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Willow Dells Loop - 3 members in 10 triplogs have rated this an average 3 ( 1 to 5 best )
10 triplogs
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Dec 28 2022
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Willow Dells LoopPrescott, AZ
Willow Dells Loop
Prescott, AZ
 Hiking avatar Dec 28 2022
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
 Hiking5.40 Miles 880 AEG
 Hiking5.40 Miles
880 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Wanted to go someplace not too muddy following a night of heavy rain, so I chose the Willow Dells Trails network, which I hadn’t hiked before. I parked at Heritage Park and traveled east, intending to create as long a loop hike as I could. Storm clouds had parted and the sun came out, although it was quite cold. I first went up Apex Trail to an overlook, then clockwise on Canyon over to Lost Wall on the Constellation trail network. Came back the same way, then took Basin and ECOSA trails east. ECOSA was the best section in my opinion, with a couple of bridges, big walls, and a creek section. At the east end of ECOSA I went off trail southward to Willow Lake Dam, rejoining the trail network, and then made my way back using the Red Bridge loops. I think I hiked the entirety of Willow Dells Trails network, or close to it. The trails and the scenery exceeded my expectations and I deem them worthy of future visits.
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
 
Mar 25 2020
avatar

 Triplogs 72

41 female
 Joined Feb 14 2017
 Prescott Valley,
Willow Dells LoopPrescott, AZ
Willow Dells Loop
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 25 2020
sleepybear929 • Triplogs 72
Hiking2.00 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles
120 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
May 28 2016
avatar

 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,762

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Constellation Willow Lake Loop, AZ 
Constellation Willow Lake Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 28 2016
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,762
Hiking9.35 Miles 1,040 AEG
Hiking9.35 Miles   5 Hrs   5 Mns   2.29 mph
1,040 ft AEG   1 Hour    Break14 LBS Pack
 
Linked   11 linked trail guides
Prescott Constellation Trails
Phippen Recon - Constellation
North 40 - Constellation
Rock Wall - Constellation
Ham n Cheese - Constellation
Hole in the Wall - Constellation
Ron James Approach - Prescott
Willow Dells Loop
Willow Lake Loop Trail
Cottonwood Spur - Willow Lake
Willow Creek Reservoir
Partners partners
Ladyeagle
The convocation of Deb and I spent, a portion of the day playin' in the bolder wonderland of The Constellation Trail System and Willow Lake.

I was surprised to still see the Cormorants in the Huge Cottonwood tree, on the Cottonwood Spur trail. I counted at least 8 nests in that tree with 16+. The roosting noises they make are a cross between the oinking of a pig and the noises penguins make. Kind of eerie actually.

There are endless possibilities out here, with the two lakes in close proximity to each other and all the bolder exploring you could do.

It got a little warmer than the forecast high I believe, but the breezes kept it tolerable.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Willow Creek Reservoir 51-75% full 51-75% full
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
 
Apr 16 2016
avatar

 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,762

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Constellation Willow-Watson Loop, AZ 
Constellation Willow-Watson Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Apr 16 2016
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,762
Hiking16.19 Miles 1,756 AEG
Hiking16.19 Miles   7 Hrs   38 Mns   2.54 mph
1,756 ft AEG   1 Hour   15 Mns Break14 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked   17 linked trail guides
Prescott Constellation Trails
Phippen Recon - Constellation
North 40 - Constellation
Lost Wall - Constellation
Ron James Approach - Prescott
Willow Dells Loop
Willow Lake Loop Trail
Dam Trail - Watson Lake
Watson Lake Loop
Over The Hill Trail
Lakeshore Trail - Watson Lake
Northshore Trail - Watson Lake
Flume Trail - Watson Lake
Willow Creek Reservoir
Peavine National Recreation Trail
Rock Wall - Constellation
Cottonwood Spur - Willow Lake
Partners partners
joebartels
rayhuston
Joe through a dart at the Constellation Trail system and said, come up with something. I didn't know anything about this "Little Gem" so I started downloading stuff. There are 11 trails in the Constellation Trail system, totaling less than 5 miles. So that wasn't going to make the drive to Prescott worth it. I'd looped Watson lake before and enjoyed the heck out of it. I'd always wanted to loop Willow Lake also, so it was on.

The Constellation Trail System is a wonderful group of of short trails through a boulder wonderland. Officially it's a self-enclosed system. But as we found on the way back, there is a trail that connects this with the Willow Dells system and Willow Lake. The Ron James Approach Trail does not show to connect on the maps, but it does. There is no signage and it's not obvious though.

All but the east side of Willow Lake looked like just a means to connect the loop, but then we stumbled on the Cottonwood Spur. Some of the biggest Cottonwood stands I've seen. `

Willow Lake Video :next: https://youtube.com ... YbKg
Back on the Jan Alfano Trail and then we jumped over to Watson Lake, to do the loop there.

Watson Lake Video :next: https://youtube.com ... CTBU

The highlight on this loop is the Lakeshore Trail and the Over The Hill Trail, taking you to the Granite Creek Dam.

Granite Creek Dam, Watson Lake Video :next: https://youtube.com ... nVp0
A little road walk got us back over to the Willow Dells Trails.

Once again the hiking was great, except for 1/2 hour bug storm we ran through.

I really enjoyed looping these two Granite infested lakes, and the weather was perfect!

A great time out with the Squad.

