Ranch Trail #62 Extension PCT • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Seven Mile Gulch Trail #9854

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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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Aug 24 2023

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Prescott Lakes Tour, AZ

Hiking		Aug 24 2023
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	19.71 Miles	2,941 AEG

Hiking	19.71 Miles	8 Hrs 26 Mns	2.59 mph
	2,941 ft AEG	49 Mns Break

Linked

7 linked trail guides

Lynx Recreation Trail #311 - Lake Loop

Watershed Trail #299

Smith Ravine Trail #297

Homestead Trail #305

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The_Eagle

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

I hooked up with the fine line between hobbyist and mental illness for one of my favorite Preskit loops.

Seven Mile Gulch Trail #9854
This is a fabulously steep motorcycle trail that oughta scare away rose garden thieves.

The tread seemed less rutted with fewer ankle-buster rocks. I suggested a tractor with a grading blade had passed over since our last visit. Bruce kicked me in the groin and called me a few names, so I picked up the pace and made his sweat sweat. The breezeless humid atmosphere had sweat trickling off my elbows.

We hiked up 2.3mi to #62. The balance 0.8mi of this trail gains a lousy 142ft to #299. We get to the same spot in 5.3mi looping down through la la land.

Ranch Trail #62
The original 2.75mi NE segment is primarily chaparral. Our loop includes the view-rific western 4.2mi created around 2013 for the PCT(Circle Trail). There are a few stellar views out of the mountains looking through therapeutic pines.

Upon reaching the Senator Hwy, we mutually agreed to omit the 2-mi out-n-back to Goldwater Lake. Bruce is pushing 70 so I pretended to be tired.

Watershed Trail #299
This is the second of the two big ascents on our loop. It has more ankle-buster rocks and a few ruts. While it wasn't as bad in that regard as I recall, it still packs a good punch of undesirable. After ascending 1.75mi/600ft you think it's over. The balance 1.75-mi is a mental and physical rollercoaster.

That said, there are good stretches through the pines, and the payoff is #297. We utilize Spruce Mountain Road through a mtn community of cabins, passing an ore cart from Midnight Test Mine en route to #297.

Smith Ravine Trail #297
This trail has changing views through steep grades. Springs are passed along the way through a large stretch of pines. There is little not to like considering we descend it and reap the rewards.

Homestead Trail #305
Like the AZT, this trail zigzags all over the place in support of gentle backpacking. It's a nice trail with pines galore, just drags on with anticipation of the grand finale.

Lynx Recreation Trail #311 - Lake Loop
It's paved, stay away. I love it.

Synopsis
This loop will offer little joy for those seeking moderate. Albeit a breezeless sweat-fest on this day, it's a great loop with varied terrain and views for the untimid. Need more twenty-mile hikes, this one always delivers. Bruce has been babysitting a 2-year-old so I did my best to keep him sharp as a tack.

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- joe

Jul 18 2020

Nightstalker

Routes 189
Photos 7,236
Triplogs 1,740

57 male

Joined Apr 25 2011
Goodyear, AZ

Goldwater Lakes Trail #396

Goldwater Lakes Trail #396

Prescott, AZ

Mtn Biking		Jul 18 2020
		Nightstalker • Triplogs 1,740

Mtn Biking	16.10 Miles	1,901 AEG

Mtn Biking	16.10 Miles	4 Hrs 3 Mns		5.78 mph
	1,901 ft AEG	1 Hour 16 Mns Break	13 LBS Pack

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Twist & Shout Trail #372

Goldwater Loop Trail

Watershed Trail #299

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SCA

Went up to Prescott to be the Phoenix heat. Did a great loop around Goldwater Lakes and then did a second loop up Ranch and down Watershed. Lots of hikers around the lake. Saw some other mountain bikers and a group of horseback riders.

Deer Lick Spring

Dry

Lower Goldwater Lake

76-100% full

Upper Goldwater Lake

76-100% full

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1 archive

Jul 22 2018

cw50must

Guides 11
Routes 2
Photos 3,776
Triplogs 334

48 male

Joined Jun 09 2009
Mesa, AZ

Prescott, AZ

Mtn Biking		Jul 22 2018
		cw50must • Triplogs 334

Mtn Biking	16.00 Miles	1,773 AEG

Mtn Biking	16.00 Miles
	1,773 ft AEG

no routes

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Went with some friends to Prescott for a Mountain Biking ride to escape the heat. First time on the trail and it is pretty good for biking. The first 3 or so miles are all climbing which is not my favorite thing, but once up on the mountain its pretty sweet. Then you have that great payoff on the way back. My friends dropped down and did a loop around Goldwater lake, I however doubled back to the trail head on Walker road.

Something I'll add is the trail goes from the trail head on Walker road over to Senator Highway. Its 9.5 miles one way. I think the original trail description is a bit dated as it shows 3.5 one way. I think that is only up to the intersection with Boy Scout trail or perhaps Badger Mountain.

