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Ridgetop Trail #317 - 1 member in 11 triplogs has rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
11 triplogs
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Jan 18 2025
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 161
 Photos 477
 Triplogs 147

70 male
 Joined Jan 02 2016
 Prescott, AZ
Willy Nilly-Ridgetop-West, AZ 
Willy Nilly-Ridgetop-West, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jan 18 2025
Whiffer • Triplogs 147
Hiking9.90 Miles 957 AEG
Hiking9.90 Miles   3 Hrs   41 Mns   2.71 mph
957 ft AEG      2 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Noodle Loop Trail #760
Willy Nilly Tractor #707
Ridgetop Trail #317
West Trail #318
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
A fairly easy 10-mile out-and-back hike from the Spence Springs Trailhead west of Prescott, AZ. The only trail that starts at the Spence Springs Trailhead is Noodle Loop Trail #760 which is left out of the title. You can add about a half-mile by doing all of Noodle Loop Trail, or all of West Trail, or adding any of the other trails in the Spence Basin. Two of the options are to return to the Spence Basin via Firewater Trail #325 (before the turnaround of this hike) or Javelina Trail #332 (a little past the turnaround). A month into winter, the foliage notes have been removed, but there's still some color hanging on the branches, like the skunkbush sumac in the photo.
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  1 archive
Sep 04 2021
avatar

 Guides 107
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,067
 Triplogs 514

male
 Joined Nov 18 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Potts Creek Trail #327Prescott, AZ
Potts Creek Trail #327
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 04 2021
nonot • Triplogs 514
Hiking11.70 Miles 1,400 AEG
Hiking11.70 Miles
1,400 ft AEG
 
Linked   12 linked trail guides
Circle Connection Trail #322
Garden Grove Trail #392
Miller Creek Trail #367
Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326
Thumb Butte Trail #33
Thumb Connect Trail #314
Watertower Trail #315
Pine Lakes Trail #316
Ridgetop Trail #317
Watertower Loop
Honey Bucket Trail #333
Piglet Trail 328
Partners none no partners
The morning was great but as the day went on it got quite hot. Luckily a nice breeze started up and that helped.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Butte Creek Medium flow Medium flow
Flowing nicely

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Garden Grove Creek Pools to trickle Pools to trickle
There was a trickle in some lower areas of the drainage. Higher up it was dry though the ground was damp in places.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Miller Creek Medium flow Medium flow
Flowing nicely
_____________________
http://hikearizona.com/garmin_maps.php

Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, ankle-twisting, HAZmaster crushing ROCKS!!
Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, shin-stabbing, skin-shredding plants!
Hike Arizona it is full of striking, biting, stabbing, venomous wildlife!
  2 archives
Aug 13 2017
avatar

 Routes 7
 Photos 273
 Triplogs 234

54 male
 Joined Jul 16 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Pine Lakes Trail #316Prescott, AZ
Pine Lakes Trail #316
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 13 2017
Eartheist • Triplogs 234
Hiking3.09 Miles 349 AEG
Hiking3.09 Miles   1 Hour   13 Mns   2.54 mph
349 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Ridgetop Trail #317
Partners none no partners
Did this as a (lasso) loop starting at the trailhead for 316, went north to the end of the trail, and then came back down the 317. Nice easy hike, nice weather, saw Bambi.
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Aug 16 2014
avatar

 Guides 47
 Routes 96
 Photos 850
 Triplogs 385

81 male
 Joined Dec 24 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Thumb Butte Trails North, AZ 
Thumb Butte Trails North, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Aug 16 2014
MEWhiteman • Triplogs 385
Hiking5.25 Miles 688 AEG
Hiking5.25 Miles   1 Hour   58 Mns   2.67 mph
688 ft AEG
 
Linked   linked  
Watertower Trail #315
Ridgetop Trail #317
West Trail #318
Miller Creek Trail #367
Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326
Partners none no partners
Sam and I did a loop on 315, 317, 318, 367 & 326 with a .5 mile in and out on 316 to make it a 5 mile day. 315 seemed to be reconfigured to avoid some eroded areas but generally follows the old trail. Quite a few people out on the trails but the parking lot was only half full.
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Jun 05 2014
avatar

 Routes 4
 Photos 33
 Triplogs 11

42 male
 Joined Aug 04 2012
 Prescott, AZ
Ridgetop Trail #317Prescott, AZ
Ridgetop Trail #317
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 05 2014
gregrev • Triplogs 11
Hiking2.10 Miles 386 AEG
Hiking2.10 Miles
386 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Trail run. Joined Ridgetop Trail from the Thumb Butte Park Trailhead via #316. Jump on #317 at the forks. The trail actually continues to #316 which will loop back to the park. Cool views, relatively flat on #317. #316 is a bit more hilly but still manageable.

