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Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301 - 10 members in 34 triplogs have rated this an average 2.1 ( 1 to 5 best )
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34 triplogs
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Jun 03 2023
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 Guides 25
 Routes 376
 Photos 5,897
 Triplogs 346

40 male
 Joined Mar 01 2018
 Chandler, AZ
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 03 2023
John10sTriplogs 346
Hiking1.09 Miles 124 AEG
Hiking1.09 Miles      30 Mns   2.52 mph
124 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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TboneKathy
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We hiked some of the Lynx Lake-area trails up to Bear Down Mountain earlier in the day, but we cut that short because of threatening weather. But the storms stayed away, so we took advantage of the extra time to check out the Lynx Creek ruin site, knowing that the ruin wasn't very impressive. If we didn't have a National Parks pass with us, we probably wouldn't have bothered making the stop and paying the day use fee.

The sign near the trail says it's 0.75-mile each way, but it was just over a mile roundtrip. There's a lot of fanfare for a short, easy trail to a rundown ruin--multiple benches and signs along the way, then a wooden viewing platform overlooking the ruin, presumably to keep people from walking directly in the ruin itself. But the platform was closed...kind of. It was lazily blocked off with a construction barrier with a sign that said, "Lynx Ruin Observation Desk is (blank space) For Safety Issues". Missing a key word there...

Since the sign didn't technically say it was closed, and it didn't look especially unsafe, I went up to see what the sign said. It was once a 15+ room pueblo, but as expected, it was badly deteriorated, with only vague outlines of walls visible through the grass. The choice of location was interesting--the site wasn't built on a particularly high or steep hill, so it didn't seem like a great spot for a lookout or a defensive position. Random side note: I zoomed in on one of the houses to the northeast, and it appeared to have a giant, silver Batman statue on the patio [ photo ] ...

We looked around the site a little, and I found a lone pot sherd near the trail just below the observation deck, which was more than I expected at a site like this. Overall, it was worth a quick stop as an add-on to other hiking in the area, but it's obviously not high on the list of impressive ruins.
  4 archives
Jun 19 2021
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 Triplogs 11

51 male
 Joined Sep 04 2017
 Phoenix, AZ
Lynx lake loop ruin trail, AZ 
Lynx lake loop ruin trail, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Jun 19 2021
StachemanTriplogs 11
Hiking6.83 Miles 1,155 AEG
Hiking6.83 Miles   5 Hrs   8 Mns   2.38 mph
1,155 ft AEG   2 Hrs   16 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
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Good trail easy to follow. Get to hike around the lake and see many people. Then take the off shoot to the ruin where there are no people. Flat trail not alot of elevation. Just a good distance hike.
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Sep 21 2020
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 Routes 8
 Photos 2,243
 Triplogs 204

38 male
 Joined Mar 07 2009
 Colorado Springs
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 21 2020
ultrazonaTriplogs 204
Hiking1.10 Miles 146 AEG
Hiking1.10 Miles      26 Mns   3.00 mph
146 ft AEG      4 Mns Break
 
no photosets
1st trip
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Not very exciting. But a good kid hike.
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May 16 2020
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 Guides 41
 Routes 1,626
 Photos 14,983
 Triplogs 2,762

69 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Homestead - Lynx - Sevenmile, AZ 
Homestead - Lynx - Sevenmile, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 16 2020
The_EagleTriplogs 2,762
Hiking16.23 Miles 1,645 AEG
Hiking16.23 Miles   6 Hrs   33 Mns   2.67 mph
1,645 ft AEG      28 Mns Break14 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
We got the turtle out of his shell to join us on this one.

First time hiking from the Ranch TH. This is used as a launch point for both hikers, runners, bikers and horseback riders. The Homestead #305 meanders through pines and oaks while crossing a few trickling creeks. We passed just a few bikers and hikers on this stretch.

The south end of Lynx Lake was bustling. We weaved our way though, at safe distances.

