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Hello all. I'm just curious about Horsethief Basin rec. area. I've driven by the sign on I-17 so many times and always wondered what was over there. I checked out the Prescott NF site, and there is little information on there, and not a ton on HAZ either. Are there any decent trails here?

Thanks,
Bryan

Ive been there a few times, albeit a few years ago, I dont recall any trails for hiking, although below there quite a few people go atving,

But I always had fun bushwhackin, there are some great views if you dont mind hiking through a lot of spines and needles

Dont know for sure, but I heard the Small Pond above the damn had nearly dried out? Maybe someone else can enlighten me

I'm really curious about the area, too. From what I've read, there are a couple trails out of Horsethief Basin that lead right into the Castle Creek Wilderness, which would mean no ATVs. The Prescott National Forest Map shows some hiking trails in the area, but it doesn't show the wilderness boundaries. It shows a trail that goes up "twin peaks", which I'm curious if those are the two most prominent peaks one can see from Sunset Point. I have an "Earth Tracks" recreation map of the Northern Bradshaws, which is actually a REALLY good map. It says there's one for the southern Bradshaws, titled "Crown King", but Wide World of Maps doesn't carry it. I'm think about seeing if I can order it online somewhere (or calling the number on the map) so I can have a good reference for that area.

If you haven't been to Crown King, it's a great place to visit. Try out the old saloon for a post-hike beer. There's a lot of interesting history you can read up on (available from numerous sources). There's a small B&B and some cabins for rent so you can stay there in the summertime as a base for recreation. Its not as bad as the Beeline/4-Peaks area in winter, but quads are a common scene up here.

Horsethief Basin probably doesn't deserve the huge sign on I-17. At least not because it's a great "Recreation Area." I've been there several times, but except for a few short hikes from a campsite once, I've never actually hiked there. Horsethief Lake is a small body of water that is dammed and stocked with fish (at least in summer). By small, I mean a Safeway store covers more area. There's usually a few people there on the weekends fishing. The lake is in an area with some private cabins/private land, and some closed roads accessing them.

Crown King and the areas above it such as Towers Mtn are typical of higher-elevation Arizona, with ponderosa pine and gamble oak providing ample shade. However, Horsethief Basin is a bit lower in elevation, and while there are sporadic strands of Ponderosa, much of the landscape is dominated by lower-growing pinon, juniper, and chaparral. I would compare it to what you find in and around Payson.

I once tried to drive to the Horsethief Lookout tower, but encountered a closed road before I got there. It was a hot summer day, and I didn't have the effort to look for it on foot. Though not technically in Horsethief Basin, I did enjoy a short hike to Poland Creek (Algonquin Trail #225) once. http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=9 I don't ever recall seeing the sign for any other trails, but the HAZ writeup and photos indicate that this trail connects to Horsethief Basin. I recommend the Algonquin Trail in Spring/Fall as it can get warm during the summer.

You can get to Crown King from I-17 in a sedan, but it will take you an hour on the dirt road. Past CK, and down to the basin requires high-clearance, and 4WD in wet weather. You can also get to CK from Prescott via the Senator Highway, which also requires high-clearance and sometimes 4WD. (Don't let the name "highway" fool you. It's a rough dirt-road.)