This shady forest hike is perfect for an Arizona summer. How to hike White Spar trails
In the gullies and hills of the Granite Creek watershed northwest of the Goldwater lakes, a maze of short, interconnected trails offer access to a diverse pocket of Prescott National Forest.
Pine forests, riparian corridors, historic relics and a strangely out-of-place garden of fruit trees contribute to a continual string of eye candy in this central Arizona hike hub.
Collectively known as the White Spar Loop Trails, the shaded single tracks may be explored by way of the White Spar Campground just a couple of miles south of Prescott’s historic Whiskey Row.
Well signed and maintained, the loops are a mashup of newer trails and old standards that also link up with the 50-mile, city-circumnavigating Prescott Circle Trail.
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How to hike the White Spar Loop Trails in Prescott
While there are dozens of ways to use the White Spar Loops to cobble together a day hike or backpack trek, a short circuit using the Goldwater Lake, Banning Creek (the old standards), Apple Blossom and Twist & Shout (new kids on the block) trails is a perfect introduction to the area’s many faces.
From the dirt trailhead parking lot before the campground entrance, the circuit begins with a 1.5-mile walk on Goldwater Lake Trail. This leg climbs easily through stands of ponderosa pine, alligator juniper and oak, passing by the Hidden Valley Trail junction.
The hike hits its highest elevation (5,920 feet) at the 1-mile point, where nice views of iconic Thumb Butte and Granite Mountain peek through coniferous tree cover. The route then begins a gradual, half-mile descent to the course of Banning Creek.
The Banning Creek Trail junction can be a little confusing. Hikers may head left (north) and follow the wide dirt road that traces the creek’s west banks or go right at the “81” sign and slingshot around to get on the east bank trail. Either way, the two options converge less than a half-mile north where the creek crosses the dirt road.
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Historical highlights, plus fruit trees
Adding notes of history to the hike, an old, elevated water pipeline — a relic of early 20th century water supply technology — can be seen following the course of the creek.
Vegetation along this watery leg includes classic riparian species like willows, cottonwoods, boxelder and golden currant shrubs growing in mucky shallows and boulder-bound bends. At the 2.2-mile point, the route heads left onto Apple Blossom Trail among magnificent cottonwoods that stand along a trickling creek crossing. Within a few yards, the trail comes to another junction where it veers right to meet the eponymous apple blossoms.
Several small, spindly fruit trees line the trail, looking sort of lost among towering pines. In spring, creamy flowers scent the air and attract pollinators.
Beyond the blooming trees, the route continues straight ahead and uphill to a somewhat befuddling junction. Now back in pine-oak woodlands, the Apple Blossom Trail passes by a forested subdivision before meeting the Twist & Shout Trail junction for the loop’s final leg.
True to its name, the path winds among oak canopies, making hairpin turns around ravines before rejoining Goldwater Lake trail for the return trip to the trailhead.
Prescott National Forest hike: White Spar Loop trails
Length: 3.7-mile loop.
Rating: Moderate.
Elevation: 5,517-5,920 feet.
Getting there: From Courthouse Square in downtown Prescott, go 2.8 miles south on Montezuma Street (U.S. 89/White Spar Road) and turn left into the White Spar Campground. Trailhead parking is on the right before entering the campground. No fees or facilities.
Details: Prescott National Forest, Bradshaw Ranger District, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/prescott/recreation/recarea/?recid=75171.
Read more of Mare Czinar's hikes at http://arizonahiking.blogspot.com.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Prescott AZ hiking: Try the shady White Spar trails in the forest
