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| | Noodle-Sidekick-Javelina-Willow-Willy, AZ | | | |
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Noodle-Sidekick-Javelina-Willow-Willy, AZ
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| Hiking | 6.00 Miles |
732 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.00 Miles | 2 Hrs 21 Mns | | 2.59 mph |
| 732 ft AEG | 2 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | This is one of many possible "tadpole" loop hikes that are possible from the Spence Springs Trailhead west of Prescott, AZ. Noodle Loop Trail #760 is the only trail from this trailhead and itself is what I call a tadpole loop that has a tail (just 0.4 mile on #760) from the trailhead to where a loop can be formed. Since Noodle Loop Trail is only 2.2 miles and I wanted to hike six miles, I took Sidekick Trail #721 SSW to Javelina Trail #332 and Javelina Trail SSE to the fireplace (see photo) which I hadn't seen for about a year. I returned to the Noodle Loop Trail via Willow Creek Trail #704 and Willy Nilly Tractor #707. We've had enough precipitation in the winter of 2026 that Willow Creek was flowing (see photo) and providing a soundtrack for 2/3 of the Willow Creek Trail, until I climbed out of earshot.
Longer loops can be hiked by not turning at the fireplace. One option is to continue on Javelina Trail for a longer tadpole tail out-and-back, or taking West Trail #318 northeast to Firewater Trail #325 to return to the fireplace and the trailhead via Willow Creek Trail and Willy Nilly Tractor. Instead of continuing on Javelina Trail, you can take Firewater Trail east to West Trail and West Trail southeast to a bit of Pine Lakes Trail #316 to a left turn on Ridgetop Trail #317 and go mostly north to the east end of Willy Nilly Tractor, then return to Noodle Loop Trail. You can also make a big loop to the west by taking Javelina Trail to Little Italy Trail #703, Missing Link Trail #724, West Side Story Trail #725, Javelina again, and Vista Trail #706. I have posted some of these alternatives previously. |
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Spence Spring |
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| | | Willow Creek flowing | | _____________________
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