JOHNS TANK TRAIL

JOHNS TANK TRAIL #94

Prescott National Forest

View of Lynx Lake from Johns Tank Trail

The eagle has not landed. Sadly, the bald eagles that nest near Prescott's Lynx Lake did not produce offspring this year. Since they first appeared in the winter of 2002, breeding pairs of the quintessential American raptors have commandeered lakeside osprey nests to raise their chicks. In years when the eagles are on the nest, Johns Tank Trail #94-- the hiking trail that traverses their breeding territory-- is closed to human travel from February through June to give the hatchlings their best chance to thrive. The trail explores a bird friendly environment of Ponderosa pine forests swaying over trout-rich waters while tethering two loop routes in the foothills of the Bradshaw Mountains.

Ponderosa pines on Johns Tank Trail

There's no dedicated trailhead for Johns Tank, so it must be accessed by either Lakeshore Trail #311 to its west or Salida Gulch Trail #95 to the north. To take the lake access option, hike 0.1 mile west on Trail #311 to the Trail #94 junction. This mile-long segment passes through deep woods and resinous air as it ascends the hills above the water. After climbing 300 feet, the trail arrives at a juniper shaded highpoint with nice views of Spruce and Granite Mountains that precede a dip into Salida Gulch. Turn right at the Trail #95 junction and hike less than a tenth of a mile to a sign that point to the right. To the left, a rudimentary side path leads to Johns Tank, a sometimes moist but mostly muddy wildlife watering hole. Trail #95, dives farther into the gulch by way of hairpin turns pinched tight by vertical granite walls. About halfway through the loop, look for faint petroglyphs pecked into a stony grotto.

Lakeshore Trail

The route bottoms out on a bank above Lynx Creek, then swings south and uphill again to reconnect with Trail #94. Retrace your steps back to lake and head left to circle the water on Trail #311. This 2.3-mile walk stays close to shore making it a convenient corridor for anglers looking for a secluded spot to reel in dinner. Mind the tackle boxes and coolers. Tracing numerous finger coves, the route is draped in willows, cottonwoods and trunk snuggling cattails. You'll pass a boat launch where dozens of people shove off on paddle boards, fishing boats and kayaks before you arrive back at the start point.

Salida Gulch

LENGTH:

Double loop (as described here): 8.5 miles

Lakeshore-Johns Tank loop: 4.3 miles

Salida Gulch-Johns Tank loop: 6.2 miles

RATING: moderate

ELEVATION: 5,050' - 5,790'

Spruce Mountain view near Trail #94 high point

GETTING THERE:

Lynx Lake access:

From State Route 69 in Prescott, go 2.1 miles south on Walker Road (milpost 293) and turn left onto Lynx Lake North Shore (Forest Road 611). Continue 0.2 mile to the parking area. Hike down the paved walkway at the southeast end of the parking area to Lakeshore Trail #311 and follow it along the spillway to Trail #94. Roads are 100% paved. There's a $5 daily fee per vehicle. Bring exact amount for the self-serve pay station. Trailhead has restrooms, picnic tables, nearby store and a site host.

Salida Gulch access:

From State Route 69 in Prescott, go 1.2 miles south on Walker Road to Lynx Creek Road (Forest Road 9401, signed Lynx Creek Ruins/Salida Gulch), turn left and continue 1 mile to the trailhead at the forest boundary sign. Begin hiking on trail 9263, hop the creek and look for the trail 95 junction in about 0.1 mile. No fees. Vault toilet.

INFO: Prescott National Forest

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/prescott/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=67335&actid=50

Lynx Lake Recreation Area Brochure

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3809293.pdf

Lakeside hiking in Prescott

LOWER GRANITE CREEK SCENIC TRAILS

City of Prescott Mile-High Trail System

Lakeside views, millions of ducks and route-finding through a maze of  1.4 billion-year-old granite  rock formations keep things interesting on this intertwined collection of short trails. Although there are countless ways to explore these scenic gems, here's how we hit the dirt on this past Saturday. The plan:

From the trailhead, follow Peavine Trail  north to the turnoff on the right for Lakeshore Trail—there's a big boulder with a plaque just past the 1 mile post.  From here, finding your way is easy. Trail signs with maps are placed roughly every quarter-mile and where the trail crosses slick rock; follow the painted white dots to stay on course.  The first detour comes at the Treehouse Loop---a very rocky segment that's sure to bring the kid out in you, and yup, there really is a treehouse lodged in an alligator juniper.  Next up is a little traipse to Secret Cove, which is worth the diversion if only to  creep up on the Great blue herons and egrets that love the seclusion afforded by this mini fjord.

Farther along is the Over the Hill trail which crosses Boulder Creek on its way to  Watson Dam.  This winding path is almost 100% on bare rock and includes a couple of slick/steep sections. Near the end, the trail dips down to Granite Creek and swings south following the reed-lined stream to a narrow metal bridge below the dam that connects hikers to the Flume/Watson Dam Trails that lead to the Granite Dells Road trailhead.  As we didn't park a car at the at the north access, we hiked back the way we came.

LENGTH:  up to 6 miles

Lakeshore Trail: 2 miles one way, 5,160' – 5,220'

Over the Hill Trail: 0.4 mile one way, 5,076'-5,194'

Discovery Trail: 0.8 mile one way, 5,158' – 5,188'

Tree House Loop-Secret Cove: 0.1 mile each

Watson Dam-Flume Trail: 1.17 miles one way, 5,057' – 5,186'

RATING: easy-moderate (good balance and traction footwear is required!)

DOGS: This is a sensitive bird habitat--leashed dogs are allowed.

KID-FRIENDLY:  yes

FACILITIES: port-o-potties.  New restrooms are in the works and should be installed by June 2012, picnic tables, maps

FEE:  $2 daily parking fee

HOURS: 5 a.m (7 a.m. In winter) to 10:00 p.m.
DISTANCE FROM PHOENIX: 112 miles one way

GETTING THERE:

South Access: Peavine-WatsonWoods trailhead:

1626 Sundog Ranch Road, Prescott.

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 1.7 miles to Sundog Ranch Road, turn right and go 0.2 mile  to Peavine Trail/Watson Woods Riparian Preserve parking area.

North Access:

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.  Connect with AZ89 and go north to Granite Dells Road, turn right (east) and continue to the parking area on the right.

MAP: http://www.cityofprescott.net/_d/trails/lowergranitecreektrails_8x11.pdf

INFO & MAPS: City of Prescott

http://cityofprescott.net/services/parks/trails/

MORE PHOTOS:

Lakeshore Trail: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2360154342024.82533.1795269672&type=1&l=3256dba4fe

Over the Hill Trail: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2362858209619.82594.1795269672&type=1&l=6cf894ae47

Treehouse/Secret Cove: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2363030093916.82596.1795269672&type=1&l=a06426394a