The eastern portion of the Lynx Loop #311 is my favorite side. It's a dirt track, with fewer people and great views of the lake.

At the Northshore parking, I split from the group to get in some new trails.

I started on Trail #445, which is neither on HAZ or the Prescott NF website. This drops into the riparian lake runoff into Sevenmile gulch. This is a lush pretty area with few people seen. This ultimately runs into the Highland Trail #442 and the the Gold Pan Trail #444. I went back upstream to explore a bit. This is an area I'd like to check out a bit more

The Lynx Ruin Trail #301 is a simple hike to get to the Ruin area. Don't do this hike for the ruin, it's not impressive in any way. Do this hike for the view from the platform vantage point of the area
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Dragonfly
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Lynx Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full
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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
  3 archives
May 29 2018
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 Guides 1
 Routes 5
 Photos 61
 Triplogs 86

53 male
 Joined Jan 26 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar May 29 2018
capcycloneTriplogs 86
Hiking2.50 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles   1 Hour   10 Mns   2.14 mph
120 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Quick hike to check out the Lynx Ruin Trail. Highlight was seeing a half dozen deer about 20 yards off the trail watch the five of us stroll by. Eventually they got spooked and tore off into the distance. We also hiked a bit on the adjacent trail near the trailhead to add some mileage, but it was getting a bit too warm to enjoy the exploration so we headed back to the AC of the car and headed to Prescott for lunch.
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Aug 08 2017
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 Triplogs 4

56 male
 Joined Mar 15 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 08 2017
wshifter2Triplogs 4
Hiking1.10 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking1.10 Miles      30 Mns   2.64 mph
120 ft AEG      5 Mns Break4 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Jul 16 2016
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 Triplogs 40

56 male
 Joined Jul 29 2016
 Dewey
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 16 2016
clem5123Triplogs 40
Hiking1.10 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking1.10 Miles
120 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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  2 archives
Jan 19 2015
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 Routes 297
 Photos 6,928
 Triplogs 552

49 male
 Joined Dec 30 2007
 Avondale,Az
Lynx Recreation Trail #311 - Lake LoopPrescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 19 2015
StoicTriplogs 552
Hiking4.25 Miles 260 AEG
Hiking4.25 Miles   2 Hrs   30 Mns   1.96 mph
260 ft AEG      20 Mns Break
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
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The kids, dogs and I went up to Prescott for the afternoon. We hiked around Lynx Lake #311 then to Lynx Ruin #301. We then headed to downtown Prescott to eat Pizza and have some Ice Cream.
Weather was perfect.
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Oct 27 2014
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 Guides 117
 Routes 338
 Photos 11,399
 Triplogs 894

63 male
 Joined Dec 20 2010
 Sunnyslope, PHX
Homestead Trail #305Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 27 2014
kingsnakeTriplogs 894
Hiking12.08 Miles 1,444 AEG
Hiking12.08 Miles   4 Hrs   28 Mns   2.70 mph
1,444 ft AEG
 
1st trip
My favorite movies, not necessarily in order, are "Apocalypse Now" (not Redux), "The Godfather", "The Great Race" (with Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, etc.) and "Billy Jack". I still get choked up when Billy rides off at the end, with "One Tin Soldier" playing. :lone:

Hopefully, I haven't told this story before, but when I first moved to Arizona in the Fall of '84, I drove through Prescott. As I drove down the street, I looked around and thought "I've seen this before. But where?" :-k It was Courthouse Square. Eventually, quite some time later, I realized that I had seen it in "Billy Jack", where it is part of many scenes, most famously where Tom Laughlin fights half the town. At that time, I had seen the movie once, 12 years before. Sometime earlier this year, on one of many drives past Courthouse Square to one hike or another, it occured to me to Google "Billy Jack" locations. Turns out Lynx Lake was where the Corvette scene was filmed. Thus, this hike was born. :D

However, Lynx Lake by itself is not long, maybe three miles, so to add enough miles to motivate me to fight Prescott traffic, I tacked on Homestead Trail #305, Hilltop Trail #312 (for the hell of it -- definitely not the miles) and, because my wife has bad feet, Lynx Ruins Trail #301.

