JMH, when are you planning to attempt Humphrey's? You want to avoid any monsoon weather, like now. Lightning is very prevalent on Humphrey's & people die every year from lightning strikes on the summit. It's the tallest object in a 500 mile radius so it attracts all the weather....
It can be extremely windy also & being on the summit ridge when it's blowing 60 mph is pretty dangerous. There is no protection & nothing to stop a fall.
Now for the good news ;-)... A super mountain to hike. I found it more on a par with Baldy than Whitney. Very similar in mileage, EG & steepness. Only about 9 or so RT miles. TH is the Arizona Snow Bowl parking lot about 30 mins out of Flagstaff. You start out in the forest & after the 'saddle' you're going up the volcanic ridge. Trail is easy to follow but there also are trail markers that keep you on track, which I'm thinking is more for snow travel, & there are several false summits before the true summit...
I would say early summer like June, & fall are the best times. I did it in Oct last year, caught a high pressure weather window so it was clear, really warm, & zero wind. Watch the weather via Mountain Forecast. Will be crowded on weekends, & there are bears around but like anywhere else you're not likely to encounter any. & in Oct I did not see any water on the trail but that's not to say there wouldn't be some earlier in the year.
Hope this helps!