Video: [ youtube video ]

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May 19 2018

mt98dew

Guides 69
Routes 37
Photos 3,010
Triplogs 2,387

55 male

Joined Oct 24 2010
Phoenix,Az

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		May 19 2018
		mt98dew • Triplogs 2,387

Hiking	18.40 Miles	652 AEG

Hiking	18.40 Miles	6 Hrs 2 Mns	3.05 mph
	652 ft AEG

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This hike ended up being the second part of my "daily double", though once again it was not the trail I had planned for. I got to the TH, off Walker Rd (second attempt) to happily find that the gate was open and the trails accessible. My initial plan was to do an in and out Incorporating the Boyscout Trail, but that ended up changing as I went. I got on the Ranch Trail around 8 am and though it took me a bit, I realized shortly that this trail had undergone a MAJOR rerouting, making this trail do much nicer!! This was my third time using the Ranch Trail and I remember it being an erosion nightmare, being more of a downhill waterway, than an uphill trail. Now the climb was verryyy gradual...ideal for bikers and runners. This is still a fairly exposed trail, the trees don't kick in until the higher elevations. I was so entranced with the trail that by the time I got to the Boy Scout Trail I decided to finish up the Ranch Trail just to see the changes from the previous visit. My plan was to go to where the Ranch connects to the Gulch, (the sign at the Boy Scout said that the Gulch was only .5 miles away. I knew with the rerouted it might be a little bit more but....) come back do the Boy Scout and then head home. Anyway, I continued to follow the new trail as it did some minor switchbacks, crossing the old trail 3-4 times as it made its climb. I reached a spot where there was a trail post (no sign). I recognized this as being part of the old Ranch Trail, but I continued on thinking that the new Ranch Trail would eventually switchback into the Gulch at a later point. About 1 mile later I realized that wasn't going happen and that I was on the Ranch Trail Extension. I hadn't read about the Extension in awhile so I couldn't remember the mileage I was facing, but I was hoping for some signage to clue me in. No luck. It turns out, it is a little over 9.5 miles one way. The nice things about the Extension: the trail is nicely designed, easy to follow, offers some great views as you twist and turn your way down the backside of....and it is nicely shaded in the upper region. A couple of the bad things: no or outdated signage and the bikers. They have signs at the beginning of the TH warning of excessive speeds and how there have been some major accidents in the past and I could see that happening very easily. I got passed 30+ plus times while I was out there and very seldomly did I know that they were there until they were THERE. This is a single track trail (which I love) and the foliage and the incline of the hills allow for little passing room. The bikers were all very polite, but I still felt like I needed eyes in the back of my head. I opted out of the Boy Scout Trail, deciding that I would enjoy more at some later time.

Some updated distances: it is now about 4.4 miles to the Boy Scout Trail from the Ranch TH and it is now about 1 mile from the Boy Scout to the unsigned Gulch connector trail.

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Sep 16 2017

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Prescott Circle Trail - Act 1, AZ

Hiking		Sep 16 2017
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	17.70 Miles	2,999 AEG

Hiking	17.70 Miles	7 Hrs 52 Mns		2.64 mph
	2,999 ft AEG	1 Hour 9 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

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6 linked trail guides

Turley Trail

Boy Scout Trail #126

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The_Eagle

Tortoise_Hiker

Sundog Trail
Pleasant on a nice day. Smooth tread for easy mountain biking. No shade. Out of town. Nice amber fields of waving grass.

Badger Mountain Trail
Same as Sundog except you know urban development is near. A notch better in my book winding through hillier mountains.

Turley Trail
Same as previous with a tad more aeg, aka getting better.

Boy Scout Trail #126
All bets hold from above and 732 aeg is making non-golf lover hikers smile.

Ranch Trail #62
Under a half mile on #62. Looks like we got a better track than previously posted to share.

Ranch Trail #62 Extension PCT
Best of day. Most pine shade. Lots of twists and turns meant changing views.

Synopsis
Like most AZT segments I enjoyed this introductory shuttle more than anticipated. We only crossed paths with a few mountain bikers and five hikers. Perfect upper 70's weather with a hint of a breeze. Thx to @MEWhiteman for helpful posts over the years so Bruce could piece our 3 Act play together. Prescott has put forth a valiant effort on the PCT. Hopefully we can get [ Prescott Circle Trail :: map ] squared away because the city website is atrocious.

I held good with my half fanny pack / half one shoulder Camelbak setup.

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- joe

Sep 16 2017

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,760

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Prescott Circle Trail - Act 1, AZ

Hiking		Sep 16 2017
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,760

Hiking	17.71 Miles	2,926 AEG

Hiking	17.71 Miles	7 Hrs 52 Mns		2.55 mph
	2,926 ft AEG	56 Mns Break	14 LBS Pack

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6 linked trail guides

Turley Trail

Boy Scout Trail #126

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joebartels

Tortoise_Hiker

This one has been in the works since @MEwhiteman put it on my radar back in 2014. I've done numerous segments of the loop, but wanted to do the whole thing in segments.

Since we were dayhiking/slackpacking this, it needed to be broken up into semi equal segments based on parking availability.

