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A short hike into Goldwater Lake
(Posting from Prescott Arizona)
Hike Date: Monday, 07/19/10
Location: Senator Highway/Trail Head 396 to Goldwater Lake, 6:30 AM
We had decided that the monsoon action rolling in across the top of Mount Union and heading straight for the Groom Creek area wasn't anything to be real concerned about, so we jumped into the truck and got out there early enough to be able to lay down the first set of tracks. It's nice to be first on a trail because you're more likely to see wildlife before they're spooked...................
When we arrived at the parking lot across Senator Rd from the trail head, I knew we were running on a short clock if we were going to beat the approaching storm. This trail into Goldwater is relatively short and Wicket and I tend to travel it in about 45 minutes round trip most of the time. This allows Wicket to break a few laws at the lake, like swimming (wading) and things of that nature.
Trail 396 is part of the Prescott Circle Trail system and this part gets very heavy use by mountain bikers, some equine, and a good number of hikers. "Back in the day" say as far back as the early seventies and as recently as the late 80's, we used to drive a jeep into the southeast side of Goldwater and cook up some hot-dogs and burgers over a camp fire while throwing a fishing line in for grins. The decision to close off the forest to motorized travel, along with closing down "at large" camping, taking away places to park for free and charging exorbitant parking and use fees has all but taken our public lands from us over the last decade or so. Maybe some day a future generation will regain some of the privileges that have been suspended recently.
The area had been doused real nice with a monsoon from the previous two days, so the air was thick with moisture and the forest colors were vivid. Because there was a storm approaching we were hiking in shadow; a real nice treat in Arizona. The air was fresh, the trail was washed clean of tracks, dust was washed off trees and bushes and the lichen almost neon in shades of yellows, greens, oranges and rust.
Wicket got to give a mule deer a bit of a run on the way in, but since he's matured some, he doesn't chase them into the next county like he used to do. I guess he figured out that a deer can cover some ground a whole lot faster than he can. Then shortly there after we had the pleasure of meeting Michelle (Spelling) and her two trail pooches, Rubin and Missy. They were gracious enough to let me post a picture of them along with Wicket. Thank you Michelle, you're the first to be posted on TrailPooch. It was good meeting the three of you. I hope you beat the rain back to your digs.
They were on their way to the lake so Rubin and Missy (Labradors) could take a quick dip in the water before the monsoon arrived, so they were in a bit of a hurry. Wicket was checking out his new friend when I took the photo. The trio had approached Goldwater Lake on a different trail than we had. If you've not been to Goldwater Lake, you're going to be pleased with this little gem when you finally get out there. No camping, but pinics, fishing, hiking and horse shoe pits are cool; leave your swimming suit at the YMCA.
Blue Heron on a Rock, nice.....
Wicket on a rock, cute...
From the Trail Pooch Team, "Happy Trails"
Noel Z. Jones, Broker
www.RealtyWebNet.Com
Hike Date: Monday, 07/19/10
Location: Senator Highway/Trail Head 396 to Goldwater Lake, 6:30 AM
We had decided that the monsoon action rolling in across the top of Mount Union and heading straight for the Groom Creek area wasn't anything to be real concerned about, so we jumped into the truck and got out there early enough to be able to lay down the first set of tracks. It's nice to be first on a trail because you're more likely to see wildlife before they're spooked...................
When we arrived at the parking lot across Senator Rd from the trail head, I knew we were running on a short clock if we were going to beat the approaching storm. This trail into Goldwater is relatively short and Wicket and I tend to travel it in about 45 minutes round trip most of the time. This allows Wicket to break a few laws at the lake, like swimming (wading) and things of that nature.
Trail 396 is part of the Prescott Circle Trail system and this part gets very heavy use by mountain bikers, some equine, and a good number of hikers. "Back in the day" say as far back as the early seventies and as recently as the late 80's, we used to drive a jeep into the southeast side of Goldwater and cook up some hot-dogs and burgers over a camp fire while throwing a fishing line in for grins. The decision to close off the forest to motorized travel, along with closing down "at large" camping, taking away places to park for free and charging exorbitant parking and use fees has all but taken our public lands from us over the last decade or so. Maybe some day a future generation will regain some of the privileges that have been suspended recently.
