Hiking & Outdoor

People often inquire about my top trail pick, a question that’s not easy to answer. My favorite trail varies depending on the season, the time available, my energy level, and the company I’m with. I’ve compiled a diverse list of trails I enjoy, each offering a unique experience.

For Maryah Dilbeck, owner of Born To Be Wild Adventures, starting a business that allowed her to spend time with her daughter while earning a living was key. “I brought my daughter to work from the beginning. Now that she’s six, she still joins me when she’s not at school. She helps with the signing of waivers and hands out paddles and vests. Her favorite thing to do is hand out glow sticks for moonlight kayaking.”

With a tiny emerging business-owner-in-training, Maryah added, “The greatest aspect of having my own business is to be able to be present, raise my daughter, and pass along my passion of adventure and nature.”

Legends from multiple cultures describe a cosmic turtle carrying the world on its back. I’d suggest that the closest a human can get to feeling the weight, responsibility, and power the turtle might experience is to take a baby on a backpacking adventure.

When I experienced a painful miscarriage in 2021, I went to the backcountry with a friend of mine. Trudging a canyon in silence, laughter, or intense dialogue. Weighted down with food, water, and shelter … with a fellow woman. This is exactly what I needed to heal.

The Bean Peaks Gravity Flow trail system is being developed about three miles south of town on White Spar Road. A gravity flow trail system involves a series of one-way trails designed for mountain bikers to be able to climb a gradual hill and then enjoy a series of trail options to descend.

Some trails will involve more technical features, while others will allow beginners to get a taste of technical features that can also be rolled over at slower speeds.

The idea is to give mountain bikers a place to safely enjoy some faster downhill riding without the concern of yielding to other users—on these trails, they have the right of way. Everywhere else in town, mountain bikers are expected to yield to all other trail users no matter what direction they are traveling. The Bean Peaks area will have trails that are designated for climbing and will be multi use; while the descending trails will be one direction single use trails for mountain bikes only. Signs and user education materials will be a major component to ensure the safety of all users.

Last summer, I wrote about a trail extension in the works for the West Spruce Trail #264. It has finally connected to several other trails, making exploring the mountains southwest of town easier.

The old West Spruce Trail terminated near the Thumb Butte Loop Road cattle guard. Now, thanks to the completion of the extension, the 264 trail crosses the road and heads east.

The trail is mellow with little to no incline or decline as it wraps around the hillside, exposing more amazing views to the north. The trail winds around the hillsides for about a mile until you run into an intersection where hikers have four options from which to choose. The Sierra Pieta overlook is a mile to the south. Potts Creek is 1.5 miles in the other direction; old Forest Road 9401J will take you to the circle trail intersection on 327, and now you can go straight across and head another 2 miles towards Copper Basin Road and Forest Road 9402D, which will take you to the Mt. Francis Trails.

The Storm Trails in the heart of the Granite Dells now have a new access point. The Gateway Trail allows users to access the Peavine Trail just north of the Iron King intersection in just a half mile. The trail starts on Old Highway 89. When heading north on 89 out of Prescott, there is a right-hand turn just before Three Sisters Consignment that takes you past the trailer park to an area with some parking.

Sycamore Canyon Wilderness has so much scenic beauty to offer. It has many access points and many miles of trails surrounding it and in it. One of my favorite Sycamore hikes is the Sycamore Rim Trail. It is a bit of a drive to get to, but well worth the effort.

A New Set of ‘Incredibly Beautiful’ Trails Southeast of the Peavine/Iron King Intersection Provides Myriad Hiking Opportunities and Breathtaking Sights

I recently had a conversation with Jason Williams, Prescott National Forest (PNF) Trails and Wilderness Manager, about what is happening with the trails out at West Spruce.

He told me the latest project is a new trail that will connect to the West Spruce Trail, which currently ends or begins on Forest Road (FR) 373 just before the cattle guard. I jumped in the truck and went to see how much they have accomplished.

To find this new trail, head past Thumb Butte about 1.8 miles, then turn left onto FR 373. Continue another 3.2 miles on the dirt road to a small parking area on the right, just before the cattle guard. This new trail takes off to the east and offers spectacular views as it twists and turns over two miles to Copper Basin Road.  

This section of trail will be slightly narrower and more difficult than the Circle Trail.