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City of Prescott
Thank goodness for guys like Jerry. He's one of the volunteers with the
City of Prescott's parks & recreation department that help maintain the
“white dot” trails in the granite dells-area parks. Without those spray-painted little directional beacons, it
would be impossible to stay on course. We ran into Jerry in the middle of his
weekly trail inspection and he was kind enough to share some history and
interesting facts about the
surrounding landscape and also
coached me through a slightly scary slickrock section---which was not as
treacherous at it looked after all.
Hiking in Prescott's granite dells is like getting lost in a
stone labyrinth hazed with an absorbing “one-with-the-rock” kind of
feeling. The network of paths on
the north shore of Willow Lake coil through hulking quartz-studded granite
buttes squeezing in-and-out on the paths in heaving accordian style.
The rugged meandering loop trails move seamlessly from
claustrophobically tight spaces to
airy exposed promintaries with unobstructed vistas. Don't be put off by
the short hiking distance---the trails are a varied, complex mashup with high
steps, cagey twists and surprises around every bend.
LENGTH: 3.3 miles (7 connected trails)
RATING: easy-moderate, sturdy shoes/boots with good traction
required
ELEVATION:
5,080' – 5,180'
KID FRIENDLY: older kids
DOGS: must be on leash/pack out poo
FEE: $2 daily parking fee
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, travel north on I17 to Cordes Junction exit 262 for Prescott AZ 69. Turn west and follow AZ 69 32 miles to Prescott. Just outside of downtown, pass Walker
Road and begin looking for Prescott Lakes Parkway---located across from the
Prescott Gateway Mall where there's a huge Cadillac dealership. Turn right
(north) on Prescott Lakes Pkwy and continue north (crossing AZ89) to
Willow Lake Road. Turn left (west)
and go to Willow Creek Road.
Turn right and continue to Heritage Park Road (Across from
Embry-Riddle U and heading toward the zoo). Turn right and then make an
immediate right onto Heritage Park Creek and follow the signs to the to the trailhead.
INFO & MAP: City of Prescott
MORE PHOTOS:
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