$5 at Thumb Butte park without a pass.
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Oct 20 2012
avatar

 Photos 68
 Triplogs 70

female
 Joined Oct 27 2011
 Prescott, AZ
Thumb Butte #316 317 318 322 367 326, AZ 
Thumb Butte #316 317 318 322 367 326, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 20 2012
BOHOHiker • Triplogs 70
Hiking5.75 Miles
Hiking5.75 Miles   2 Hrs      3.14 mph
      10 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
Linked   6 linked trail guides
Pine Lakes Trail #316
Ridgetop Trail #317
West Trail #318
Circle Connection Trail #322
Miller Creek Trail #367
Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326
Partners none no partners
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Sep 24 2012
avatar

 Photos 68
 Triplogs 70

female
 Joined Oct 27 2011
 Prescott, AZ
Thumb Butte #316 317 318 322 367 326, AZ 
Thumb Butte #316 317 318 322 367 326, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Sep 24 2012
BOHOHiker • Triplogs 70
Hiking5.75 Miles
Hiking5.75 Miles   2 Hrs      3.14 mph
      10 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
Linked   6 linked trail guides
Pine Lakes Trail #316
Ridgetop Trail #317
West Trail #318
Circle Connection Trail #322
Miller Creek Trail #367
Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326
Partners none no partners
YEA!!! Fall is finally here again! :FG:
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Oct 30 2011
avatar

 Photos 68
 Triplogs 70

female
 Joined Oct 27 2011
 Prescott, AZ
Thumb Butte #316 317 318 322 367 326, AZ 
Thumb Butte #316 317 318 322 367 326, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 30 2011
BOHOHiker • Triplogs 70
Hiking5.75 Miles
Hiking5.75 Miles   2 Hrs      3.14 mph
      10 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
Linked   6 linked trail guides
Pine Lakes Trail #316
Ridgetop Trail #317
West Trail #318
Circle Connection Trail #322
Miller Creek Trail #367
Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326
Partners none no partners
TRAILS: Looped & Connected - #316,317,318,322,367,326
This was a good solid hike. Went yesterday, which was a Sunday. Arrived at about 11:30AM, and the main Thumb Butte Rec. Area parking lot was full. The day fee is $5, with the exception of Wednesdays... Which = FREE DAY in all the Prescott Nat. Forest Parks... BUT, on this Sunday I have the "Prescott Take a Hike" Thumb Butte Pass... YEA!!! Which in turn = NO FEE FOR ME! :GB:
Anyway... Fantastic day for a little hiking excursion!!
Lucy and I headed off onto 316 and made our way back to 317 looping back to our "Starting point." At this point, we continued up 318 - Which at first is a gradual incline with lots' of loose rocks... When reaching even ground, there are a number of burn out spots... This has got a very secluded feel to it, and there isn't a lot of pines or trees... Sunny. (Saw a tarantula crossing the path:-) Not anyone around, even on a Sunday! We ended off this trail by hopping onto 332S. Which is just a skip to 367. (Cross Thumb Butte Rd. here) This trail pretty much follows the road all the way to an exit/beginning point. I kept going here and shortly reached the 326 connector. This led us all the way back to the main parking lot.
Sat down for a few, drank some more H2O, gave Lucy a jerky treat, then we finished up by hitting #33....
A good day of hiking fun :y:
And for a Sunday... The trails I took were EMPTY!! In total on 316 and 317 I saw two people, 318 NADA, 322,367 NADA, 326 One couple.
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Jun 23 2010
avatar

 Guides 47
 Routes 96
 Photos 850
 Triplogs 385

81 male
 Joined Dec 24 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Thumb Butte Trails North, AZ 
Thumb Butte Trails North, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 23 2010
MEWhiteman • Triplogs 385
Hiking9.60 Miles 1,125 AEG
Hiking9.60 Miles   4 Hrs   25 Mns   2.17 mph
1,125 ft AEG
 
Linked   7 linked trail guides
Watertower Trail #315
Ridgetop Trail #317
Pine Lakes Trail #316
West Trail #318
Miller Creek Trail #367
Javelina Trail #332
Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326
Partners none no partners
The plan was to repeat a hike I did last year but with a different hiking partner. As it turned out there were new and extended trails that caught our interest and a 6.5 mile hike became a 9.6 mile hike.

