Route Editor
Route Scout
Author Full Detail Guide Overview: This 3.5-mile trail encircles a portion of Willow Lake above the high water mark. Access is from Heritage Park, Willow Lake, and Willow Creek Park. Shown on the NE Prescott Trails map. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community. 2008-09-25 One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Willow Creek Reservoir
Constellation Willow Lake Loop
The convocation of Deb and I spent, a portion of the day playin' in the bolder wonderland of The Constellation Trail System and Willow Lake.
I was surprised to still see the Cormorants in the Huge Cottonwood tree, on the Cottonwood Spur trail. I counted at least 8 nests in that tree with 16+. The roosting noises they make are a cross between the oinking of a pig and the noises penguins make. Kind of eerie actually.
There are endless possibilities out here, with the two lakes in close proximity to each other and all the bolder exploring you could do.
It got a little warmer than the forecast high I believe, but the breezes kept it tolerable.
I was surprised to still see the Cormorants in the Huge Cottonwood tree, on the Cottonwood Spur trail. I counted at least 8 nests in that tree with 16+. The roosting noises they make are a cross between the oinking of a pig and the noises penguins make. Kind of eerie actually.
There are endless possibilities out here, with the two lakes in close proximity to each other and all the bolder exploring you could do.
It got a little warmer than the forecast high I believe, but the breezes kept it tolerable.
2016-05-28 The_Eagle
Willow Creek Reservoir
Constellation Willow-Watson Loop
Joe through a dart at the Constellation Trail system and said, come up with something. I didn't know anything about this "Little Gem" so I started downloading stuff. There are 11 trails in the Constellation Trail system, totaling less than 5 miles. So that wasn't going to make the drive to Prescott worth it. I'd looped Watson lake before and enjoyed the heck out of it. I'd always wanted to loop Willow Lake also, so it was on.
The Constellation Trail System is a wonderful group of of short trails through a boulder wonderland. Officially it's a self-enclosed system. But as we found on the way back, there is a trail that connects this with the Willow Dells system and Willow Lake. The Ron James Approach Trail does not show to connect on the maps, but it does. There is no signage and it's not obvious though.
All but the east side of Willow Lake looked like just a means to connect the loop, but then we stumbled on the Cottonwood Spur. Some of the biggest Cottonwood stands I've seen. `
Willow Lake Video
https://youtube.com ... YbKg
Back on the Jan Alfano Trail and then we jumped over to Watson Lake, to do the loop there.
Watson Lake Video https://youtube.com ... CTBU
The highlight on this loop is the Lakeshore Trail and the Over The Hill Trail, taking you to the Granite Creek Dam.
Granite Creek Dam, Watson Lake Video https://youtube.com ... nVp0
A little road walk got us back over to the Willow Dells Trails.
Once again the hiking was great, except for 1/2 hour bug storm we ran through.
I really enjoyed looping these two Granite infested lakes, and the weather was perfect!
A great time out with the Squad.
On the day....A Gopher snake, Squirrels, Cottontail rabbits, Cormorants, all sorts of Ducks, Bluejays, Blue Herons, A hawk diving out of the sky right in front of us snagging a bird.
The Constellation Trail System is a wonderful group of of short trails through a boulder wonderland. Officially it's a self-enclosed system. But as we found on the way back, there is a trail that connects this with the Willow Dells system and Willow Lake. The Ron James Approach Trail does not show to connect on the maps, but it does. There is no signage and it's not obvious though.
All but the east side of Willow Lake looked like just a means to connect the loop, but then we stumbled on the Cottonwood Spur. Some of the biggest Cottonwood stands I've seen. `
Willow Lake Video
https://youtube.com ... YbKg
Back on the Jan Alfano Trail and then we jumped over to Watson Lake, to do the loop there.
Watson Lake Video
https://youtube.com ... CTBU
The highlight on this loop is the Lakeshore Trail and the Over The Hill Trail, taking you to the Granite Creek Dam.
Granite Creek Dam, Watson Lake Video
https://youtube.com ... nVp0
A little road walk got us back over to the Willow Dells Trails.
Once again the hiking was great, except for 1/2 hour bug storm we ran through.
I really enjoyed looping these two Granite infested lakes, and the weather was perfect!
A great time out with the Squad.
On the day....A Gopher snake, Squirrels, Cottontail rabbits, Cormorants, all sorts of Ducks, Bluejays, Blue Herons, A hawk diving out of the sky right in front of us snagging a bird.
2016-04-16 The_Eagle
