Walking Connection - Arizona Hikes in Prescott

Arizona Walking Connection
Prescott, Yavapai County and Prescott National Forest Hike Archive

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The following hikes are from the Walking Connection® Arizona Hike of the Month Archive. We have published the date of the original hike and in many cases rated the hikes in terms of difficulty as reported by our members. If you are planning to do any particular hike, keep in mind that trail heads and conditions change. Please read the Nonliability Statement below.

Arizona Hikes -- Prescott!

**Seven Mile Trail -- Near Lynx Lake-
Prescott
Saturday, June 21, 2003

Trail #9854 – Seven mile Trail. This is a cool walk in the pines. Some elevation, but not killer. Great views.

Take I-17 North to the Prescott exit (Rte. 69 North). Drive approximately 25 miles toward Prescott. Turn left at Walker Road (the traffic light just past the Costco). There is a recreation sign indicating Lynx Lake. After 0.5 mile, you will see a sign for Ranch Trail No. 62. Less than 3 miles from Rte. 69 is Seven mile Trailhead on the right. It is not as easy to spot; if you see the sign for Lynx North shore and Marina, you've probably gone too far and need to backtrack 100 yards or so.

No restroom at the Trail Head and no fee to park at Seven mile Trail. You can find restrooms in Prescott Valley grocery stores or make a quick stop at Trail No. 62 without having to pay the fee.

**Groom Creek Loop Trail
(TRAIL # 307), Prescott
Original Hike Date -- Saturday July 20, 1996 & June 13, 1998

Access to this trail head is from Downtown Prescott, take Gurley St. east about 3/4 of a mile to Mt. Vernon Ave., which is also Senator Highway/ FR52 for about 6.5 miles to Groom Creek. Continue on to the Groom Creek Horse Camp or trail head. The trail starts and ends at the Groom Creek Horse Camp. This trail loops and is about 9 miles and considered to be a **moderate** hike.

The entire trail is in ponderosa pine with Douglas fir and white fir along the higher ridges. This trail provides an outstanding forest experience. In addition, view from the top of Spruce Mountain are spectacular. The elevation at Groom Creek is about 6200’ and at the top of Spruce Mountain it is about 7700’.

WOODCHUTE TRAIL
Prescott & Jerome
Original Hike Date -- Saturday May 18, 1996
Last time this info was updated for this page: Sept. 16, 2004

The trailhead is just off 89A between Prescott and Jerome. Turn off at Potato Patch Campground near the 335-mile marker. The trailhead is just inside the campground with a gravel parking lot just outside the gates. US 89A is a winding high way, give yourself time to drive it.

The trail is moderate, 6 miles one way to the top mesa. The view overlooks the Verde, Chino and Lonesome Valley. It also affords a look at mountain ranges, including the San Francisco Peaks and on a clear day, the distant red rocks of Sedona. The trail passes the crest of Woodchute Mountain at 7,500 feet and can be cool even in the summer. This is a pretty easy hike, fun, just high. I did this hike years ago, but haven’t done it lately.

**COTTONWOOD CANYON NEAR ROOSEVELT LAKE
Original Hike Date: Saturday, November 16, 1998

Take US 60 east towards Globe going through Superior. Turn left (north) at the junction of US 60 and Rt.88 just before Globe. Proceed another 28 miles to the Frazier Trailhead which is 3/4 mile east of the ranger station on the South side of the highway. This is about 112 miles from Phoenix. An alternate route is to take US 60 towards Apache Junction and exit at Idaho Road which is Rt. 88. This will lead into the Apache Trail which goes to Roosevelt Lake. Turn right at the junction of Rt 88 and 188 and proceed about two miles to the Frazier Trailhead which will be on the right.

The Cottonwood Trail goes up thru Cottonwood Canyon past some pretty scenery and climbs 1500 feet before the trail ends. The trail is about six miles long.

***Granite Mountain Trail #261
Original Hike Date -- Saturday September 20, 1997

To access the trail head, take I-17 and exit Highway 69 west to Prescott. Avoid the downtown Prescott Square by staying to the right just as you enter Prescott. Bear to the right toward Sheldon Ave. and follow it to the end. Turn right on Montezuma and follow it through the intersection. You will now be in Iron Springs Rd. Proceed west for 2.9 miles, then turn right toward the Granite Basin Recreation Area. Continue for 3.1 miles to a one-way loop. Pass Granite Basin Lake on the right and continue to the trail head.

The Granite Mountain Trail, F.S. Trail #261, begins here. A gravel path climbs gradually as it follows along a small wash. At 1.5 miles there is a trail junction to Blair Pass. Take the right hand fork. From here, the trail climbs steadily from the pass to the Granite Mountain Saddle. Follow the switchbacks. About ½ mile from the saddle you will see granite boulders over 1.7 billion years old. This rugged pine-clad ridge affords fine views of the city of Prescott and the surrounding forest. The area is popular with rock climbers, and it may be possible to watch a climb on the rock face. Binoculars may come in handy. When you reach Granite Mountain Saddle, turn to the right. The trail continues to climb for a while, then passes over a relatively level area of scattered ponderosa pines and huge boulders. From the saddle, it is a mile to the viewpoint where the hike ends. Granite Basin Lake is included in the view below.

This hike is an out and back hike and round-trip is 7.7 miles long. There is an approximate elevation change from 5,800’ to 7000’ and the prime time to hike here is May through October. If you go all the way to the end of this hike, be prepared for a ***difficult*** hike. This trail is not for novice hikers. The trail is hard to find between the saddle and the viewpoint.

Arizona Archives
Hikes ONLY

Flagstaff Area
Prescott Area
Valley of the Sun
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Rating The Hikes

* Easy -- for beginners. There is little elevation change and they begin and end at the same location so hikers can go as far as they like and turn around at anytime. The terrain can be dirt, gravel & rocky, so footing can be hazardous. If you are just starting, or usually walk 2 hours at a time, these are for you.
** Moderate -- for experienced hikers. There is some elevation change. Some of the changes can be steep at times and long. These hikes can either be loops or out and back hikes that allow you to go as far as you like and turn around at anytime. The terrain can be dirt, gravel and rocky & footing can be hazardous. If you're comfortable walking 3-4 hours at a time, these are good for you.
*** Difficult -- for experienced hikers only. There could be significant elevation changes and at times, long uphill walks. Be prepared to climb rocks or wade streams. These can be loops or out and back hikes. The terrain can be dirt, gravel and rocky, so footing can be hazardous. If you walk 4-6 hours at a time, these are for you.

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Exercise is only one part of being healthy, seeing your doctor is another! If, at any time during a training session (whether it is a group session, individual personal training session, or self-training session), you suffer any mishap or injury, we urge you to stop your activity immediately and seek professional medical attention. The information contained on this site is intended to give information about personal health and fitness, not to act as a medical manual or guide to self-treatment. Keep in mind that exercise, health and nutritional needs vary from person to person, depending on age, gender, family medical history, current health status, and other individual factors.Before engaging in these, or any other exercise or recreational activities, we urge all individuals to consult a physician. He or she is most-qualified to advise each about their specific health status and needs. By participating in any Walking Connection walk, hike or event, now or in the future, I have and do hereby fully assume all risk of injury, property damage, emotional trauma and death, and it is my intention for me and my heirs, executors and administrators to waive any and all right and claims for damages I may have against Gene and Jo Ann Taylor, Taylor Marketing and Management, LLC., The Walking Connection and any individual associated with these walks, hikes or events, their representatives, successors, and assignees, and will hold them harmless for any and all injuries, mishaps and loss of property suffered in connection with my participation in these walks, hikes, events.