Northwest of Flagstaff is a little-known crater lake, surrounded by meadow and aspen groves, hidden inside a small volcanic cinder cone just east of the Kendricks Mountain Wilderness Area. Our...
Long-time Prescott resident, Gail Gardner (1892-1988) wrote a poem call “The Sierry Petes: Tying knots in the Devil’s Tail” that’s performed regularly by many cowboy poets and musicians. We’ll spend a half-day exploring the Sierra Prieta Mountains south of Prescott, the setting for this poem. Our time will include a short hike on West Spruce Mountain Trail, a visit to the spectacular Sierra Prieta overlook,...
The Northern Bradshaw Mountains overlooking Prescott are the highest range in Yavapai County, peaking out near 8,000 feet. We’ll explore south through this region on the old Senator Highway as far as the site of the town of Goodwin, then head east to Mayer and return via Highway 69. Along the way we’ll visit old...
This road trip takes Williamson Valley Road all the way to Seligman with a return via Ash Fork and Highway 89. We’ll visit the areas of many early historic sites, including the town sites of Simmons and Walnut Creek. On the return from Ash Fork we’ll stop at the old Little Hell Canyon stage stop...
Tonto Natural Bridge, under the Mogollon Rim north of Payson, is one of the more unusual features of Arizona. The bridge, somewhat more a huge natural tunnel, is 150 feet wide, nearly 200 feet tall, and 400 feet long. Several trails thread their way through and around the bridge. We’ll hike these trails, somewhat flexible...
Follow Diamond Creek Road as it winds through Peach Springs Canyon – the only road access to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Diamond Creek Road will take us down the canyon to the banks of the Colorado River. Along the way, we will stop to enjoy the views and learn about Hualapai history, cultures, and the geology and the natural history of the canyon. You will enjoy a picnic lunch with an optional walk the last mile to the Colorado...