The area had been doused real nice with a monsoon from the previous two days, so the air was thick with moisture and the forest colors were vivid. Because there was a storm approaching we were hiking in shadow; a real nice treat in Arizona. The air was fresh, the trail was washed clean of tracks, dust was washed off trees and bushes and the lichen almost neon in shades of yellows, greens, oranges and rust.
Wicket got to give a mule deer a bit of a run on the way in, but since he's matured some, he doesn't chase them into the next county like he used to do. I guess he figured out that a deer can cover some ground a whole lot faster than he can. Then shortly there after we had the pleasure of meeting Michelle (Spelling) and her two trail pooches, Rubin and Missy. They were gracious enough to let me post a picture of them along with Wicket. Thank you Michelle, you're the first to be posted on TrailPooch. It was good meeting the three of you. I hope you beat the rain back to your digs.
They were on their way to the lake so Rubin and Missy (Labradors) could take a quick dip in the water before the monsoon arrived, so they were in a bit of a hurry. Wicket was checking out his new friend when I took the photo. The trio had approached Goldwater Lake on a different trail than we had. If you've not been to Goldwater Lake, you're going to be pleased with this little gem when you finally get out there. No camping, but pinics, fishing, hiking and horse shoe pits are cool; leave your swimming suit at the YMCA.
Blue Heron on a Rock, nice..... Wicket on a rock, cute...From the Trail Pooch Team, "Happy Trails"
Noel Z. Jones, Broker
www.RealtyWebNet.Com
Bean Mountain, Prescott National Forest
Posting from Prescott, Arizona.
Looking toward Prescott from Bean Mountain; Granite Mt. and Thumb Butte in the distance, which sit to the west and northwest of town.
Hike Date: Sunday, 07/18/10
Wicket and I like to get out on at least one long trek per week. On this trek we opted to hike to a rock peak, which I've been informed by another hiker, is named Bean Mountain. It is situated in what is referred to as the Prescott Basin and is the highest point in the interior of the basin with Spruce Mt, Mt. Union, Mt. Tritle, and Maverick Mt. creating a crescent shaped barrier to the east and south of Bean. Be preapred to encounter Mule Deer, Bobcat, Coyotes, Javelina and perhaps Mountain Lion and Black Bear in this area (a word to the wise, keep an eye open for rattle snakes; they tend to be black in the forest and hard to spot). Also, the trail gets extremely steep toward the summit; I'm guessing about a 40-45 degree angle, enough to make me pull my hiking shorts pant legs up high to reduce the drag on my thighs. It's almost like climbing a steep flight of stairs, but without the steps. If you're familiar with Grand Canyon trekking, then you'll understand the grade that I am referring to.
As with many destination points there are many ways of getting there. Wicket and I prefer trails that offer a pool, or two of water along the route so he can do some wading and thirst quenching. Our normal approach to Bean Mt. is from the 396 Trail Head located at the entrance to White Spar Rd (Hwy 89 South) Forest Campground a few miles south of Prescott. But what is normal for Wicket and I is we do tend to mix it up a little on every outing, throwing some bush whacking in along the way which appeals to our inner explorer.
A favorite moment of mine at Bean Mt.: The Choir at Friendly Pines Camp, lying to the southeast of and below Bean, singing the Star Spangled Banner to organ music early in the morning on the 4th of July of this year. It was just one of those stellar moments that kind of chokes you up a little when you realize you're in God's country living the American Dream that many thousands of Americans have died to preserve.
Hey can't you read? No swimming!
(posted from Prescott, Arizona)
Wicket and I went to Forest Trail 396 this morning at about 6:30 AM right after a good hard rain. The Groom Creek area and a good portion of the Bradshaw Mountains received some great monsoon action late yesterday, which made for a very damp, cool and beautiful hike into Goldwater Lake and close by surrounding area.
