Hiking & Outdoor
Breathe in the beauty of Prescott’s great outdoors! In our Hiking & Outdoor section, Prescott Woman Magazine highlights the best trails, nature spots, and outdoor adventures Northern Arizona has to offer. Whether you're a seasoned hiker or a weekend explorer, find inspiration to get outside, stay active, and connect with nature.
To the Mountains, I Will Go
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 Gateway Trail
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.
Well Worth the Drive
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.
The Dells!
A New Set of ‘Incredibly Beautiful’ Trails Southeast of the Peavine/Iron King Intersection Provides Myriad Hiking Opportunities and Breathtaking Sights
Self-Care Tips that Don’t Break the Bank
Most women struggle with self-care because we’re often told we must put others first. But when you take care of yourself, you are inadvertently improving the lives of those you love.
Here are five easy self-care activities you can do anywhere, anytime, and cheaply.
Swish!
With the help of a generous booster and lots of enthusiasm, the Yavapai College women’s basketball program is bouncing back to prominence after an 11-year hiatus.
West Spruce Goes East
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.
A Human Approach in the Age of Online
Those who practice yoga in Prescott have likely heard of or taken a class at BEND Hot Yoga. In its two studio spaces at 434 W. Goodwin Street, BEND offers a comprehensive collection of more than 45 classes per week, including Hot Yoga, Non-Heated Yoga, Yoga for Beginners, Yoga for Seniors, Aerial Yoga, Pilates, Hot HIIT, and more. Since 2012, the team at BEND has proudly provided wellness, support, and strength to the Prescott community. Team members are passionate about cultivating the highest quality, safest, and cleanest space for their diverse and dynamic schedule of classes.
A Metamorphosis for Everyone to Enjoy
The story starts last May, when I was on a hike along the Granite Creek Trail led by Michael Byrd, of Prescott Creeks. We arrived just north of the underpass at Gurley Street, which is home to the massive concrete wall. It was, to say the least, not attractive. Michael mentioned it might be nice if there was something on the wall. As an artist of over 50 years, I immediately thought of a mural.
#Goals
Cori, who graduated from BASIS Prescott in 2018, knew from the time she was an AYSO player, tagging along with her big sister’s team, that she was meant to play on a bigger pitch. That dream became reality when she signed with Cruz Azul this February.
“It was unbelievable,” Matt said of watching Cori play on TV one evening. “I came home from work last night and there on TV was my daughter playing pro soccer in one of the largest stadiums in the world. There are no words to describe the emotions.”
Matt and Tracy traveled to Mexico City in March to watch her play in person, and, Tracy said, “It was very surreal. We watched this kid growing up, playing soccer since she was very young. She’s always been very determined, very perseverant. [Watching her play professionally] was such an amazing joy. It was a mountaintop moment.”
Helping Raise an Active, Healthy Generation
The 2023 Summer Program is much more than just day long care for youth, as Clubhouses offer creative and engaging camp-oriented activities. Each themed summer week includes a wide range of games, sports, recreation, group projects, and crafts. As members explore their way through Adventure Week, they will participate in camping activities and crafts, as well as the Ultimate Journey, a program that includes activities in partnership with the National Park Service. Youth will also have a blast in themed weeks such as Sports Camp, Science Week, Arts Camp, Carnival Week, Beach Week, and so much more!
The Wonders Await You … In Arizona!
Local First Arizona’s mission is to help advance tourism in rural cities and towns. A past Arizona Office of Tourism study found Arizonans were spending a whopping $6 billion annually on tourism in southern California alone. In an effort to shift even a fraction of that money into local communities, Local First set out to make it easier for Arizonans to discover all that in-state rural communities offer as destinations in their own right. Enter WeekendZona!
WeekendZona, just one of several tools and programs Local First launched to promote rural destinations, features guided three-day excursions into rural parts of the state.