City of Prescott
The Prescott Circle Trail makes a 54-mile loop tour around the mile-high city using existing hiking trails, bike routes, roads and newly constructed paths. Swooping through a mixed bag of pine-wrapped mountains, creek side greenery, windy grasslands, municipal parks, national forests and high-country lakes, the route highlights the scenic diversity surrounding Arizona’s original capital city. More than a dozen trailheads along major roads make hiking the route in segments or via car shuttle treks a cinch. One favorite segment for day hiking in warmer months is The Goldwater Lakes Trail #396. Massive canopies of Ponderosa pine, Alligator juniper and oak provide cooling shade as the route winds above the lakes and across the boulder-flanked ravine and crisp waters of Bannon Creek. Although the trail proper does not go to the lakes, obvious spur trails will get you there. The trek is anchored by two trailheads, which connect to longer national forest routes and, of course, the rest of the Circle Trail.
- LENGTH: 4.7 miles one-way
- RATING: moderate
- ELEVATION: 5,630 – 6,165 feet
- BEST SEASON: September-May
GETTING THERE:
East Trailhead:
From State Route 69 in Prescott, go 4 miles south on Senator Hwy./Mt. Vernon Ave., to the Watershed #299 trailhead on the left. Trail #396 begins across the road.
West Trailhead:
Follow directions above, but continue past Mt. Vernon Ave. to Montezuma St. (a.k.a. White Spar Dr, SR89). Turn left and go 3 miles south to the White Spar Campground on the left.
FEE: none
HOURS: n/a