We were the only Hiking Team on that end of the trail this morning, although there was one set of mountain bike tire tracks laid down before we arrived. No doubt whoever that mountain biker was really enjoyed the solitude the same as Wicket and I did.
We picked up the 396 trail head at Senator Highway and hoofed it into the southern side of the lake where we connected with an old road that cuts south up a hill and ties into the School House Gulch Road. We hiked along School House for about a 1/4 of a mile and bushwhacked over to the 396 where we could enter the lake from the southwest. Normally we just stay on the 396 and jump into the park from the southwest side of the pond, circle back along the south shoreline of Goldwater and hook back up with the 396 in one of three, or four short trails that lead out of the southeast side of the lake. However, on this hike Wicket had read my mind well in advance. When I arrived at the junction of 396 and the old road which ties into School House Gulch, he was standing a few yards up the hill waiting for me. Sometimes that Trail Pooch sure amazes me. I think he's the best in all categories for trail trekking with a dog. Of course I'm a little predjudice and he's definitely very spoiled.
I used to hike with two female Dobermans and let me tell you, Duchess, the smaller of the two Dobies, was a bit aggressive toward other dogs, so I never took her anywhere other dogs were likely to be hiking. Oh she was very obedient, but I had to keep a close eye on her at all times. So, really Duchess is the reason I hiked the most remote trails in the area for 12 plus years and did a lot of "bushwhacking" along the way. I'll say a couple more things about those Dobies; they were 100% all out hiking dogs that went the distance on many a 9-12 mile hike. They literally ran circles around me; so when I did 10 miles they did 20 plus. They were unbelievable in the stamina department.
Now that Wicket and I have teamed up I'm able to hike the more well traveled trails. It's amazing just how many nice hikers and pups we meet along the way! You see Wicket has been hiking since he was four months old and has learned, what I call, some basic trail lingo; like, "off trail", "stay close", "wait up" and "you're too far ahead"; and he responds to four or five whistle styles. He has also learned to wait for me to put him on leash when another hiker, biker, horse rider, or pooch is approaching from either direction. When you have a pup that has learned basic trail etiquette, then you've got a Trail Pooch you can hike with while being on what I call, "voice leash". Still you have to realize that there are leash laws in place, even in the woods and there are those among us who don't have an ounce of friendly in'em when it comes to pups of any kind.
Wicket and I will respect your right to pass on either side of us and in either direction, from in front, or from behind. He is a socializer, so don't be surprised if he just has to show you some trail wiggling in his appreciation of you as a fellow hiker.
Wicket doesn't read yet, so he has a difficult time paying attention to all the new signs posted along the southern end of Goldwater Lake about "No Swimming". Besides, he's not a swimmer, he's a wader! so those signs can't apply to him. He does like cooling off to a point, but an all out swim is going way to far!
Well fellow hikers and trail pooches, from the Trail Pooch team; "Happy Trails".
"Live Free, Live Wild"
Wicket, Trail Pooch Boss &
the Shadow Cameraman
Noel Z. Jones, Broker
RealtyWebNet.Com
Prescott, AZ
Wicket and I went to Forest Trail 396 this morning at about 6:30 AM right after a good hard rain. The Groom Creek area and a good portion of the Bradshaw Mountains received some great monsoon action late yesterday, which made for a very damp, cool and beautiful hike into Goldwater Lake and close by surrounding area.
We were the only Hiking Team on that end of the trail this morning, although there was one set of mountain bike tire tracks laid down before we arrived. No doubt whoever that mountain biker was really enjoyed the solitude the same as Wicket and I did.