We started at the Thumb Butte parking area and followed trail #315, Watertower Trail, to its end at trail #317, Ridgetop Trail (N34 33.519 W112 31.071). We turned right here and followed #317 to the end at a gate. We turned around and followed #317 to its junction with trail #316, Pine Lakes Trail (N34 33.370 W112 31.390). We turned right onto #316 and followed it until it appeared to end at Windy Walk Lane, a gravel road (N34 34.167 W112 30.861). Just before this point the trail continued right on a less obvious track. Following that we came to a zip line station at the top of a hill (N34 34.029 W112 30.926) and a gravel road. We turned left on the gravel road and at a point where the road veered left (N34 33.961 W112 30.956) we turned right onto a small trail which led back to #316 near a gate. We turned left on #316 and followed it back to the junction with #317. We turned right onto #317 and followed it until it ended at a street in a residential area and then retraced our steps to the 316/317 junction. We followed #316 south for a short distance, then turned right onto trail #318, West Trail (N34 33.354 W112 31.383). We followed #318 until it ended at trail #332, Javelina Trail, a gravel road and part of the Prescott Circle Trail (N34 32.928 W112 32.217). We turned left here, crossed Country Road 65 to the beginning of trail #367, Miller Creek Trail, directly across from #332 (N34 32.819 W112 32.075). We followed #367 until it ended at trail #326, Thumb Butte Connector (N34 33.007 W112 31.552). We went left at this fork and followed #326 back to the parking.

This was a varied hike with some shade and a lot of sun. There are areas of low shrubs and tall pines, some alive and some dead. There are some hills and washes but not too many and with no long climbs. There are nice views in many directions. The hike can easily be modified to shorten the distance due to the many trails in the area. The map available at the fee station is pretty good but at the time we did the hike, it didn't show the extended trail #317 from #316 out to the residential area or the loop at the end of #316, but my GPS route does show these.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Butterfly Weed  Engelmann Prickly Pear  Gooding's Verbena  Parry's Agave
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Water Well
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Dec 02 2005
avatar

 Triplogs 8

59 male
 Joined Aug 27 2002
 Tucson, AZ
Thumb Butte North - 316 317 315, AZ 
Thumb Butte North - 316 317 315, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Dec 02 2005
madmax • Triplogs 8
Hiking3.00 Miles
Hiking3.00 Miles   1 Hour   30 Mns   2.00 mph
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Pine Lakes Trail #316
Watertower Trail #315
Ridgetop Trail #317
Partners none no partners
:)

Hiked out trial 316 to the forest boundary. Forest Service trail guide says 1.5 miles, think it was more like 1. Then took trial 317 to 315 and back to the parking lot. 3 miles all together. Great views of Thumb Butte, Granite Mountain, Little Granite and eve the San Francisco Peaks on an overcast and cool day.
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Oct 01 2005
avatar

 Guides 2
 Photos 689
 Triplogs 105

64 female
 Joined Apr 05 2005
 Mesa, AZ
Thumb Butte 315 317 316, AZ 
Thumb Butte 315 317 316, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 01 2005
Nan • Triplogs 105
Hiking2.00 Miles
Hiking2.00 Miles   1 Hour      2.00 mph
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Watertower Trail #315
Ridgetop Trail #317
Pine Lakes Trail #316
Partners none no partners
I thought I'd check these trails out. since no-one had written them up yet and I had some hours to kill before the Prescott Folk Festival kicked off. I made a loop, starting on TR315, turning west where it ends at 317, and taking 316 back to the parking lot. The 2 miles is an estimate. This makes for a pleasant nature walk without much elevation gain but a wide variety of plant and animal life. All the trail intersections are well-marked.

TR315 starts from the east end of the parking lot, behind the Host's campsite, or you can take a flight of stairs and a little-worn track across to the trail. The trail ascends gradually, past the round aluminum (?) watertower that it's named for, followed by a great view of some expensive houses. Suburbia falls behind once you reach TR317 and turn east. The trail follows along a small ridge. This day I could see smoke gathering in the depression between the ridge and Thumb Butte. I startled a deer, which politely waited while I fished my camera out, posed nicely, then went sproinging off down the hill! The Host later said it was probably driven over by the fires to the west - source of the smoke that I saw. Coming back down TR316, the pine spars, victims of the bark beetle, were more in evidence. Woodpeckers and huge black crows were busily hammering them. TR316 drops you back in the parking lot across from one of the restrooms, a few hundred feet from where you started.

Footnote:The trail marked as TR316A on the map is 389 on the trail markers.
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average hiking speed 2.35 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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