Arizona Backpackers Club (ABC)

Prescott Circle Trail - a 56 mile loop, 6000 AEG, around the city of Prescott. We'll pass our famous granite boulders, many miles of forest, chaparral, grasslands, and Willow, Watson & Goldwater Lakes. We'll also hike to the top of Quartz Mtn, Wolverton Mtn, and Badger Mtn with the Prescott "P" on it. We'll hike for 4 days, about 15 miles a day, spending two nights in paid campgrounds, $30 per person (unless you choose the free, shorter, weekend option, see below).

Weekend hikers can hike Saturday & choose a partial or full day of hiking on Sunday. The weekend option is free. Please answer the question RSVP question with "weekend" and I will move you to the going list.

There are 3 paid campgrounds on the trail. Since they are not equally spaced, we have this:

Friday 4/24 - I will secure one, or more, free, dispersed campsites in the White Spar area. We'll car camp here this evening. No water available.

Day 1 - Saturday 4/25 - start at White Spar Trailhead (pit toilet) at 9am - end at Turley Trailhead - 14 miles, 1220 AEG

• Camping: drive to same dispersed campground as Friday night
• Water found reliably at Goldwater Lake, which has bathrooms & water fountains (you have to cross the lake for the bathrooms, quick detour if filtering lake water). No water for the last 9 miles of the hike.

Day 2: Sunday 4/26 - 9am - Drive back to Turley Trailhead and hike to Watson Lake Campground.

• We'll start with Badger Mtn, with the Prescott "P" on it adds .4 miles and 246 ft gain. There are beautiful views of the whole city from the top.
• 11.8 miles, 1100 AEG
• Water & flush toilets at Peavine Trailhead, 8 miles in.
• This is the most urban part of the hike. 1/2 mile off the trail there is a Walmart & Panera.
• Watson Lake Campground has showers!! This is a paid site.
  -We'll pass several trailheads in case you don't want to hike the full day.

Day 3: Monday - 4/27 - 9am - Hike to Yavapai Campground

• 14.6 miles, 1160 AEG to the campground
• 16.3 miles to Iron Springs Trailhead. We'll have a car at Iron Springs TH and you can choose to hike 2 miles past the campground & drive back there. This will make the last day more like 17 miles.
• Water found at Willow Lake, the dog park after Willow Lake, and the baseball fields at Pioneer Park (5 miles in). No water for the second half of the hike.

Day 4: Tuesday - 4/28 - 8am Hike from Yavapai Campground (18.7 miles, 1900 AEG), or Iron Springs Trailhead (16.7 miles) to White Spar Campground.

• No water until unreliable water 9 miles in, we can stash some.
• This day includes short detours to Wolverton & Quartz Mtns.

The cost for Sunday & Monday nights is $30. Refunds available if someone takes your spot after you cancel. Once payment is received, you'll be moved to the going list. You must pay to be moved off the waitlist for the if you are hiking the full trail.

City Prescott Circle Trail Map
https://prescott-az.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PrescottCircleTrail_Map.pdf

Link to Alltrails map
Prescott Circle Trail on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/prescott-circle-trail?sh=0qx6wj&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

Prescott weather
At the end of April there will be 13 hours and 20 minutes of daylight per day. The daytime temperature will be about 70 with nights about 40.
7-Day Forecast 34.57N 112.49W

Fires
Probably, as long as there are no restrictions

Dogs
Friendly dogs are welcome. We will be in populated areas where there are leash laws. You choose what is best for you and your dog.

Disclaimer:
WAIVER, RELEASE, AND ASSUMPTION OF RISKS
All hikers show up at your own risk.
Neither this group nor myself take any responsibility for any health risks that might happen during this event. When you RSVP you are accepting these terms upon yourself. By attending any group hike you agree to the following:
I hereby waive, release, and discharge the Meetup Group and its Administrators, moderators, volunteers, organizers, sponsors, members, and participants from any and all claims for personal injury, property damage, or death resulting from my participation in any of this group's events. I acknowledge that hiking can be a high-risk sport. I realize there are certain dangers inherent in hiking, and I assume these risks with the full understanding that injuries may result from my participation in any event. I intend this release to discharge the above named from any and all liability arising from or connected in any way with my participation in any event, even though that liability may result from the negligence or carelessness of the above named. I certify that I am in good physical condition, and that I am able to participate in the event.
I have read this waiver and release and fully understand its terms and agree that it shall be binding on my heirs and assigns. I consent to emergency transportation and care at my own expense if I become injured or ill. My RSVP and/or participating in this event is my signature on this waiver.

