Walker Lake Showshoe Trails, AZ

Walker Lake Snowshoe Trails are a collection of interlocking loops to the west and southwest of the Walker Lake parking area, often known as the Watchable Wildlife Area, a popular stop for tourists during the summer on their way from Flagstaff to the Grand Canyon. During the winter, however, the Forest Service grades several dozen miles of interconnecting snowmobile, cross-country ski, and snowshoe trails west of the Fort Valley Highway. These range from Wing Mountain in the south to Walker Lake in the north. Snowmobilers can easily cover the entire trail system, while skiers and snowshoers usually only cover a smaller section of the trails.


The parking area at Walker Lake is usually plowed regularly and is often crowded with snowmobile trailers, vans with families sledding, and other winter recreationists. There are restrooms at the trailhead but no water fountain, so bring your own or plan on melting snow. It is also a good idea before heading out on a trek to pick up a map of the Walker Lake trails from the Forest Service office on the east side of town. While not the best representation of the area, it can give you some idea about where the trails head to. Some head basically due west towards Kendrick Peak, while others head south to connect with the Wing Mountain trails. The snowmobile trails are generally well-traveled, but I don't recommend walking or skiing on them, even if it is easier, for the simple reason it would be very easy to end up getting hit. The snowshoe trails are less traveled, but we could locate several leading away from the parking area. As long as there is enough snow, you can basically go where you like - not too much worry about damaging sensitive soils or any such thing if you're snowshoeing or skiing.You can loop around back to the parking area when you reach your point of return via another route or retrace your steps. As long as it is not snowing, it is hard to get lost since you can always follow your own tracks back how you came.

I would not recommend this trail for dogs, even though they are allowed, because of the presence of snowmobiles and the possibility of them sinking into deeper drifts of snow.

2008-03-24 PaleoRob