Grapevine Trail near Prescott, anyone been there?

[domer88]

I just found this trail over the last weekend and was blown away by it. It is one of the most "fantasy" like trails I have found in the state. By fantasy I mean it does not even look like AZ at points, like your in some fantasy world. I saw all kinds of different pines, huge spruce trees (i think, I have never seen them this large in the area).. Looked like pines that should be in the northeast states, pines, oaks, waterfalls, ice pools.

I also saw some HUGE petrified trees, I found one base that was about 30 feet across and 20 feet tall. I did not even realise what it was until I steeped back from it about 20 feet and to my eyes it seemed like the base of some huge anchient tree. way old tree, it was amazing, i stared at it for a good half hour, to bad i did not have a camera. The further I got back (I was trying to find the spring, its a nice riparian area) the more fantasy like the woods became.. I swear If i looked just right I could see a hobbit or a fayery or something : king : .. I never made it to the spring because it got dark and I lost track of time, but this place is amazing and no one seems to know about it.. I don't even remember how I got the directions to it..

So anyone else know of this treasure? I am sure some of you have been there, right past poland junction

[0hurricanes]

Ok, I'm stumped! I have only been in the area 7 months but can't seem to find "grapevine trail". Where is it located near (besides Prescott!)? Sounds like I would like to add this one to my list!

Jeff

[CannondaleKid]

Oh, the wonders of Google...
Here's a description at ArizonaGuide.com:

Grapevine Trail
Beginning Elevation: 4,400 Feet (1371.6 Meters)
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 500 Feet (155.9 Meters)
High Point: 4,900 Feet (1527.4 Meters)
Length: 5 Miles (8.33 Kilometers)
Trail Number: 135
Usage: Light
USGS Map: Aztec Peak

General Description:
This trail offers access to Sierra Ancha Wilderness, overlooks of Cherry Creek drainage paralleling the Sierra Ancha eastern escarpment. Most of this trail was an old jeep trail which generally contours under the high bluffs of the Sierra Ancha. Wildlife include the black bear, javelina and deer. There are campsites at the old Pueblo mining area and at Billy Lawrence Trailhead.

Directions:
From Young, Travel south on State Highway #288, take Cherry Creek Road (FR #203) north of Roosevelt Lake. Travel east approximately 31.8 miles to the trailhead. A high clearance or 4X4 vehicle is needed on this road. This trailhead can also be reached by driving south on FR #203 from Board Tee Saddle on State Highway #288, or can be accessed from the Billy Lawrence Trailhead via Lucky Strike Trail #144.

Seasons:
Normally Open: Spring - Fall

More Information:
Pleasant Vally Ranger District, P.O. Box 450, FR #63, Young, AZ 85554. Phone: 520-462-4300

Here's another web site that has hike info:
http://www.compassmonkey.com/activities ... ackpacking

[joebartels]

Those are both in the Sierra Anchas. The subject line reads near Prescott...

[CannondaleKid]

Now that I read the directions... I'm not sure if this is the same trail??? The description I found appears quite some distance from Prescott.

Do you have any more info you can provide from our hike domer88?

[joebartels]

I'd stick with HAZ, those other advertisement laden sites are for monkeys!

http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=986

Though I'm pretty sure I wasn't in the right area. I didn't see ANY petrified trees

[Al_HikesAZ]

In response to joe bartels' reply:
Joe - you are too much. You just had to rush out there and hike this trail

Thanks for the write up and the in-depth research. You are truly amazing and we appreciate you.

So you nailed Grapevine Trail. Now what do you know about Vineyard Trail :twisted:

[domer88]

Hey Joe, thats the trail. I found the petrified trees off the trail abit, about half a mile before the spring on the big bug mesa side. I wish I would have took some pictures. I have been hearing this area is really really nice in the spring/summer.. I thought it was great a few weeks ago when I went. I did do a bit of off trail exploration though..

[domer88]

I uploaded a few pictures of when I was out there (Clarification to above post, I had a camera , these were taken before my camera died ) if anyone wants to check them out.

[joebartels]

It's a great little hike. Glad I had the opportunity, thanks for sharing!

[domer88]

Just to let fellow explorers know this trial is pretty amazing right now if you like the green riperian areas of arizona, allot nicer then when I went in the winter.. one of my new favorite semi private places (dont tell anyone !)

[kjarvis]

Well yes, did it today as a matter of fact. Quite happy to
have found it myself. Want to go back when it's a bit warmer and spend
the day exploring all the swimming holes, none of them were deep, but
the area was beautiful. and green.

[Peter_Medal]

I make it a point to explore this area at least once a month. I traverse the Grapevine Canyon via a 1700' AEG up the Big Bug Mesa East saddle which abuts Grapevine Canyon then chute down to the Grapevine falls and loop back out to trailhead. Its one of my favorite places to explore for a routine Friday morning.