May 22, 2016, Prescott- There are lots of challenges left in the world, for those who think it’s all been done by others. I know that, no matter where I go, there will be someone who’s already “done” the trip, gone along the trail, gone up the mountain, forded the river, negotiated the canyon. I’m happy for them, and hope that many will follow after us. The world is for learning and for appreciating.
In twelve section hikes, I have explored the entire unpaved course of Prescott Circle Trail. Ten segments, spanning 53 miles, separated only by a 1.8 mile gap of neighbourhood and ranch, offer a variety of terrain and ecosystems: Pinon juniper forest, manmade lakes, grassland, highway underpasses, scrub oak forest, tall pines and, always, granite or shale badlands and Dells.
I started this effort last autumn, with a view towards getting a holistic sense of my adopted home base and the condition of its natural environment. This afternoon, the final section of trail presented itself: A loop, starting and ending on the side of Granite Basin Road, a bit south of Cayuse Day Use Area, an equine staging area.
Hence, the photos:
Above, is Ho-Kay-Gan Trailhead.
A nice party of three hikers, who had passed me, while completing their own loop hike, graciously took this keepsake.
So, my first completion of a long-distance trail system is now complete, at least the unpaved portion. I will walk the gap, from Katahn Drive to Pioneer Parkway, for the sake of integrity, early next month. Then, too, completing Black Canyon National Recreation Trail by the end of 2016 is also a goal.
It’s been a long trek, Gary, but through some beautiful countryside. This segment has some lovely vistas, and the flowers are impressive in such dry country!
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That’s what I love about desert wildflowers- they make do, fabulously, with relatively little water.
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Wow that looks like a fabulous trail. I could see the heat. I hope you continue to have fun. 🙂
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The trail is always surprising, which makes my long-term commitment to such hikes, so much more pleasurable.
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🙂
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Thank you, Joshua.
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