Javelina Trail, Old Santa Fe Railroad, & a Hiking Bonus

Weather:  71º, sunny

About this Hike:  We stayed at an Airbnb cabin in the Iron Springs / Spence Springs area.  The next morning we went to explore the Javelina Trail #332 since it was right in our backyard. 

U.S. Forest Service maps didn't show a whole lot of trails in this area west of downtown Prescott along Iron Springs Rd.  As we started hiking on Javelina, we came to several junctions. The signs were low to the ground and white—not indicative of Forest Service signage.  I still had cell reception, and after a little research, I discovered a downloadable map from the City of Prescott.

While U.S. Forest Service trails are sparse in this area, the City of Prescott has recently developed a huge trail network in the area just off Iron Springs Rd.  Parking lots and trailheads have also been added.

We spent an enjoyable Sunday afternoon exploring land that was more forested than I would have expected.  The berms that Santa Fe Railroad tracks one laid on now form part of the trail in what must have been a Rails-to-Trails type initiative.

These well-groomed trails are popular with mountain bikers, but everyone was happy to share the trails.  There are plenty more paths I want to explore in this newly discovered network.

The best part?  These trails give me an excuse to visit the Iron Springs area. Just down Iron Springs Rd. is Barnstar Brewing—a family-run brewery on a private ranch.  It only opens to the public for limited hours on weekends.  A post-hike beer at this unique little brewery is always a welcome reward. 

D'Andrea Trail & Mt. Union

Weather:  71º, sunny

About this Hike:  A few years ago after multiple failed attempts (Goodwin Fire and the like), I finally made it to Mt. Union between Prescott and Crown King.

This year I had my sights set on a trail in that same network called D'Andrea Trial.  I'd read about old mines along the trail, and being October, hoped for some fall color.

Having a new 4x4 truck, I was excited to try out it's capabilities once the Senator Highway turned to dirt.  While the roads serving this area have to be maintained to some extent since there are little communities in this part of Prescott National Forest, the dirt roads definitely are rough in places.

Arriving at the trailhead, parking was scarce—just as the forest service website said it would be.  A Subaru was in the best spot available.  But no matter, I found a great spot on the side of the road.  No sooner was the truck all parked, and I saw the 'No Parking:  Fire Lane' sign nailed to a tree.  A large cabin was directly across the road.  Lest they call a forest ranger, I started the truck up once again.

Eventually I shoehorned the truck into the only other space barely suitable to park a vehicle (legally).  And then we were on our way.

The old mine pops up quickly on the left as you ascend D'Andrea.  It is located on the upward side of a steep slope.  You have to descend a bit thru a ravine (dry the day I was there) and then up the other side.  The mine is full of water nearly to the brim.  In fact, water can be seen seeping out the hillside directly below the mine.

We continued on, and the trail quickly ended at the junction with several other trails.  We continued down an exposed ridge for a short distance, but wanting more fall color and ponderosa pines, we turned around.  We ended up on a trail that quickly led to the summit of Mt. Union.  Beautiful, but not new territory by any means.

We returned via D'Andrea.  I'll admit this ended up feeling like a 'been here, done this' sort of hike.  The temperature quickly plunged into the high 50's, and my raynauds disease quickly led to white fingers.  Time to head back into town for a beer.   

Piestewa's Open Again...

Weather:  83º, sunny

Time:  26.5 minutes

About this Hike:  It's official now. The media have gotten the press releases and everyone knows—Piestewa Peak is open for business.  While the temperatures are cooling down, it was still warm in the sun this morning.

The crowds are definitely returning to Piestewa.  There were plenty of parking spaces in the main preserve, but I opted for the sure-thing and parked on a residential street. 

Amateur hikers are back out from hiding, and there was lots of getting in each other's way, taking selfies, talking into wrists (Apple Watch?), etc. 

Admittedly my attitude soured as I continued dodging slow hikers and having people cross into my path.  I took the main trail up, but opted for the alternate summit side trail on the descent. Those ten or so minutes until the alternate trail dumped me back on Squaw Peak Drive were possibly the most blissful of this hike.