NORTHWEST
PASSAGE-PEAVINE CIRCUIT
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High point view on the Northwest Passage Trail
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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.
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Watson Lake & Granite Mountain seen from Peavine Trail
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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
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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
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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
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White dots mark the Northwest Passage Trail
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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Hooker's Evening Primrose bloom July - October
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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
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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/
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