We left the Valley early Saturday morning and hit the trails off of FR 151 before there were any snow-players on highway 180. It was a nice partly-cloudy day in the low 40s with excellent views of the peaks! We found our own route up the ridgeline of the crater that surrounds Walker Lake, and then skied down the FR back to the 151. We found a little surprise just off the 151: a baby grand piano. After singing a few tunes, we headed back toward the 180. By the time we returned to the vehicle, there were 25 cars in the parking area and kids sledding across the cattle guard.
Next time I will have to find a more remote place to ski...

Parking Lot to Humphreys Saddle
4.05 miles, 2545 AEG

The lot was probable 1/3 full at our 8:10 start when Ray dropped us off. The trail was not as crowded as expected. Met HAZ members @mr14ner, @DallinW & @adrenna on the way up. Great to meet you all! Temps were perfect.

Humphreys Saddle to The Top of Arizona,12,633'
1.07 miles, 819 AEG

A 200' patch of snow to get to the peak, 72 degree temps and gnatty when the wind stopped. Two fires could be seen north of Kendrick, close to each other and two more in what I'm guessing to be the Pivot Rock areas. The Inner Basin has a bit of snow and the Aspens are greening up nicely

Top of Arizona 12,633' to Philomena Spring
.57 miles, -972 AEG

Not as bad as feared

Philomena Spring to Hot Tub Time Machine
.26 miles, -358 AEG

Dodged some snow to get here.
Time Machine has not changed in 3 years since we'd been here.

Hot Tub Time Machine to AZT#34
2.76 miles, -2333 AEG

We had to get off the unofficial trail because of snow. We Jigsawed around the snow and downfall to get back to the trail. Once out to the meadow area, we ran into the couple who unofficially take care of the trail. They said they did not get to any maintenance last year. They gave us some great info about the area and Philomena Spring. There used to be a trough system that ran over to the old ranch carrying water from Philomena Spring. My rough estimate shows that to be more that 3 miles of trough! The trough has been replaced by pipe and the pipe no longer works. There are remnants of both in the area.

AZT#34 to Walker Lake
6.42 miles, -1059 AEG (+252)

Nice to be back on a trail, and the AZT to boot!
Ray was waiting at Walker Lake when we got there.

We took a quick spin to the lake to check it out.
Walker Lake Video https://youtube.com ... DkTc

Thanks for driving Ray!

Nice to be in the cool pines. Much cooler than 2 days ago heading up from Lockett. Didn't seem as busy as expected. We've had to park in the nose bleed section of the Kachina lot in June many times in years past. The main lot was about 70% full at 8am. Friendly hikers throughout with several HAZ hellos! Great to meet @mr14ner, @DallinW & @adrenna! The monster gnats were fairly tame until the breeze died at the summit.

Hit up Philomena Spring and the Hot Tub Time Machine down to AZT 34. Kinna warm for 9k feet. Met some nice resourceful locals just before the AZT, then the friendliest mountain bikers on earth along the AZT to Walker Lake. The lake albeit dry turned out to be a nice gander.

Thx Ray for driving & shuttling the chariot

Wildflowers
1 Indian Paintbrush along AZT

After months of training for this brutal excursion, we got an early start and made good time into the cauldron of monsoon soup. I was hoping for a bit more water, but it was still a neat area to see. It's funny that from the "outside" it just looks like a normal hill. It's a nice surprise to see the crater with a lake in it!