Prescott truly “gets it” that visitors are coming to the town for recreation in a variety of outdoor activities to include hiking, fishing, cycling, horseback riding, climbing, and OHV. The city has gone so far as to publish a high quality, color, waterproof map of all major trails and forest roads and has a dedicated “trail specialist” on the city’s staff. Your first task should be to pick up one of these overview maps available at all bike shops ($1) and check out the city’s website for more detailed maps (http://www.cityofprescott.net/services/parks/trails/).
On the northwest side of town are major rock formations of Thumb Butte and Granite Mountain. While each area has miles of singletrack loops immediately surrounding them, connecting the two is all-day experience. Warming up on a Thumb Butte loop, you get a glimpse of the rock.
And then back into the forest
How Fireplace Springs got it’s name
And more forest
Out of the woods, the surrounding terrain reveals itself
Where we came from,
And where we’re heading.
I
The singletrack never gets old.
It just keeps going,
And going,
And going.
Granite Mountain is designated wilderness, but there are plenty of surrounding trails to keep you smiling.
Then it’s back to where we started.
With one last view of our goal,
It feels good to reach the end and know that good food and beer is waiting at Prescott Brewing Company.
Head west on Gurley St. to Thumb Butte trailhead. Although the Forest Service charges a $2 daily fee at a self-check kiosk, the facilities are excellent and is manned by a resident care taker. A valid America the Beautiful pass is also accepted and just needs to be visibly displayed in dash. Just be mindful how late your outing runs, as gates close at 7pm or you will be towed.
Even with some 250 miles of claimed trails, Prescott hasn’t rested on it success. A local shop mentioned efforts are underway to connect even more places around the city. Locals have been working with the Forest Service to construct additional singletrack to bypass sections of forest roads. With the annual 50-mile Whiskey Off-road MTB route and another 50-mile Prescott Circle trail nearing completion, you’ve come to the right destination for all day x-c rides.
Thumb Butte-Granite Basin
Distance: 31.5 mi
Acesent/Descent: 3,792’
Start/End Elevation: 5,627’
Highest Elevation: 7,614’
Lowest Elevation: 7,614’
