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LONGVIEW TRAIL to PIONEER
PARK
Prescott
 |
| Grasslands and mountain views on Longview Trail |
The Prescott Circle Trail
(PCT) is a non-motorized trail system that works like a 54-mile wagon
wheel around the city with spokes radiating to myriad recreational goodies in "everybody's hometown".
The route is a master work in trail design with multiple access points and connectivity to city and county parks, lakeside
recreation areas, campgrounds and wooded paths within Prescott
National Forest. This super network layout makes it simple to explore the 54-mile circuit at either a leisurely day hike
pace or a more ambitious, multi-day backpack trip. Downloadable maps and an excellent app for smart
phones and tablets are available on the city's website.
Segment #10 of the route
links Williamson Valley Road with Pioneer Park via the Longview
Trail. This short trek winds through sprawling grasslands and juniper
scrub with the hulking mound of Granite Mountain dominating its
western flank. From the trail's high spots, hazy glimpses of
Sedona's red rock canyons and the peaks of Flagstaff punctuate a
landscape of golden prairies. At the 1.78-mile point, the trail
enters Pioneer Park. From here, you can continue on PCT or make a
customized hike using the park's 9-miles of loop trails. Although Prescott Circle Trail was
officially completed in summer 2015, it will continue to evolve with
added trailheads, scenic spur loops and ongoing improvements to
optimize the outdoor experience for hikers, equestrians and mountain
bikers. Whether sampled as an effortless stroll from a kid-friendly park or tackled from its feral fringes, the trail serves up a balanced blend of trekking opportunities.
LENGTH:
Longview Trail: 1.78 miles
one-way
Pioneer Park Trails: 9 miles
cumulative
RATING: easy-moderate
ELEVATION:
Longview Trail: 5,419' -
5,547'
Pioneer Park Trails: 5,220'
- 5,580'
GETTING THERE:
There are many ways to get
to this trailhead. Here's a convenient route when coming from
Phoenix.
From State Route 69 in
Prescott, go 2 miles north on Prescott Lakes Parkway (across from the
Prescott Gateway Mall near milepost 294 ) to State Route 89. Turn
right, continue 3.5 miles to Pioneer Parkway, go left and drive 5
miles to Williamson Valley Road. Turn right and make an immediate
turn into the lot at the Welcome to Williamson Valley sign.
Maps & Apps, City of
Prescott:
Yavapai County Parks:
MORE PHOTOS:
2 comments:
I'm new to AZ. Do these trails get snowed under in the winter?
Prescott does get some snow but, not enough to "snow in" this trail. Except for for the mountain peaks above 7000' where snow might be an issue in winter, you can hike year-round in Prescott.
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