Granite Dells
Massive boulders of ancient rock have weathered into
delicately balanced forms and fanciful shapes, reflected in the surface of Watson
Lake. Ruins and artifacts indicate that Native Americans used to live here. The
scenic Dells offer a great place for boating, picnicking, or a stroll. Rock climbers
tackle the challenging granite formations. Watson Lake Park, four miles north of
town on AZ 89, offers year-round day use and summer weekend camping.
Prescott Peavine National Recreation Trail
This rails-to-trails path
crosses Granite Dells on the east side of Watson Lake. Hikers, cyclists, and equestrians
head down the nearly level, packed-gravel trail, which is 4.15 miles one way and
connects with several other trails. From AZ 89 at MP 315, turn east 0.3 mile on
Prescott Lakes Parkway, then turn left 0.1 mile to the trailhead. Currently the
trail ends at former Hwy. 89A, but eventually it may connect with Chino Valley's
Peavine Trail.
Thumb Butte Trail
This popular loop hike begins just west of town and
climbs Thumb Butte Saddle (6,300 feet) for good views of Prescott and the surrounding
countryside. The trail winds through a valley of dense ponderosa pine, then crosses
windswept ridges where pinyon, juniper, oak, and prickly pear grow. A spur trail
leads to a vista point with a panorama of the city, Granite Dells, Chino Valley,
and countless mountains, including the distant San Francisco Peaks.
Reaching the fractured granite summit of Thumb Butte is hazardous and not recommended.
The trail itself is a moderate outing of two miles roundtrip with an elevation gain
of 600 feet, taking about two hours. Signs identify many of the plants along the
way and explain the forest ecosystem. Hiking season runs year-round except after
winter snowstorms.
From downtown, head west 3.5 miles on Gurley
Street and Thumb Butte Road to Thumb Butte Park; the trail is on the left side of
the road and parking on the right (there's a $2 parking fee unless you have a Golden
pass or National Parks pass w/hologram). Picnic tables, restrooms, and seasonal
drinking water are nearby.
Granite Mountain Wilderness
On a day trip, hikers can explore the rugged
Granite Mountain Wilderness and enjoy fine views from an overlook at an elevation
of 7,185 feet. Rock climbers come to challenge the granite cliffs, which offer a
nearly complete range of difficulties, but check first for seasonal closures. Five
trails allow many hiking combinations, but only Granite Mountain Trail #261
climbs to the top. This trail ascends gently 1.3 miles to a trail junction at Blair
Pass, then turns right and switchbacks 1.3 miles to a saddle on Granite Mountain;
from here the trail turns southeast, climbing another mile to a viewpoint. Ponderosa
pines grow at the trailhead and on top of Granite Mountain, though much of the trail
passes through manzanita, mountain mahogany, pinyon, agave, and other plants of
the chaparral.
Average hiking time for the 7.5-mile roundtrip
hike is six hours. It's a moderately difficult trip with an elevation gain of 1,500
feet; carry water. It's open all year except when blocked by snow. Forest Service
offices sell a Granite Mountain Wilderness map; you can also use the Iron Springs
and Jerome Canyon 7.5-minute topos. From W. Gurley Street in Prescott, drive northwest
4.3 miles on Grove Avenue, Miller Valley Road, and Iron Springs Road, then turn
right and travel five miles on Forest Road 374 past the campground and lake turnoffs.
The trailhead has a $2 parking fee unless you have a Golden pass or National Parks
pass w/hologram.
Chino Valley Ranger District
This section of the Prescott National
Forest lies northwest of town beyond Granite Basin Wilderness. It lacks developed
sites, but it does have hiking trails, two wilderness areas, and good opportunities
to spot wildlife. Except in hunting season, you're likely to have this country to
yourself. Granite Knob (6,632 feet) dominates Apache Creek Wilderness. Pinyon pine,
juniper, and chaparral cover most of the land with some ponderosa pine in the southwest
corner.
Juniper Mesa Wilderness has cliffs on the south side
of the mesa and some canyons on the north. Ponderosa pine, Arizona white oak, and
alligator juniper grow in the canyons and on ridgetops, while pinyon pine, juniper,
and chaparral cover the south slope; elevations run 5,650–7,050 feet. Prescott
National Forest offices sell a map that covers both wilderness areas. Chino Ranger
District Office (735 Hwy. 89 N, P.O. Box 485, Chino Valley, AZ 86323, 928/636-2200,
www.fs.fed.us/r3/prescott, 8 a.m.–4:30
p.m. Mon.–Fri.) is north of Prescott in Chino Valley.
Bradshaw Mountains
Scenic drives and dozens of trails wind through
this rugged range south of Prescott. You can get trail descriptions, maps, and back-road
information from the Prescott National Forest office.
