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.
‘We Were So Grateful’
The war in Ukraine has been stirring up memories for Mai Nguyen.
The impending North Vietnamese military invasion of South Vietnam forced Mai’s family to flee to the United States in 1975 when Mai was six years old, and she’s never returned. Vietnam has been a socialist republic controlled by communists ever since.
But you won’t hear Mai lamenting her life’s path.
Reclaiming the Wild West
Amy Hale has lived in the Prescott area for more than 14 years, relocating here from Texas, where she worked big commercial cattle operations. When she moved to Prescott, her husband, Gail Steiger, said, “I don’t need you to cook for me, or clean for me, and I do my own laundry. What I need is for you to get on your horse and ride.”
Wear Your Sunscreen
In the 80s — our teen years — it became more about appearance and tanning. We spent many summer hours on the back deck of Beth’s house, overlooking the creek, slathering on the baby oil and baking our skin in the sun. We knew that, eventually, our sunburns would turn into a tan. … or at least what we considered a healthy glow.
What we didn’t know: all that sun exposure earned us membership in a club we had no intention of joining. In our early 50s, we were both diagnosed with Melanoma.
Girls Just Wanna Have Sun
We have been hiking together for two years. Like everyone else, we had to get creative during the pandemic, social distancing and getting fresh air. Our first hike was supposed to be four miles around Willow Lake. Seven miles later, thanks to the high water level covering the trail, it was dusk. Knees deep in mud, we got back to the car feeling adventurous.
Prescott Has a Zoo?
If you’re new to Prescott you may not know of one of the city’s hidden treasures, the Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary. Although locals refer to it as the Heritage Park Zoo, it’s so much more than that.
A Journey Beyond the Wild Mountains
On the evening of the New Millennium, my husband and I scrambled over a barbed wire fence strung east of Kanab along Highway 89A. We had just entered Arizona from Utah; this was our first day hiking through the entire state of Arizona.
What Are You Waiting For?
Canyon exploration, she said, “just slows things down to the simplicity of what your basic needs are. Day three is when people just kind of melt into the Grand Canyon … the connection is so different for every single person. You reconnect to yourself.”
Grand Canyon: Rim to River
I was lucky enough recently to have the opportunity to journey through a small section with a few amazing friends. We began at the New Hance Trailhead just a few miles past Moran Point on the South Rim of the canyon. This trail is a steep, six-and-a-half-mile descent to Hance Rapid on the Colorado River, through the many layers of geologic features, all of which have their own beauty. We soaked our tired feet in the cold waters of the river and spent one night sleeping next to the roaring rapids.
‘Truly Wild and Free’
At first glance, an observer of Honeybee’s Adventure Time programs would see a bunch of kids playing outside: climbing rocks, trees, and mountains; building forts; jumping over (or splashing in) creeks.
But Honeybee Slayton, founder, knows that while they’re engaged in the simple act of playing, the children she spends time with are gaining invaluable experience.
Women: Crown Your Champions
The Prescott Frontier Days®, Inc. – World’s Oldest Rodeo® proudly promotes women’s competitive rodeo sports and awards equal prize money and buckles for champions in these events. Showcased events include barrel racing; a red-hot ballet featuring a cowgirl, her horse, three barrels, and a stopwatch; and breakaway roping, a lightning-fast display of roping skill and horsemanship.
Something New, Every Time
The Granite Dells have so much to offer. Every time I travel out that way, I see something new. Even though the area is primarily rock, it changes a surprising amount, season to season.
One of my favorite adventures out that way—with something for just about everyone—is the Flume Canyon. The trails out there are rocky and best suited for hikers with sturdy shoes. By following the white dots on the well-marked system, you can choose the length and distance of your hike through this incredible landscape.
Abundant Wildlife, Epic Views, Solitude
The trail is just longer than four miles and makes a loop. It is abundant with wildlife, epic views, solitude, and more treasures if you look closely. You’ll enjoy some good elevation gain as the trail takes you to the ridgeline, where the view makes you want to take your time as you travel, taking in the majestic mountains.