Groom Creek Loop hike (RSVP requested)

[hikeaz]

GROOM CREEK (Spruce Mountain) loop w/ optional Friday night car camp - Prescott

Friday - Saturday, Aug 26 - 27

Leader: Bonnie Jarnigan

email: bj@bndlitho.com

Length: 11 mile loop

Phone: 602-548-1019

Rating: Moderate

MEET at Denny’s parking lot, SW corner of 1-17 and Bell Road on Friday, 6:00 PM

Elevation change: 2300’

Please RSVP before August 19th.

If you want to merely do the day hike on Saturday, please call Bonnie for directions to the trailhead and meeting time.

The hike follows forest trail 307 up and over Spruce Mountain, going through large stands of Ponderosa, Spruce and Oak trees, as well as providing some spectacular views of the surrounding countryside (including the Granite Dells, Granite Mountain, The San Francisco Peaks, and three local lakes). There is a fire lookout tower at the top of Spruce – a great spot for lunch! There are no reliable water sources along the trail, so bring your own. Don’t forget your rain gear, as summer showers are unpredictable!
We will car camp in the area Friday night, to get an early start on the trail Saturday to beat the heat, and go for lunch afterward in downtown.

[te_wa]

funny name considering the "spruce" are actually white fir! I never did see a spruce tree up there. Easy way to tell from others: spruce have a flat side on their needles.