big man tips

STORM TRAILS Curious rock formations on the Easter Island Trail. The best trails are those that respect the terrain through which they cut, following the  land�s natural contours to unwind like humble spectators rather than intruders. The newest additions to the Prescott Mile-High Trail System do just that in a seemingly impenetrable labyrinth of stone. The Boulder Creek Trail adds a splash of green. Early in 2018, the City of Prescott purchased a 160-acre parcel east of Watson Lake to preserve the geologically-unique space while allowing for recreational use. Shortly after the land was acquired, work on the Storm Trails system got underway and the first routes officially opened on March 31, 2018. Use the Peavine Trail to access the Storm Trails Situated deep in the striking beauty of the Granite Dells, the loopy network spins off from the Prescott Peavine National Recreation Trail 1.5-miles north of the trailhead on Sundog Ranch Road.   The Storm Trails explore Prescott's Gra...

BUTTE CREEK TRAIL Butte Creek Bridge at Stricklin Park Besides packing the usual gear and water, hikers on Prescott�s Butte Creek Trail #321 should be prepared to duck.   That�s because the 1.6-mile city-managed section of the route passes through the private Hassayampa Golf Club.   Part of the trail goes through a private golf community  This pleasantly diverse pathway that skirts manicured greens and glass-faced homes with wrap-around balconies provides alternative access to the Thumb Butte Area in Prescott National Forest.   The trail begins at Stricklin Park where a bridge embellished with whimsical dragonfly sculptures crosses Butte Creek.   Fragrant cliffrose Even in drier years like this one, the creek corridor is alive with greenery. Canyon grapes thrive near the creek Massive Fremont cottonwood trees sway above a meandering strip of willows, oaks, wild roses, reeds, Canyon grape vines and boxelders.   The well-marked trail wanders through a shady, ...

CLARK SPRING TRAIL #40 Clark Spring Trail Clark Spring is bone dry.   Like many water features in drought-stricken Arizona, the ordinarily moist natural fountain that trickles into a sandy drainage in Prescott�s Granite Mountain Recreation Area isn�t flowing this year.   Although lack of winter snow and rain has caused the spring to regress into a barely discernable trench, the riparian corridor it feeds along Clark Spring Trail #40 is alive and well.   Even without springtime waterworks permeating the area with lacy rivulets and clear cascades, a hike along this stunningly diverse trail makes for an afternoon of fun and discovery. Riparian corridor on Clark Spring Trail The scoured, mile-long gully near the spring that hosts a community of willows and cottonwoods is just one part of a multi-faceted trip through jumbled terrain just a few miles north of downtown Prescott.   Finding the trail is a little tricky.   Wild candytuft blooms February through August Be...

WOLVERTON MOUNTAIN and QUARTZ MOUNTAIN Summit of Quartz Mountain Over its 54-mile course, the Prescott Circle Trail tours some of the most spectacular country in Arizona�s central highland region. The city-circumnavigating route is organized into 10 segments that range from 2.7 to 9.1 miles in length with unique features that transport hikers through shady pine forests, lakeside coves, granite dells, grasslands and juniper scrub. Summit of Quartz Mountain But if highpoint vistas are your thing, Segment 4 delivers two juicy side trips: One tops out on an exposed crest with terrific sights while the other explores a solitary quartz-studded knoll. The segment is tethered by two trailheads. The White Spar Road trailhead is near a campground while the Aspen Creek trailhead is hike-in only.   The quickest access to the peaks is via the latter. Begin on Aspen Creek Trail #48 across from the parking area on Copper Basin Road. First up is Wolverton Mountain. Wolverton Mountain Trail To get...

PINE LAKES TRAIL #316 Thumb Butte North Trails Pine Lakes Trail flanks Willow Creek  Pick a day following a good monsoon soaking to hike Pine Lakes Trail #316.   That way, you�ll have the best chance to see the tiny waterfalls that tumble over logs and rocks in Willow Creek. Canyon grapes grow along the creek Arguably the most ecologically diverse route in the north segment of Prescott�s Thumb Butte Recreation Area, trail #316 packs a lot of interesting elements into its short length. The first half-mile of the trek moves through an exposed landscape of juniper and oak under the imposing pinnacle of Thumb Butte. The trail climbs easily to a point where the Bradshaw Mountains peek out from behind the butte before beginning its descent into the riparian corridor of Willow Creek.   A post-monsoon mini waterfall As the trail switchbacks down into the gorge, the vegetation makes an abrupt shift from sparse scrub and cacti to rich greenery shaded by arching oaks and soaring Pon...

BOYLE-DeBUSK OPEN SPACE PRESERVE Prescott One of three primary trails in the preserve If you weren�t looking for it, you�d probably zip right past this miniscule hiking destination tucked amid the suburbs 1.5 miles south of downtown Prescott. The Boyle-DeBusk Open Space Preserve is a project of the Central Arizona Land Trust, a non-profit corporation dedicated to protecting sensitive western landscapes. The property was donated to the City of Prescott in 2003 and is now part of the city�s public open space holdings. Canyon grapes grow wild in the preserve's riparian zone  Located in the space between expansive national forest land and a community with tin roof cabins and porches decorated with wood-whittled critters, the 9.7-acre natural area has been enhanced with hiking trails that explore its ecologically diverse terrain.   Three primary trails---DeBusk, Boyle and Talcott�wander through a woodsy mix of pine, oak and juniper trees that provide shade along much of the intert...