are there any man-made barriers on that road?


What's the ideal place to park and start hiking? Where the road ends and the trails begin? Or somewhere before that?

Drive past Buttermilks Road towards Aspendel. West Line Street will bend hard left then start coming back to the right. You'll go up a fairly steep grade for about a 1/2 mile or so. As soon as it starts to flatten out look for a parking area/pullout on the right. There is a pit toilet here. If you see that you're in the correct spot. You'll see a dirt road heading towards Humphreys. There's a lot of rocks in the first 1/4 mile. If you can make that your good. If not you got a really, really long hike ahead of you.

If you do make it past that there's not much to troubling until you get to an aspen meadow. There's a mellow stream crossing here. After that there's another tricky section for Subi's. If you can't make it you now have a medium hike ahead of you.

If you do make it keep going until you see a small meadow and stream off to your left and below you. 50 yards past that there's small turnoff on the right that will fit a car. The roads not bad past that but it is steep and loose. Without 4wd your gonna dig ruts and piss me off. Enjoy the short hike.

Keep in mind Humphrey's is no joke. The climbing is pretty chill but it's a cardio endurance day for sure.
darkmagus

Mountain climber
San Diego, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 1, 2017 - 09:01am PT
Wow, thanks for all of that info!! I think we will be in a Jeep so hopefully we are eligible for the "short hike".

Definitely doing all cardio to get ready for this. Climbing isn't necessarily going to help, but lots of hiking hopefully will!
ruppell

climber
Aug 1, 2017 - 05:27pm PT
You'll be fine in a Jeep. Just keep going on the most traveled dirt road and it'll stop at the Humphrey's parking. Have fun man it's a great route.
Bad Climber

Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
Aug 2, 2017 - 06:46am PT
Wow, Rup, that lower road is wild. I'll stay off with my Subi!

BAd
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Aug 2, 2017 - 09:55pm PT
hey there, say, darkmagus... hope you have great time...
hope you can do a trip report, too, :)
darkmagus

Mountain climber
San Diego, CA
Topic Author's Reply - Aug 3, 2017 - 01:26pm PT
ruppell: I owe you a beer or six!

neebee: thanks for the good wishes! I'll try to take a lot of pictures, and I'll tell our (hopefully uneventful) story when we get back!
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
Aug 3, 2017 - 04:58pm PT
hey there say, darkmagus... good to hear that! have extra fun, too--meaning in the midst of the efforts, as well!

:)
ruppell

climber
Aug 3, 2017 - 05:47pm PT
darkmagus

I quit drinking a few years back. I do like coffee though. lol

Seriously, it's no worries man. I've been in there a lot and know it pretty well. Are you guys coming in the night before to acclimatize? There's a killer camp spot about 1/2 mile before you get to the Humphrey's parking area.
Messages 1 - 17 of total 17 in this topic
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