On the day....A Gopher snake, Squirrels, Cottontail rabbits, Cormorants, all sorts of Ducks, Bluejays, Blue Herons, A hawk diving out of the sky right in front of us snagging a bird.
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Granite Creek Dam  Granite Dells  Granite Mountain  Watson Lake  Willow Creek Reservoir  Willow Lake Park
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Watson Lake 51-75% full 51-75% full

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

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water less than max Willow Creek Reservoir 51-75% full 51-75% full
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
  1 archive
Oct 07 2015
avatar

 Routes 36
 Photos 2,658
 Triplogs 1,347

67 male
 Joined Jul 28 2004
 Scottsdale, AZ
Watson & Willow, AZ 
Watson & Willow, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Oct 07 2015
mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347
Hiking12.00 Miles 1,100 AEG
Hiking12.00 Miles   5 Hrs   5 Mns   2.53 mph
1,100 ft AEG      20 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   14 linked trail guides
Watson Lake Loop
Northshore Trail - Watson Lake
Dam Trail - Watson Lake
Flume Trail - Watson Lake
Over The Hill Trail
Discovery Trail - Watson Lake
Lakeshore Trail - Watson Lake
Secret Cove - Watson Lake
Tree House Loop - Watson Lake
Peavine National Recreation Trail
Willow Lake Loop Trail
Willow Dells Loop
Embry-Riddle & Jan Alfano Trails - PCT
Willow Creek Reservoir
Partners none no partners
Watson Lake Circle Trail should be renamed “Links (not Lynx) Lake Circle Trail” :lol: :roll:

I did Watson clockwise and Willow counterclockwise. These loops are okay but in both cases the part in the Granite Dells is very cool while the rest is a bit monotonous. I saw very few people on either loop. Weather was great, a bit cool at the beginning but very pleasant later.
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
_____________________
  3 archives
Apr 27 2013
avatar

 Guides 9
 Routes 98
 Triplogs 284

44 male
 Joined Feb 17 2010
 Moscow, RU
Willow Dells LoopPrescott, AZ
Willow Dells Loop
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 27 2013
AndreyP • Triplogs 284
Hiking4.60 Miles 630 AEG
Hiking4.60 Miles   2 Hrs   20 Mns   1.97 mph
630 ft AEG
 
no photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Completed Willow Dells loop with most side trails.
_____________________
 
Mar 17 2013
avatar

 Guides 4
 Routes 51
 Photos 1,545
 Triplogs 348

86 male
 Joined Sep 24 2004
 Phoenix, AZ
Willow Dells LoopPrescott, AZ
Willow Dells Loop
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 17 2013
black_toes • Triplogs 348
Hiking2.51 Miles 17 AEG
Hiking2.51 Miles   2 Hrs   25 Mns   1.88 mph
17 ft AEG   1 Hour   5 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Paid the $2 fee, parked at the western lot on the lake's north end and traversed to the Approach Trail via the Willow Lake Archaeological Site with the fancy ramadas protecting the excavations. My partner, Mary Jo, is a strong hiker but recently developed a knee cartilage tear and we were looking for a fairly level trail and a short jaunt before heading home to Phoenix. At almost 5,200 feet el, it's still winter up here and drab compared to the greenery of the low desert two hours away. Did see a blooming manzanita in the middle of the boulder field. Followed the dots of white paint over the rock and out to a high point that offered a good view of the placid lake but did not do the entire loop. Doubt I'd come back to this trail to boulder hop thru scrub oak. If a flat trail, bird life and touch of beauty are the goals, I much prefer nearby Lake Watson and the Peavine Trail that we took yesterday. Strangely, the archaeological site was closed on a Sunday when you would think visitors would be plentiful.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Whipple Cholla
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Willow Lake Park
_____________________
 
Jul 21 2012
avatar

 Guides 9
 Routes 98
 Triplogs 284

44 male
 Joined Feb 17 2010
 Moscow, RU
Willow Dells LoopPrescott, AZ
Willow Dells Loop
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 21 2012
AndreyP • Triplogs 284
Hiking1.30 Miles 80 AEG
Hiking1.30 Miles   1 Hour      1.30 mph
80 ft AEG
 
no photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Went towards Spillway / Willow Loop with the guy from work, but didn't make it all the way due to limited time. He took lots of photos and I noticed that the lake level is quite low.
_____________________
 
Jun 29 2009
avatar

 Triplogs 1

54 male
 Joined Jun 30 2009
 Phoenix, AZ
Willow Dells LoopPrescott, AZ
Willow Dells Loop
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 29 2009
chadzaneis • Triplogs 1
Hiking2.00 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles      56 Mns   2.14 mph
120 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This is a nice easy hike, but you can certainly make it a little longer and a much tougher workout by taking side hikes and climbing the huge boulders. Id say its a 1-1.5 (out of 5) but with the extra rock climbing you can easily make it a 2-2.5 or more. We probably would have finished in about 40 minutes had we stuck just to the trail (we took the larger loop, there is a shorter option as well which you could probably do in about 25 min). You can get pretty high up on the rock formations and there are gorgeous views of the surrounding area and the lake. The trails are very well marked. Parking is ample. You cannot swim in the lake. There are restrooms (flushers, not porta-pottys). There are rotundas for bbq, etc near the parking lot. The paid parking is on the honor system, but it was only $2 so we were happy to pay it! You can also mountain bike this trail, but no motorized vehicles allowed. Same with the lake. No gas motors. There was 1 kayaker there the day we hiked. No other hikers were seen (Tuesday late morning).
_____________________
 
Nov 21 2008
avatar

 Routes 35
 Photos 136
 Triplogs 70

61 male
 Joined Aug 28 2008
 Prescott, AZ
Willow Dells LoopPrescott, AZ
Willow Dells Loop
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 21 2008
TwoWeims • Triplogs 70
Hiking2.00 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles   1 Hour   8 Mns   1.76 mph
120 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Just checking out a new trail...
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Ladder-backed Woodpecker
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Granite Dells
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.05 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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