Observations ...

The pit toilet at the Trail #62 trailhead is so high class it has not one ... not two ... not three! ... but four air fresheners. :o

Trail #305 is very popular with mountain bikes. The trail surface was covered with tracks the entire seven miles. Yet, I saw not one MTB.

Trail #305 crosses Walker Rd. once, and various Lynx Lake access roads more times than I could count. In fact, you are never more than a few hundred yards from Walker Rd. :roll: It was only in Smith Ravine, or on the east side of Lynx Lake, that I got away from traffic noise. On the bright side, you are also never far from one of many pit toilets.

Lynx Lake, however, is a very popular locals trail. The west half is paved, and has multiple benches. Bikes are not allowed on Trail #311, but there are lots of dog walkers and urban hiker-types.

I lost track of how many spider web strands were across the various trails, including one that was probably 20 feet from tree branch to ground.

Not many flowers, but a surprising amount of fall color, particularly around Lynx Lake (various yellows), and in Smith Ravine (which was turning brown a bit sooner).

To figure out where the "Billy Jack" Corvette scene was filmed, and then stand on that ground, was pretty cool. (And not all wierd like it would have been if I stood in Courthouse square doing the same thing. :D )

-----

Video : http://youtu.be/yxiOTUHQ-s4
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Benjamin Gulch
 Meteorology
 Meteorology [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Autumn - Color Foliage
foliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observationfoliage observation
Autumn Foliage Observation Moderate
Lots of gold, including some that looked like they were spun from the precious metal.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Lynx Lake 76-100% full 76-100% full
Looked good to me. No dry ring above the lake surface. Couple of side creeks trickling in. (In fact, none of the creeks appeared to drain *out* of the lake ...)
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http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored.
  5 archives
Sep 21 2014
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 Guides 69
 Routes 37
 Photos 3,010
 Triplogs 2,387

55 male
 Joined Oct 24 2010
 Phoenix,Az
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 21 2014
mt98dewTriplogs 2,387
Hiking1.06 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking1.06 Miles      35 Mns   1.82 mph
120 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Late morning hike with family. Short in and out trail with ruins at the end. Not much to see as far as ruins go. Doubt if I would have noticed it on my own. 5$ fee to park at TH. Suggest you park at the Homestead TH and hike to the ruins trail (this would add about 3 miles) or use the facilities at Lynx Lake to get the most out of you 5$ bucks.
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Aug 09 2014
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 Guides 71
 Routes 98
 Photos 9,967
 Triplogs 1,009

65 male
 Joined May 14 2003
 Ahwatukee, AZ
Lynx Recreation Trail #311 - Lake LoopPrescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 09 2014
Randal_SchulhauserTriplogs 1,009
Hiking2.00 Miles 20 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles   1 Hour   15 Mns   1.60 mph
20 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
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Checking out the Lake and Ruins after kayaking at Watson Lake. First time visit...
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Feb 28 2014
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 Guides 177
 Routes 249
 Photos 10,213
 Triplogs 2,215

74 male
 Joined Feb 12 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 28 2014
AZLOT69Triplogs 2,215
Hiking4.30 Miles 344 AEG
Hiking4.30 Miles
344 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Plus explore Lynx creek some.
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It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain
 
Sep 12 2013
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 Photos 47
 Triplogs 155

49 male
 Joined Apr 22 2008
 Goodyear
Homestead Trail #305Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 12 2013
asu9165Triplogs 155
Hiking4.10 Miles 400 AEG
Hiking4.10 Miles   1 Hour   10 Mns   3.51 mph
400 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
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Took Trail 305 and hooked up with trail 301(lynx Creek ruins) for a quick out and back. Was originally going to do Mt. Union and Davis but could not find the trailhead. Fairly easy trail that is near Walker road which it crosses about 0.7mi in. Trail is in good condition and easy to follow. I parked on the first trailhead down Walker road.
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Jun 20 2012
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 Triplogs 7

