Ellevated Hike - Backpacking the Prescott Circle Trail

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. This is a 4 day, 3 night trip, with about 15 miles a day, on very well maintained trails.

56 mile loop that we'll hike counterclockwise, 6000 AEG, spread fairly evenly over the four days.

Start: segment 10 - trailhead parking lot near the intersection of Willow Lake Rd and Britini Dr.

Day 1 Sunday 7:30am 11/16

• We'll have a car at the Iron Springs trailhead and camp near there.

Day 2 Monday 11/17

• We'll hike to the top of Quartz Mtn, it only adds a mile and a few hundred feet of elevation.

• We'll have a car at Aspen Creek Trailhead, but camp at least 4.4 miles past it, past the Quartz Mtn summit. The summit itself is very rocky & not spacious.

Day 3 Tuesday 11/18

• We'll start this day with Wolverton Mtn

• We'll have a car at the Watershed trailhead, but continue about 7 miles past it.

Day 4: Wednesday 11/19

• We'll go up Badger Mtn, with the Prescott "P" on. There are beautiful views of the whole city from the top.

• We'll finish the loop and go back to the cars near Willow Lake.

• They are changing the parking lots for segments 11 & 1. Right now, there is a 1.5 mile gap where we walk on the street to get to the segment 1 parking lot. The new parking lot is being built, and may be done by November. Elle will stay on top of this. It will only be a minor change for us.

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
In November, there will be 10 hours and 20 minutes of daylight per day. The daytime temperature will be about 60, with nights about 30.

7-Day Forecast 34.57N 112.49W

They offer patches, bumper stickers or bolo ties along with a certificate of completion. Adding your name here helps with funding for the trail. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfihMAkaz4-QLPkWsZfnZRM6SUCIlRRTaX8wRLcI-ZMFiZhUQ/viewform

Fires
We currently have fire restrictions. Since we most likely won't be camping in a designated camping area, fires won't be allowed.

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

We will park cars at different trailheads that we will pass each day (Iron Springs, Aspen Creek & Watershed). You can store water & supplies in the cars to lighten the load. We will pass lakes & creeks, but water levels are very low now, so I will report on that closer to our dates.

If you plan on coming, please leave a comment, or send a message, about when you'll arrive. We'll need to coordinate on leaving supplies in the cars and driving them to the trailheads. You can come up the day before and camp at Elle's house, or she can direct you to dispersed camping. We may have some locals joining us.

Danielle and Elle are co-leading this hike. Elle lives & leads hikes in Prescott. She has day hiked the circle trail & is familiar with the area. Danielle lives in Phoenix and is excited to get back into the Prescott area for a good hike.

This trip is also posted on ABC - Arizona Backpacking Club.

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.