username
X
password
register
for free!
 help
 Home FAQ Contribute Camp Granada Surveys Shop
 TrailDEX Filter Areas A to Z Easy Hikes in Season Dog Hikes in Season
 MapRoute Editor Route Editor Route CloudRoute Scout Route Scout Foliage DEX Wildflower DEX
Publish a Guide
Trail/Hike Guide
 GPS Route
Recorded Track of a Hike
 Triplog
Review/Journal of a Hike
 Photoset
Photos of a Hike
help
  HAZ Forum
ArticlesGuidesRoutes
 
Photosets
 Recent Photosets
Liked PixelMASTERS
Avatars Tagged Notes
 
 Comments
triplogs   photosets   labels comments more
Hidden Valley Trail #374 - 3 members in 2 triplogs have rated this an average 4.3 ( 1 to 5 best )
2 triplogs
login for filter options
Jun 11 2023
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 127
 Photos 1,478
 Triplogs 129

male
 Joined May 07 2019
 Tempe, AZ
Goldwater Lakes Double Loop, AZ 
Goldwater Lakes Double Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 11 2023
mikemcg • Triplogs 129
Hiking8.02 Miles 940 AEG
Hiking8.02 Miles   4 Hrs   1 Min   2.30 mph
940 ft AEG      32 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Goldwater Lakes Trail #396
Banning Creek Trail #81 - Prescott NF
Hidden Valley Trail #374
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
It was 90° in Phoenix, and 77° in Prescott - easy decision. We arrived at the trailhead on Senator Highway at 1425 and headed out. There was only one other vehicle in the parking lot. The blue sky, perfect temperature, fresh pine smell, and chirping birds all contributed to a glorious afternoon.

The trail was very nice, well maintained, with a few rocky aspects. We took the side trail along the south shore of Upper Goldwater Lake. There were approximately 30 kayakers, 50 ducks, and numerous other birds on the lake. We observed Lower Goldwater Lake from above through the trees. We continued along Banning Creek Trail, but the creek was mostly dry, with a few pleasant pools along the way.

We looped back on Hidden Valley trail to Goldwater Lakes trail (jumping out of the way of a couple mountain bikers), then crossed over to the north side of the lakes, making a figure 8. There were a number of people fishing along the shore, but the only catch we observed was made by a bird, which then flew off with its prize.

My injured Achilles tendon started acting up during the last couple miles, but overall this was an excellent day. On the trail we encountered 2 mountain bikers and 2 dog walkers, but no other people the entire afternoon. We stopped at the Palace Saloon for dinner, which was exactly what we needed, then got some ice cream for the drive home.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Double-crested Cormorant

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Banning Creek Pools to trickle Pools to trickle

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Lower Goldwater Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Upper Goldwater Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full
  3 archives
Jun 29 2019
avatar

 Photos 5
 Triplogs 3

32 male
 Joined Sep 30 2014
 Tempe, AZ
A few trails in the Prescott National Forest, AZ 
A few trails in the Prescott National Forest, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 29 2019
watkins11 • Triplogs 3
Hiking8.00 Miles 1,246 AEG
Hiking8.00 Miles   3 Hrs   25 Mns   2.34 mph
1,246 ft AEG4 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Bean Peaks Loop
Twist & Shout Trail #372
Apple Blossom Trail #373
Hidden Valley Trail #374
Goldwater Lakes Trail #396
Partners none no partners
Got to the trailhead at 1pm. It was a bit hot heading out, but once I got into the woods, it cooled down quickly.

My initial plan was to follow the Bean Peaks loop, which initially started out incredible. The creek it follows is one of the lushest areas I've ever seen in Arizona. Simply incredible! At the point where it meets up with the logging trail though (~1.5mi), I mistakenly started following the road. I ended up heading up the hill and back down the other side, before realizing that I had been continuing on not only the wrong route, but also the wrong direction! After backtracking the mile or so to rejoin the proper route, I started following the trail on Route Scout.

This took me back to the creek I was following before, but there was definitely no trail to be found. I was essentially bushwhacking up the creek. After .4 miles of this, I decided to turn around and hike back out the same way. My phone was close to dead and I did not have a suitable map for off-trail hiking. Plus, I only had a few hours of daylight left. I'm looking forward to trying this again once I have more time and a good topo map as a backup.

I arrived back at the parking lot and started to take off my boots, but there were still two hours of daylight left and I saw a few other people parking in the lot. I was inspired to get back out on the trail and try something I had done before (since I was mapless) to increase my mileage and time on the trail. I ended up doing 372 :next: 373 :next: 375 :next: 376 and looping back to the parking lot.

All-in-all, while the issues with the Bean Peaks Loop were disappointing, it was a great hike!
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.32 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.

FAQ
helpcommentissue

end of page marker