We picked up the 396 trail head at Senator Highway and hoofed it into the southern side of the lake where we connected with an old road that cuts south up a hill and ties into the School House Gulch Road. We hiked along School House for about a 1/4 of a mile and bushwhacked over to the 396 where we could enter the lake from the southwest. Normally we just stay on the 396 and jump into the park from the southwest side of the pond, circle back along the south shoreline of Goldwater and hook back up with the 396 in one of three, or four short trails that lead out of the southeast side of the lake. However, on this hike Wicket had read my mind well in advance. When I arrived at the junction of 396 and the old road which ties into School House Gulch, he was standing a few yards up the hill waiting for me. Sometimes that Trail Pooch sure amazes me. I think he's the best in all categories for trail trekking with a dog. Of course I'm a little predjudice and he's definitely very spoiled.
I used to hike with two female Dobermans and let me tell you, Duchess, the smaller of the two Dobies, was a bit aggressive toward other dogs, so I never took her anywhere other dogs were likely to be hiking. Oh she was very obedient, but I had to keep a close eye on her at all times. So, really Duchess is the reason I hiked the most remote trails in the area for 12 plus years and did a lot of "bushwhacking" along the way. I'll say a couple more things about those Dobies; they were 100% all out hiking dogs that went the distance on many a 9-12 mile hike. They literally ran circles around me; so when I did 10 miles they did 20 plus. They were unbelievable in the stamina department.
Now that Wicket and I have teamed up I'm able to hike the more well traveled trails. It's amazing just how many nice hikers and pups we meet along the way! You see Wicket has been hiking since he was four months old and has learned, what I call, some basic trail lingo; like, "off trail", "stay close", "wait up" and "you're too far ahead"; and he responds to four or five whistle styles. He has also learned to wait for me to put him on leash when another hiker, biker, horse rider, or pooch is approaching from either direction. When you have a pup that has learned basic trail etiquette, then you've got a Trail Pooch you can hike with while being on what I call, "voice leash". Still you have to realize that there are leash laws in place, even in the woods and there are those among us who don't have an ounce of friendly in'em when it comes to pups of any kind.
Wicket and I will respect your right to pass on either side of us and in either direction, from in front, or from behind. He is a socializer, so don't be surprised if he just has to show you some trail wiggling in his appreciation of you as a fellow hiker.
Wicket doesn't read yet, so he has a difficult time paying attention to all the new signs posted along the southern end of Goldwater Lake about "No Swimming". Besides, he's not a swimmer, he's a wader! so those signs can't apply to him. He does like cooling off to a point, but an all out swim is going way to far!
Well fellow hikers and trail pooches, from the Trail Pooch team; "Happy Trails".
"Live Free, Live Wild"
Wicket, Trail Pooch Boss &
the Shadow Cameraman
Noel Z. Jones, Broker
RealtyWebNet.Com
Prescott, AZ
Meet Trail Pooch Wicket
Wicket is the inspiration behind Trail Pooch. He's a 2.5 year old mixed breed and been a Trail Pooch since he was 4 mos old.
Something grabbed his attention while hiking on one of the many trails in the Prescott, AZ area. This particular trail is known as the Brownlow Trail, named after the late Gheral Brownlow; a local business man, County Assessor, and avid runner. In the foreground is the "Shadow". Since Wicket is the star of this blog, it's appropriate that his cameraman remain a shadow.
Thanks for visiting blog.TrailPooch.com. Wicket and I hope to see you out there on a trail sometime. He's easy going, friendly, and always waits for me to come up to him when I issue the command, "Come". Obviously and most definitely he's the trail boss.
Happy trails!
Noel Z. Jones
RealtyWebNet.Com
"Live Free, Live Wild"
Something grabbed his attention while hiking on one of the many trails in the Prescott, AZ area. This particular trail is known as the Brownlow Trail, named after the late Gheral Brownlow; a local business man, County Assessor, and avid runner. In the foreground is the "Shadow". Since Wicket is the star of this blog, it's appropriate that his cameraman remain a shadow.
Thanks for visiting blog.TrailPooch.com. Wicket and I hope to see you out there on a trail sometime. He's easy going, friendly, and always waits for me to come up to him when I issue the command, "Come". Obviously and most definitely he's the trail boss.
Happy trails!
Noel Z. Jones
RealtyWebNet.Com
"Live Free, Live Wild"
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