After Denny and Joe decided which of the 3 segments they wanted to do first (on the drive up), we were off like a herd of Tortoises.

After dropping off my truck at the end of the segment on the south end, we were greeted with cool air at the Peavine TH on the SE end of Watson Lake.

Going clockwise, Sundog Trail gets you from the Peavine lot to Rt69. It's a hike through gentle rolling grassy hills reminiscent of AZT 5 in southern Arizona. With the early morning light, this was pretty.

Badger Mountain Trail transitions from the grasses, to scrub, to some conifer on its way to the Turley Trail. We saw our 2nd set of deer here bounding in front of us.

The Turley Trail starts a bit more climb before it abruptly ends at the forest boundary. There is an area with what appears to be an old ranch in a clearing prior to the end.

The Boy Scout Tail #126 is a nice little trail that follows in a bit of a canyon area. Denny had us lost on portions of this impossible to get lost trail.

The Ranch Trail #62 and the Ranch Trail #62 Extension take this hike home. I've been on these a couple of times before. Tall Pines and great views of Granite Mountain and Goldwater Lakes.

Perfect weather and great company. Thanks gentlemen. a couple more to do..

A roll over accident on the way up in the morning and a brush fire south of Sunset Point on the way home, kept the I-17 interesting.

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

Sep 16 2017

Tortoise_Hiker

Guides 1
Routes 148
Photos 9,924
Triplogs 3,652

63 male

Joined Apr 02 2005
Mesa, AZ

Prescott Circle Trail - Act 1, AZ

Hiking		Sep 16 2017
		Tortoise_Hiker • Triplogs 3,652

Hiking	17.71 Miles	2,926 AEG

Hiking	17.71 Miles	7 Hrs 52 Mns	2.55 mph
	2,926 ft AEG	56 Mns Break

no routes

Linked

6 linked trail guides

Turley Trail

Boy Scout Trail #126

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joebartels

The_Eagle

Ahhh, just like old times. Setting up shuttles like when we did the AZT. We will only need three for this trail, though. Good to get out with the boys. Good variety of terrain. Temps good. We saw nine deer, a few Mountain bikers, and 5 hikers. A nice first outing on the PCT

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Tortoise Hiking. Stop and smell the Petrichor.

Oct 13 2014

kingsnake

Guides 116
Routes 337
Photos 11,399
Triplogs 894

63 male

Joined Dec 20 2010
Sunnyslope, PHX

Prescott, AZ

Hiking		Oct 13 2014
		kingsnake • Triplogs 894

Hiking	8.04 Miles	1,335 AEG

Hiking	8.04 Miles	3 Hrs 8 Mns	2.57 mph
	1,335 ft AEG

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[ checklist ] Checkered White Butterfly Striped Oak Apple Gall Wasp

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Been sick, or travelling, for the past month. Have gotten a few miles, but no AEG, and no elevation, to speak of. Had meant to do this hike last week ... but got sick. (Again.) :roll:

Finally got out today, and a beautiful day it was! :y:

Hiked the entirety of Ranch Trail #62 from Walker Rd. west to Upper Goldwater Lake. Doing it that direction, meant a decent climb, near the start, rather than a descent at the end, as Walker Rd. is about 400 feet lower than Senator Hwy.

The first mile was a slow climb towards the housing area. After crossing the only wash of the hike, the trail climbs about 800 feet in 1.5 miles to just above Bellows Springs. The area is brushy, without much shade. Beside hiking west giving the trail more AEG, it also means that you do the most exposed parts in the coolest part of the day. It's not the hike's high point, but all your climbing is done. (The actual high point is another mile on, on the saddle northwest of Hill 6616.)

Just past the climb, you turn west into a stand of pine trees. Between the trees, and being on the north slope of the hills, there is lots of shade. It's a really pleasant walk. (I see where some folks only gave the hike two stars, but I really enjoyed it.)

The flowers were scattered, but there was a very large variety, and they were quite colorful.

There's a dirt lot on Senator Hwy. at the end of Trail #62, but I continued west on Trail #396 to the south end of the Goldwater parking area, where I met my wife. I had not been there before, but it is a very nice park, with great facilities. Well worth the $2 parking fee.

Traditional post-Prescott hike lunch at the T-Bird Cafe in Peeples Valley. Since I finished the hike so quick, we had time to do some antiquing in Yarnell as well.

I counted 12 cops on the loop up I-17, 69, 89, 93, Carefree Hwy, and back on 17 home. It was surprising, since most people worked yesterday ...

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Video : http://youtu.be/nCcnrPaJdtA

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Canada Goldenrod Four O'Clock Manzanita

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cactuscat Pose Cag Shot HAZ Food Humor Memorial

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Granite Dells Granite Mountain Lower Goldwater Dam Lower Goldwater Lake Mount Francis Upper Goldwater Lake Upper Lake Goldwater Dam

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Moon

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http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored.

1 archive

Jun 28 2014

MEWhiteman

Guides 47
Routes 96
Photos 850
Triplogs 385

81 male

Joined Dec 24 2005
Phoenix, AZ