The
Senator Highway weaves atop the Bradshaw Mountains between Prescott and Crown
King with many fine views and some historic sites along the way. Despite the road's
name, you'll need a high-clearance vehicle past the Groom Creek area. Head south
from downtown on Mt. Vernon Avenue and continue straight on the Senator Highway,
also signed as Forest Road 52.
Spruce Mountain has
views, a lookout tower, and a picnic area at its 7,700-foot summit. From Prescott,
turn south 5.5 miles on Mt. Vernon Avenue/Senator Highway/Forest Road 52, then turn
left four miles up Forest Road 52A (not suited for RVs or trailers). Groom Creek
Trail #307 makes an 8.7-mile loop between here and Groom Creek Horsecamp.
Probably the most unusual trail is the 1,200-foot Groom Creek School Nature Trail,
built by the Sunrise Lions Club of Prescott especially for blind people. Trail pamphlets
explain natural features and processes. The trail lies just past the village of
Groom Creek, six miles south of town on Mt. Vernon Avenue/Senator Highway/Forest
Road 52.
An 1880s charcoal kiln, made of fitted granite
blocks, once served precious-metal smelters in the Walker area. From Prescott, head
east four miles on AZ 69, turn south 6.5 miles on Walker Road/Lynx Lake Road/Forest
Road 197 to Walker, turn left on Big Bug Mesa Road/Forest Road 670 just north of
Walker Fire Station, and follow signs 0.8 mile to parking—then it's a three-minute
walk to the kiln.
Stagecoach passengers in the 19th century
stopped at Palace Station on their way between Prescott and Peck's Mine.
The station lies 11 miles south of Prescott on Mt. Vernon Avenue/Senator Highway/Forest
Road 52. The rustic structure is now used as a residence and isn't open to the public,
but you can view the exterior.
Crown King and Vicinity
Old mines, ghost towns, and wilderness surround
this rustic village 55 miles southeast of Prescott via the Senator Highway. Prospectors
discovered gold at the Crown King Mine in the 1870s, but mine owners had to wait
until the late 1880s before the ore could be processed profitably. A branch line
of the Prescott and Eastern Railroad reached the site in 1904. Legal battles closed
mine operations in the early 1900s, and today the mining camp attracts retired people
and serves as an escape from summer heat. The Crown King Saloon dates back to 1898,
when it was built at Oro Belle camp, five miles southwest. Pack mules later hauled
the structure piece by piece to Crown King.
Rough roads discourage
the average tourist, but the region can be explored with maps, determination, and
a high-clearance vehicle. The easiest way in is from Cleator on Forest Road 259,
reached from the I-17 Bumble Bee or Cordes Exits. You'll follow the twisting path
of the old railroad on the drive up; cautiously driven passenger vehicles can make
it okay. With a high-clearance vehicle, you can approach Crown King on the very
scenic Senator Highway (Forest Road 52) across the rugged Bradshaws from Prescott.
Another route follows Pine Flat Road (Forest Road 177) from Mayer into the Bradshaws,
then turns south on the Senator Highway. The Prescott National Forest map, sold
at Forest Service offices, shows back roads and most trails.
Bradshaw Mountain Guest Ranch (928/632-4477,
www.crownking.com, $100 d suites, $150 d
cabins) is on the left as you turn into Crown King; guests enjoy the gardens, barbecue
pits, and continental breakfast delivered to their door. You can also stay near
Crown King at Bear Creek Cabins (928/632-5035 or 899-2031, $80 up to four
persons) and Cedar Roost (928/632-5564, $65–105 d weekdays, $75–115
d Fri.–Sat.).
For atmosphere and great American food,
try The Mill (928/632-7133, Sun. for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and Fri.–Sat.
for lunch and dinner). Inside, the huge Gladiator Stamp Mill, built in 1893 and
moved here from a site two miles away, now forms the centerpiece of the restaurant
along with other materials salvaged from old buildings. The entrance is opposite
the turnoff for Crown King. In Crown King, you can eat at the saloon or at a restaurant
across the street, both open daily. The general store sells groceries and has a
post office. The staff at Crown King Work Center, up the hill from town, can tell
you about trails and roads; they're mostly local people who know the area well.
Arizona Ghost Towns and Mining Camps by Philip Varney contains good information
on this historic and very scenic part of Arizona.
Horsethief
Basin Recreation Area, seven miles to the southeast, offers camping in the Prescott
National Forest. Hazlett Hollow Campground (elev. 6,000 feet) is open May–Oct.
with water and a $6 fee. On the way you'll pass near 3.5-acre Horsethief Lake, a
reservoir used for boating (electric motors okay) and fishing; no swimming or camping.
Groups can reserve Turney Gulch Campground, which has water, at 877/444-6777
or www.recreation.gov. Castle Creek Wilderness,
east of the campgrounds, has very steep and rocky terrain with vegetation ranging
from chaparral to ponderosa pine.