big man tips

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, ...

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...