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| Hiking | 10.51 Miles |
966 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.51 Miles | 3 Hrs 43 Mns | | 2.83 mph |
| 966 ft AEG | | | | |
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[ show ]
| no partners | | Because there is no trailhead where the Prescott Circle Trail crosses Thumb Butte Rd., I started from the Thumb Butte Recreation Area, hiking west for a mile on Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326 and Miller Creek Trail #367 to pick up the PCT. Just in that first mile, it was obvious that there had been no drop off in the #flowerporn over the past fortnight.
There is space for a few vehicles where the Prescott Circle Trail crosses Thumb Butte Rd., but it is marked by several no parking signs. It would suck to go for a long walk only to return to your trailhead to discover you have more walking — and a hefty fine — ahead of you.  
From Thumb Butte Rd., the PCT follows Javelina Trail #332. The first half mile is old jeep trail, then it is 2.5 miles of shady single track to Spence Springs Rd. In that distance I encountered nine mountain bikers, one hiker, and jillions of flowers. Just before Spence Springs Rd., there is an corral and stone fireplace, obviously the remains of an old homestead.
Javelina Trail #332 continues along Spence Springs Rd., which is mostly crushed volcanic cinders — rare in this area — for the first mile, before gradually transitioning to more common gravel surface. A car could easily drive it and, although there is a gate at Iron Springs TH, I did see a BMW SUV near the utility substation. He must have come in the back way from Deering Park.
Just past the BMW, I saw a mountain biker pushing her ride. I asked if she had a flat, but she said she’d strained a muscle and could not pedal. I offered to stay with her, but she declined. Onward. 
Though I was hiking on a mindnumbing forest road, the Prescott Circle Trail did offer some good views of points east from the old gravel pit a half mile south of Iron Springs Rd. I could see Mingus Mountain, Glassford Hill, Spruce Mountain, Mount Union and, of course, Thumb Butte.
A quarter mile north of Iron Springs Rd., I found a decent place for a break. I sat down amongst a patch of some green plant that resembled a fern, but with much finer stems and leaves. While I aired out my feet and had a snack, I noticed a faintly unpleasant smell. (That was not my feet.) Like old skunk, but not nearly as bad. I figured there must be something dead near by.
After crossing a gulley a half mile north of my break spot, there was very little shade the last four miles of the hike to Katahn TH.
For about a half mile north of Granite Basin Rd. there were tremendous views across Granite Basin to Two Rock Mountain, Little Granite Mountain and Granite Mountain. ⛰
There was an cluster of stunning paintbrush flowers just before the Willow Connector Trail #346 intersection.
Just past Trail #346, there is a confusing tangle of trail intersections: Willow Trail #347, itself, continues directly towards the Katahn Work Center (a Prescott National Forest facility). Not sure what the trail surface is like, but it cannot be any rockier than the remainder of the Prescott Circle Trail, which instead follows Ho-Kay-Gan Trail #341. Taking the Trail #347 shortcut will save ¾ of a mile over staying on the PCT. That’s not really much of a shortcut, but your feet will appreciate it if you are not a PCT completist. 
About a mile from Katahn TH, I took my second break. I could have kept walking, but I wanted to call my wife for a pickup. I sat in the same sort of fern-ish plants I had on my first break, and smelled the same vaguely unpleasant smell. Rather than a dead thing, or my exposed feet, it must be the plants. 
When I reached Katahn TH, I was glad to be finished: My feet were sore and it was much, much warmer than I expected.
Hike Video: https://vimeo.com/496407008 |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
Just as good as two weeks ago on the PCT between Copper Basin Rd. and Thumb Butte Rd. |
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
