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GOLDWATER LAKES TRAIL #396
Prescott
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| Upper Goldwater Lake |
When completed, Prescott's Circle Trail will make a 50-mile
loop tour around the mile-high city using existing hiking trails, bike routes, roads and newly
constructed paths. Swooping through a mixed bag of pine-wrapped mountains,
creek side greenery, windy grasslands, municipal parks, national forests and
high-country lakes, the route highlights the scenic diversity surrounding
Arizona's original capital city.
More than a dozen trailheads along major roads make hiking the route in
segments or via car shuttle treks a cinch. One favorite segment for day hiking in warmer months is The
Goldwater Lakes Trail #396. Massive canopies of Ponderosa pine, Alligator
juniper and oak provide cooling shade as the route winds above the lakes and
across the boulder-flanked ravine and crisp waters of Bannon Creek. Although
the trail proper does not go to the lakes, obvious spur trails will get you there. The trek is anchored by two trailheads, which connect to longer
national forest routes and, of course, the rest of the Circle Trail.
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| Granite Mountain & Thumb Butte visible beyond the trees |
LENGTH: 4.7 miles one-way
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 5630' - 6165'
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| Spur trails lead to the water |
GETTING THERE:
East Trailhead:
From Phoenix, travel north on I17 to the Cordes Junction
interchange and head west on AZ69. Follow AZ69 to Senator Hwy/Mt. Vernon
Ave., turn left and continue 4 miles the Watershed #299 trailhead on the left. Trail #396 begins across the
road.
West Trailhead:
Follow directions above, but continue past Mt. Vernon Ave to
Montezuma St. (a.k.a. White Spar Dr, AZ89). Turn left and go 3 miles south to
the White Spar Campground on the left.
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| Pools at Bannon Creek |
Prescott Circle Trail & Maps:
MORE PHOTOS:
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