DESTINATION Legacy Trail Plus - Prescott Circle Trail 1 Photoset
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| Hiking | 7.39 Miles |
403 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.39 Miles | 2 Hrs 55 Mns | | 2.53 mph |
| 403 ft AEG | | | | |
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| Partners |
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[ show ]
| partners | | Skipping the 1.5 miles of road walking between Katahn Rd. and Williamson Valley Rd., today I set out to hike the seven miles from Williamson Valley to Willow Creek. And since I was in Prescott, my mine exploring buddy Prescottstyle (Paul) came along. 
Longview Trail is basically flat, as it follows the contour line between Pioneer Parkway and a housing development to the north. I’m not sure if it is on Prescott National Forest or Yavapai County land, but Longview ends when the PCT enters the City of Prescott.
The mile-long section of the Prescott Circle Trail through Pioneer Park used to be the Whipple Barracks Target Range. No more boom booms, but it is criss-crossed with old jeep trails.  
There’s also three large tunnels under Pioneer Parkway,and it is the third which the PCT passes through. (The first two can be used as shortcuts to Kuebler Park.) Shade is a precious commodity between Williamson Valley and Willow Creek, so the cool tunnel was a welcome minute out of the sun.
The Prescott Circle Trail borders a city truck yard and some more baseball fields, before reaching the simple barbwire fence which encloses Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The gate had a chain across it, with a “no trespassing”. We didn’t see an alternative, so Paul & I opted for a liberal interpretation of the sign, that it was meant for the Embry-Riddle’s physical plant rather than the PCT itself. 
From the gate, the Prescott Circle Trail parallels a Yavapai County equipment yard and the county health clinic, where there is another chained gate. Maybe the “no trespassing” sign is intended for bums & meth addicts?
The Prescott Circle Trail then passes behind a mini-storage and a Subaru dealer to the edge of Willow Creek Rd. The park is literally 250 yds. away, right behind the Honda dealer. But the PCT instead turns north. 
After a few more switchbacks, the Prescott Circle Trail arrives at the tunnel under Willow Creek Rd. … Which had an orange reflector traffic barricade across it … and another “no trespassing” sign. Maybe it’s because of the Chinese Lung AIDs?
Along Willow Creek, the Cottonwood Peninsula, and the trail accessing it, were underwater, making the area look more like a mangrove swamp.
When Paul and I arrived at the dog park, my wife was nowhere to be found. Turned out she was waiting for us back at Kuebler Park. No big: Without her shuttle driving, I would not be able to do these hikes. 
Hike Video: https://vimeo.com/470209172
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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