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West Trail #318 - 4 members in 12 triplogs have rated this an average 3.3 ( 1 to 5 best )
12 triplogs
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Apr 12 2025
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
Whiskey Basin 91k, AZ 
Whiskey Basin 91k, AZ
 
Run/Jog avatar Apr 12 2025
fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124
Run/Jog57.90 Miles 6,376 AEG
Run/Jog57.90 Miles   15 Hrs   15 Mns   3.99 mph
6,376 ft AEG      45 Mns Break5 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   18 linked trail guides
Prescott Circle Trail - Trail #393
Embry-Riddle & Jan Alfano Trails - PCT
Legacy Trail Plus - Prescott Circle Trail
Ho-Kay-Gan Trail #341
Javelina Trail #332
West Trail #318
Garden Party #324
Garden Grove Trail #392
Circle Connection Trail #322
Potts Creek Trail #327
Cold Springs Trail #393
Aspen Creek Trail #48
Wolverton Mountain Trail #9415
Goldwater Lakes Trail #396
Ranch Trail #62
Ranch Trail #62 Extension PCT
Badger Mountain Trail
Sundog Trail
Partners none no partners
Did the Whiskey Basin 91k on a tremendous saturday. Had nice clouds for a lot of the warmer part of the day. This route linked up a million trails and basically incorporated the entire Prescott Circle Trail around Prescott, starting and finishing at Watson Lake.

My plan was to jog whatever flat and downhill I could and just quickly hike the rest, since that is how I have been moving lately and I wanted to see if I could pull off an ultramarathon this way. It actually worked well and I had plenty of time to spare.

The route itself is beautiful mixing in high desert, juniper and pine country. Really spectacular.

I felt pretty good most of the time. Had some low back pain towards the end. The girls met me at mile 6 and 37 and that was truly a delight.

Did less than an hour at the end by headlamp and that was it. T shirt the whole time and the temps were perfect. Got hot a little in the middle section and got doused with ice water at mile 32 which was heavenly. it clouded up after that for what would have otherwise been the hottest and most exposed part so that was delightful
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hi
 
Jan 18 2025
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 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
Aug 29 2024
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 Guides 93
 Routes 397
 Photos 4,984
 Triplogs 4,124

49 male
 Joined Jun 20 2003
 Tucson, AZ
West Trail #318Prescott, AZ
West Trail #318
Prescott, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Aug 29 2024
fricknaley • Triplogs 4,124
Run/Jog15.90 Miles 1,716 AEG
Run/Jog15.90 Miles   3 Hrs   28 Mns   4.68 mph
1,716 ft AEG      4 Mns Break5 LBS Pack
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Firewater Trail #325
Javelina Trail #332
Partners none no partners
Made a loop out of a few trails and ran it until the sun went down. Felt pretty good. Very beautiful evening. Saw some deer and just a couple people.
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hi
 
Dec 22 2022
avatar

 Routes 268
 Photos 2,969
 Triplogs 541

66 male
 Joined Aug 16 2009
 Mesa,AZ
Firewater Trail #325Prescott, AZ
Firewater Trail #325
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 22 2022
hikerdw • Triplogs 541
Hiking4.66 Miles 567 AEG
Hiking4.66 Miles   1 Hour   41 Mns   2.80 mph
567 ft AEG      1 Min Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Pine Lakes Trail #316
West Trail #318
Willow Creek Trail #704
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We made a trip to Prescott so decided to check out some of the north Thumb Butte trails. The lasso loop we hiked on this day could not have been ordered any more perfect, weather in the mid 50’s, snow packed trails, and a running creek.

We hiked Pine Lakes, West Trail, Firewater Trail, and Willow Creek, with a return back on Pine Lakes. Started at 3ish and finished close to 4:45.

I suspect these trails see a lot of mountain bikers so if your looking to hike this trail system when usage is light, winter is your time.
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Expect to self rescue
 
Sep 05 2021
avatar

 Guides 107
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,067
 Triplogs 514

male
 Joined Nov 18 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Garden Party #324Prescott, AZ
Garden Party #324
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 05 2021
nonot • Triplogs 514
Hiking6.00 Miles 640 AEG
Hiking6.00 Miles
640 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Garden Grove Trail #392
Javelina Trail #332
Firewater Trail #325
West Trail #318
Partners none no partners
As the weather was getting hot, tried to get a quick hike in before it reached broil. Finished with temps hitting 85 degrees and it wasn't even noon yet.

The Willow creek riparian zone is by far the most beautiful section of the Thumb Butte area in my opinion.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Moderate

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Fireplace Spring Gallon + per minute Gallon + per minute
Lots of water in the area

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Willow Creek Heavy flow Heavy flow
Suprisingly substantial flow down Willow creek
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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!
  1 archive
Feb 05 2018
avatar

 Routes 22
 Photos 416
 Triplogs 67

42 male
 Joined Apr 18 2009
 Anthem, AZ
Thumb Butte Trail #33Prescott, AZ
Thumb Butte Trail #33
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 05 2018
Lost • Triplogs 67
Hiking5.58 Miles 811 AEG
Hiking5.58 Miles   2 Hrs   10 Mns   2.91 mph
811 ft AEG      15 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
Linked   6 linked trail guides
Thumb Connect Trail #314
Thumb Butte Bypass Trail #326
Garden Grove Trail #392
Javelina Trail #332
West Trail #318
Pine Lakes Trail #316
Partners none no partners
I never really got into hiking when I lived in Prescott 15 years ago; the Thumb Butte area definitely shows what I missed.

Started up the paved Thumb Butte trail with a cool 40 degrees at the start. Made it to the top in about 30 minutes, which is really good for me :y: The skies were crystal clear with views to Bill Williams and the San Francisco Peaks. After that I just meandered around the various trails making a loop back to the car. This is a great area even if you skip the climb up Thumb Butte. Light traffic on this Monday morning; maybe 4-5 hikers and one mountain biker.

There was a 30 foot or so section of ice covering the paved trail in the upper sections which was slick, but very careful foot placement can get you through it. Otherwise just some small but firm muddy patches here and there along the other trails.
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  3 archives
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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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 27 2011
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 27 2011
MEWhiteman • Triplogs 385
Hiking4.30 Miles 525 AEG
Hiking4.30 Miles   1 Hour   35 Mns   2.72 mph
525 ft AEG
 
Linked   linked  
West Trail #318
Partners none no partners
Did the loop clockwise without the out & back spurs with my neighbor, Sam. Looks like they've been cleaning up a lot of the dead pines on trail #318. It looks a lot neater and will be less of a fire hazard. Ate at the Rock Springs Cafe on the way back to Phoenix.
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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.
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 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Butterfly Weed  Engelmann Prickly Pear  Gooding's Verbena  Parry's Agave
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Water Well
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.66 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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