Hiking the Desert Divide Peaks out of Humber Park

[travis99]

I am planning on hiking some of the Desert Divide peaks out of Humber Park this weekend, probably Liliy Rock, Tahquitz, Red Tahquitz, South Peak, Antsel Rock and even maybe Apache Peak and Spitler Peak if the conditions allow. From what I read on this forum it looks like snow is as far down as 4000 ft. Anyone have any idea how much snow I could expect to find at 8000+ feet. Do you figure it will stay or melt off throughout the week? We may try to set up a car shuttle and leave one car, or just hike in and back.

Appreciate any input any of you might have, plus any other suggestions or comments on these plans?

[KathyW]

I like the Fobes Trail better than the Spitler Trail, but both work to get on the Desert Divide.

My guess: By next weekend snow shouldn't cause too much of a problem between Spitler and Apache, but between Apache and Antsell the snow doesn't melt off real fast. Be very careful on Antsell if it is icy. You also might be dealing with ice or snow (maybe patchy) all the way to Tahquitz. The South Ridge Trail gets good sun, so a lot of that will melt but it can be pretty icy near the top of the trail and on Tahquitz.

That's a really full day you have planned - have fun!

[guest]

Hi,
You might want to either reduce your route, or wait, as most all of that area got hammered with around 2 ft. of snow.
I'm assuming the temps will keep it from melting & freezing, but it will be slow going none the less.

ss

[travis99]

2 feet of snow! Wow, yes if the snow does not melt it would be pretty well impossible to do the entire route, ice would be bad also.

Thanks,

[KathyW]

Travis:

A few years ago in November my friend Joe and I hiked up the Spitler Trail, over Apache and on to Antsell. We ran into more snow than we expected and I got frustrated postholing up to my waist at times in the gully that leads to Antsell - I was afraid that I'd step in the snow somewhere that there weren't any rocks and fall deeper than my waist. We turned around not to far from the top of the gully because it was getting late and I was wet and tired.

Here are some pics from that trip:

http://kathywing.smugmug.com/gallery/3981844

I went back another time when it was dry out and went out along the Sam Fink Trail to the summit and then down the gully - it was much easier for me without snow in the gully.

Kathy

[magikwalt]

Is it the size of the picture/map that causes this post to go so wide?