37 male
 Joined Jun 21 2012
 Prescott Valley,
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 20 2012
EverTriplogs 7
Hiking2.50 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles   1 Hour   10 Mns   2.14 mph
120 ft AEG4 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Decided to come back because this is a great and quick hike. Same route at the last time in circling from #444 -> #305 loop -> #442 and back to #444 to finish and go down the hill.
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Jun 16 2012
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 Triplogs 7

37 male
 Joined Jun 21 2012
 Prescott Valley,
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 16 2012
EverTriplogs 7
Hiking2.50 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles   1 Hour   10 Mns   2.14 mph
120 ft AEG4 LBS Pack
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Headed out after doing this trail in the past. Started on Gold Pan Trail #444 and decided to attach to the #446 loop, connected to the Homestead Trail #305 loop and onto the #442 loop until hitting #444 again. Seems much more complicated than it really was now that I am writing it on paper.

Perfect weather. The water is just pools right now with no real flow coming from the dam that overlooks the trail.
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Oct 26 2011
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 Photos 68
 Triplogs 70

female
 Joined Oct 27 2011
 Prescott, AZ
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 26 2011
BOHOHikerTriplogs 70
Hiking1.10 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking1.10 Miles
120 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This is a simple little hike. Dirt trail all the way up with a few bench stops along the way.
Good for family with children or older folk who wish to take a "relaxing hike." The "ruins" are basically just a bunch of piled up stones... There is a walk up deck where there are some pretty views...
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Oct 23 2011
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 Photos 68
 Triplogs 70

female
 Joined Oct 27 2011
 Prescott, AZ
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 23 2011
BOHOHikerTriplogs 70
Hiking1.10 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking1.10 Miles
120 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Sep 25 2010
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 Guides 4
 Photos 2,750
 Triplogs 402

60 male
 Joined Nov 13 2005
 Cave Creek, AZ
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 25 2010
cabelTriplogs 402
Hiking1.10 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking1.10 Miles
120 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Not much to it.
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All who wander are not lost...just me.
 
Apr 17 2010
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 Guides 9
 Routes 98
 Triplogs 284

44 male
 Joined Feb 17 2010
 Moscow, RU
Lynx Creek - Salida Gulch - John's Tank LoopPrescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 17 2010
AndreyPTriplogs 284
Hiking8.70 Miles 960 AEG
Hiking8.70 Miles   4 Hrs   5 Mns   2.13 mph
960 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
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Combined several hikes in Lynx Lake recreation area.

Started from Lynx Northshore and made Salida Gulch long loop to the east side of the dam: Trails 445 - 442 - 444 - 9401T - 95 - 94. Salida Gulch Trail #93 no longer exists. Upper part of it has been closed to prevent access to a petroglyph site by trail users, lower part became part of new Salida View Trail #95 which I believe is a full loop trail on the right (east) side of Lynx Creek. Salida Gulch - Long Loop hike is now 5.0 mi long.

From the dam went up along east shore of the lake to the small upper dam, crossed the creek there and returned to Northshore along west shore (Trail 311).

Drove to Lynx Creek Ruin trailhead from where hiked to ruins and back (Trail 301). I really tried to see something from the overlook platform, but found no trace of that ancient pueblo :)
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Nov 14 2009
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 Triplogs 13

55 male
 Joined Dec 06 2009
 Phoenix, AZ
Lynx Creek Ruin Trail #301Prescott, AZ
Prescott, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 14 2009
MrKirkyTriplogs 13
Hiking1.10 Miles 120 AEG
Hiking1.10 Miles   1 Hour      1.10 mph
120 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Looped it into the lakeshore trail.
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average hiking speed 2.21 mph
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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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