Watershed Trail #299, AZ

The Watershed Trail #299 is part of the Prescott Circle Trail and runs from the Senator Highway to forest road 52A in 3.2 miles. It is partially shaded and provides some views. It is a wide gravel and dirt path accessible to hikers, mountain bikers, horses, motorcycles and ATVs. We hiked on a Wednesday and didn't see any other users. The trail offers several options for a hike: (1) hike to FR52A and return, (2) hike to Spruce Mountain summit via this trail and FR52A and return, (3) hike to Walker Road via this trail and the Seven Mile Gulch Trail #9854 one way with a car shuttle or round trip, or (4) hike to Walker Road via this trail, FR52A and the Smith Ravine Trail #297 one way with a car shuttle. PDF View

The Hike. The trail begins on the left side of the parking area which is large enough for a number of cars. There is a fiberglas forest service sign marking this point. The trail immediately begins to climb and continues up at a moderate incline for the next 1.5 miles gaining 700 feet of elevation. At .6 miles (N34 29.957 W112 25.902) there is a concrete basin for Deer Lick Spring to the right of the trail which had water in it when we hiked in Aug 2009. At 1.2 miles there is the junction with the Seven Mile Gulch Trail #9854 (N34 30.207 W112 25.526). At about 1.5 miles the trail levels briefly and you begin to see views to the east through the trees. From here to the end of the trail you are walking on an undulating ridge. At 2.7 miles you come to a powerline tower (N34 29.211 W112 25.062) and begin a steep .1 miles climb to another powerline crossing beyond the next tower. From here it is .4 miles down to the junction with FR52A at N34 28.916 W112 24.945.

At this point you can return to the trailhead for a total of 6.4 miles and 1,405 feet of accumulated elevation gain (AEG). We felt energetic the day we did the hike so opted to continue on FR52A to the summit of Spruce Mountain. This is a road walk past private cabins on a well graded road accessible to family sedans. It isn't super interesting but provides some nice views, access to the summit and a good workout. To do this turn left on FR52A and follow it to the summit. At about 4.0 miles from the trailhead you get good views of the summit of Spruce Mountain to the right with the fire tower very evident. At 4.4 miles you come to the junction with the Smith Ravine Trail #297 (N34 28.490 W112 24.058) on the left. The road becomes steeper beyond this point. At 5.2 miles you reach the gate (N34 27.830 W112 24.027) and at 5.7 miles you reach the junction with the Groom Creek Loop (#307), access to the tower trail, picnic tables and an outdoor bathroom. The entire round trip from the trailhead to the summit and back is 11.36 miles and 2,395 feet AEG.

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2009-08-13 MEWhiteman