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| Hiking | 7.76 Miles |
1,489 AEG |
| | Hiking | 7.76 Miles | 4 Hrs 12 Mns | | 2.17 mph |
| 1,489 ft AEG | 37 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I planned a trip up to Prescott to meet up with my oldest son, Matt. He's not a hiker, but sons #2 & #3 are and we all packed in the truck early and drove up to Groom Creek TH to hit this cool little loop.
My lovely wife, Lynne, opted out and we dropped her at the Gateway Mall in Prescott and off we went.
The weather was very nice as we started off towards Spruce Mountain.
We made a quick stop at the rocks near the trailhead and then started the slow and gradual climb up to the mountain. The trail is in excellent shape. We came across 4-5 groups of hikers and a couple of horses and riders as well.
The trail going up really didn't have a really challenging section, although there's a couple of steeper areas.
We made good time up to the top and stopped at the Fire Tower. It was "manned" by the very friendly Miss Vicki, who gave us a tour and explained how they triangulate fire sighting using different towers seeing the same smoke. Very old school, but also very accurate. I guess this particular tower is staffed for the fire season during the day.
We had a nice lunch break up below the tower and started back down. Our original plan was to do the proper loop, but a combination of lack of time and the sight of 4-5 OHVs and a motorcycle heading up the little ridge that would be our path led us to just go back down the same way we came up.
About a mile above the trailhead, 2 teenagers came roaring by on dirt bikes. I didn't think they allowed motorized vehicles on that part of the trail???
We made it back and picked up Lynne at the mall and then drove out to Skull Valley to pick up my son Matt. We ended up at Mark's Beergarden off Irons Springs and had some brews and burgers.
I was great way to spend the Labor Day weekend. Family, hiking, beer and much nicer weather than the hellish inferno that is the Valley of the Surface of the Sun. |
| _____________________
"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."
instagram: @andydilling |
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