Prescott Hiking

This will be our fourth full moon kayaking adventure of the year. We will meet at Watson lake north ramp. We will head out on the lake and paddle around and watch the sunset. The full moon will rise above the lake about 7:40pm. We can paddle around for awhile enjoying the moonlight.

For those who do not have a kayak I can supply a limited amount of kayaks for a discounted rental rate. You must call or text me at 928-273-3980.
What to bring:
A kayak, canoe or any lake suited vessel.
Paddle, pfd. (Life vest)
Head lamp
Sweater light jacket
Beverages of your choosing
Where to meet:
Enter Watson lake park. Drive straight and turn left just past the field on left. Drive down the hill and drop off your gear. You then park back up the hill.
There is a $5 parking fee per vehicle

Sorry for the late notice, but I happened to be free this weekend for a hike.

Let’s hike from White Spar and around Goldwater Lakes. I am going to just play it by feet (not ear 😂) and just see where our feet take us. I know for sure we will hike around both upper and lower Goldwater Lakes. I am hoping to go between 8-10 miles just exploring the area. It should be a nice day for a hike with temperatures between 65-75 degrees when we finish.

Please remember to bring snacks, water, and electrolytes.

Let’s meet at the White Spar Trailhead. Directions to the Trailhead:

From downtown Prescott, drive South on Montezuma Street, which will turn into White Spar Road as you enter the forest area, for approximately 2.8 miles. You will see signs for White Spar campground. Turn left into the campground and follow the dirt road on your right to the upper dirt parking lot on the left by the bathrooms.

We will meet at 8:00AM at Coyote springs rd. and 89A to car pool to the summit of Mingus Mtn. You can drive to the trailhead if you prefer by following the directions below.
We will be doing 4 miles out and back.
Woodchute Trail #102 was established along what was once a bulldozer track on the south side of Woodchute Mountain. The bulldozer was used to create several cattle watering tanks. The ponderosa pines along the trail are all second growth. The original forest was cut down when the copper mines at Jerome were in operation and loggers came to this mountain to harvest shoring timbers for the mines. They transported the logs by way of a chute extending down the north side of the mountain to loading platforms for the narrow gauge railroad that served Jerome. It is from this chute that the mountain and trail take their name. The narrow gauge railroad is now Forest Road 318, which marks the end of the Woodchute Trail #102.
There are splendid views in all directions from the top of Woodchute Mountain. From the south trailhead, it is a fairly easy 2.3 mile climb, with an elevation gain of only 600 feet. The elevation difference between the summit and the north trailhead, however, is over 2,000 feet. There are some steep switchbacks on this side.
This trail is within the Woodchute Wilderness. Motor vehicles and the use of any mechanized equipment, including bicycles, are prohibited. Wilderness is an important resource and national heritage—please, leave no trace.
Directions:
From the junction of Hwy 89/89A in Chino Valley, travel 18.3 miles on Hwy 89A to the Mingus Summit. Turn left onto Forest Road 106 and go 0.2 miles to FR 106D. Turn left and go 0.7 miles to the trailhead on the right. Parking is good.
To access the north trailhead from Hwy 89, travel east on Perkinsville Road (also County Road 70) 6.4 miles to its junction with FR 318A. Turn right onto FR 318A and continue 11.6 miles to the trailhead, on the right.
Each participant in any of these hikes assumes total responsibility for his or her own safety and well-being.