Northwest Passage - Peavine Circuit

NORTHWEST PASSAGE-PEAVINE CIRCUIT

High point view on the Northwest Passage Trail

This out-and-back lollipop loop hike uses part of the Peavine National Recreation Trail, to access the Northwest Passage trail which occupies the outlands of the Storm Trails maze of little loops northeast of Prescott’s Watson Lake. 

Watson Lake & Granite Mountain seen from Peavine Trail

For a short, moderate trek, this one packs in a full house of diverse, scenic beauty.

A Great egret forages the shore of Watson Lake

The hike starts out at the south end of the lake where the leafy belt of Watson Woods Riparian Preserve bursts with cottonwood, boxelder, walnut and other water-loving trees that provide living space for dozens of species of birds.

Cottonwood trees in Watson WoodsRiparian Preserve

Great fall color viewing, too! The first two miles follow the Peavine Trail, a 6-mile repurposed railroad bed built in 1893 by the Santa Fe Railway. Passing beneath arching riparian trees, the wide cinder-base road traces the lake that’s as popular with kayakers as it is with waterfowl.  It  takes little effort to spot ducks, herons and egrets gliding over open water and poking around for food among reed-choaked inlets. As the trail plows north past meadows and through stony corridors, it enters the jumbled rock wonderland of the Granite Dells. 

Boxelder trees blush gold in autumn on the Peavine Trail

White dots mark the Northwest Passage Trail

The billion-year-old jointed pillars and blobs of volcanic rock have been weathering and cracking for millions of years, gradually sculpting into a surreal ochre-colored landscape punctuated with junipers, creek beds and a now defunct railroad route.

A cottonwood tree soaks up water in WatsonLake

Benches are placed at dramatic spots along the route including one overlook with amazing views of the lake and distant Granite Mountain.

Bridge over Boulder Creek on the Peavine Trail

A bridge with an old concrete base surrounded by discarded rail ties that spans Boulder Creek marks the second stage of the hike.

Alligator junipers shade Northwest Passage Trail

Over the bridge at just under the 2-mile point, this trip veers right onto the Northwest Passage Connector. After a few yards, turn left onto the Northwest Passage Trail, where a singletrack moves among the innards of the dells. While the trail is mostly obvious, white paint dots mark the route where it traverses bare rock slabs and sketchy passages. 

Hooker's Evening Primrose bloom July - October

Ducking among massive outcroppings resembling melted taffy and yeasty bread dough, the hike tops out on a stony crest before descending back down to the Peavine for the return leg of the outing.

Billion-year-old granite blobs on Northwest Passage

LENGTH: 4.8 miles

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION:  5,135 – 5,200 feet (380 feet of accumulated elevation change)

GETTING THERE:

1626 Sundog Ranch Road, Prescott.

From State Route 69 in Prescott, go 1.7 miles north on Prescott Lakes Parkway to Sundog Ranch Road, turn right and continue 0.2-mile to the Peavine Trail/Watson Woods Riparian Preserve parking area on the left.

FACILITIES: restrooms, picnic tables

HOURS:

Summer: 7:00 a.m.- 10:00 p.m.

Winter: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

FEE: $3 daily fee per vehicle. Self-serve pay station accepts cash and credit cards.

INFO & MAPS:

City of Prescott

https://www.prescott-az.gov/recreation-events/recreation-areas/trails/