----- Rescheduled from mid April -----
Rolling hills of juniper and pinyon interspersed with granite outcrops characterize this small, remote and relatively rugged wilderness. Established in 1984, the 5,628 acre wilderness features three natural springs and several important riparian areas including Apache Creek. Elevations range from 5,200 to 6,900 feet and the area provides excellent habitat for mountain lion and numerous bird species.
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/prescott/recarea/?recid=75183

Overview:
Distance: ~12 miles (clockwise loop)
AEG: ~1,100 feet aeg
Difficulty: Challenging beginner - Intermediate (mainly due to the distance on day 1)
Dogs: Yes
Kids: No
Water: At camp Saturday night. Probably along the way 3 to 4 miles in.

We will expand on the loop described in the link above and we will continue South along Graver Wash Road (95A) all the way until it intersects with 9905. This will take us inside the Apache Creek Wilderness boundary.

I like the idea of doing car camps the night before the hike instead of meeting in the morning so that's how I'm setting this up. You always have the option of meeting us at the trailhead by 8:00 am Saturday.
I set the meeting spot in Prescott but I'll help organize a carpool/convoy from the Valley.

Water Crossings:
Yes, there will be at least 1 knee deep crossing towards end of day 1 right before we get to camp. Be prepared.

Details:
Friday, May 1st: Meet at the Walmart in Prescott and carpool to the car camp location. You can always meet us at the car camp location (details in comments) anytime before 8am Saturday.

Saturday, May 2nd: 8 am we will start the hike. We will go about 9 ish miles. For beginners this might seem like a lot, but remember, we have all day to do it. We'll be taking frequent breaks and enjoying the scenery.

Sunday, May 3rd 9:00 am ish we'll finish the loop. I expect us to be back at the TH by 11 am.

We'll stop for team lunch at Lindo Mexico (conveniently in the same parking lot as the Walmart).

Disclaimer:
The planned hike is listed above, but the group's ability takes precedence. If I think someone may not make it for whatever reason (injury, out of shape, solar flares, etc...) I'll change the plan and do my best to tailor the trip to the groups wants and capabilities.
I will not leave you stranded in the middle of the trail as long as you follow directions. Also life is dangerous. It ends in death 100% of the time. You have some influence over how quickly that end comes.

Fee:
We're taking $2 donations to help fund the meetup costs.

Writeups/Maps/GPX:
9904: https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=17065
9905: https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=17085

Directions to the Trailhead (last 5ish miles NOT car friendly):
From the intersection of SR89 and SR89A just north of Prescott, travel west on Pioneer Parkway 4.5 miles to its end. Turn right onto Williamson Valley Road and travel 33.5 miles. Shortly after crossing a historic truss bridge (built in 1913 and relocated from Calva, AZ) turn left onto Walnut Creek Road (County Road 125). Travel 1.8 miles and turn left onto FR95. Travel for 1.3 miles, crossing the creek and climbing a hill out of the Walnut Creek valley and turn right onto FR95A. From here you may drive 1.5 miles to the marked trailhead.

Gear (recommended):
- Water for the entire day (this means 4 Liters/Quarts for someone weighing 100 - 200 lbs, you weigh more, ring more water) and some way to treat/filter water.
- First aid kit.
- Backpack... duh.
- Sleeping bag, Tent, hammock.
- Clothing: I recommend one set of hiking and one set of sleeping clothes.
- Small dish towel. This comes in very handy.
- Toiletries (toothbrush, paste, deo and quick dissolving toilet paper).
- Headlamp.
- Utensils for the food.
- Food: you must feed yourself.

Gear (optional):
- Trekking poles.
- Stove. I have one that anyone can borrow if you want to cook something.
- I'm bringing a little fold out grill to cook on over the fire. You can bring another if you want.
- Tweezers (should be part of your first aid kit, but just in case it isn't).
- Entertainment... whatever floats your boat.
- Camp shoes (flip flops or some other loose fitting light shoe). This will feel nice on your feet after an all day hike.
- Chair.

This trip is car camping with multiple day-hikes using full backpacking gear loadouts. We are trying to duplicate a day on the SF2T route.

Friday: Drive up in the morning. Yo-yo Kendrick Peak with full gear, car camp nearby off forest road North of the Trailhead (perhaps near Bald Hill Tank). ~9 Mile day.

Saturday: start early, Yo-yo Kendrick again with full gear , take a long lunch, do it again, move back to our basecamp (if it hasn't been taken) ~18 mile day.

Sunday: start early, Yo-yo Kendrick again with full gear, take lunch (if you want) Head home. ~9 Mile day.

You have to do one of these two qualifiers to have an opportunity to be in the group with does SF2T with me. You don't have to do Friday if you can't get there in time, but then you must do Sunday.

The trip provides us the chance to determine can we:

1. Do the miles and elevation without issue?
2. Do we get along? (especially when you have to embrace the suck)

As well as talk about:

1. Is this really something you want to do?
2. Trip logistics (driving in, parking, the route, resupply, etc.)

There are others planning the same trip (SF2T) and they may have different requirements. I've done enough long logistic trips with groups to make sure everyone is on the same page and we have the highest chance of having a great trip.