9 minute read
Best Winter Treks in Greater Prescott
Best Winter Treks
in Greater Prescott
by Blake Herzog
The hiking scene in Prescott becomes less active in the winter, but it’s by no means dormant.
There’s less traffi c on the trails, rivers and creeks are fl owing, surrounding peaks are snowcapped, and when you get to walk on snow it cushions your joints. You get to see the green world you know and love in a translucent new light.
It’s glorious.
Avoid or use caution around the ice and mud that snow leaves behind, but don’t let them scare you away from these spellbinding sights! Q
Head west of town on Copper Basin Road to reach this winter highlight. Its elevation is just high enough for it to be blanketed in snow when lower parts of Greater Prescott are just dusted with the white stuff . Come here to see the spectacle of trees weighed down with sleeves of white, Thumb Butte nearly unrecognizable with a coating of snow, as well as distant peaks.
Walk or sled past milky aspens, broad-branched oaks, puff y ponderosas and peaceful glens. Walk along the creek itself, likely to be more than just a trickle this time of year. Leave with spectacular photos and memories to share with everyone who didn’t get to go.
THUMB BUTTE TRAIL No. 33
This trail on the iconic butte also makes many lists of the best places to hike in the winter, giving everyone a 2-mile loop with great views of our bucolic winter town and the surrounding forests, while the cooler weather gives hikers a break from the hot sun that beats down on the less-shady portions of the path.
Hiking Thumb Butte can be a great family Christmas activity, as long as everyone can handle the steep incline (start the loop by heading to your right at the trailhead for a gentler incline on an unpaved trail). The half on the steeper slope can get a little icy in freezing temperatures, so use caution just as you would with any other icy patch.
WOLF CREEK LOOP TRAIL No. 364
One of this trail’s highlights is a waterfall, though it’s often diffi cult to fi nd during the dry months as it slows to a trickle or nothing at all behind some shrubbery. Snowmelt during the winter fi res it up to an impressive cascade, particularly starting in February as the spring thaw approaches.
You also will see many stands of pine and oak among granite boulders that glitter with ice and snow, and when you’re lucky you may see some deer or follow mountain lion tracks in the snow — not too far, please!
WATSON AND WILLOW LAKE TRAILS
You have plenty of chances to walk on boulders along these trails, which can keep you out of the snow and mud that can bog down even the most experienced hikers. The avian population’s sounds and play are crisper in the chilly air and reduced human population. The Granite Dells are even more impressive covered with snow.
Higher water levels may cross your path at a couple of points along both lakes, so check ahead to avoid any unexpected detours if your time is limited.
Portable Band Shell Off ers Event Options
by Kelly Tolbert, Recreation Coordinator, City of Prescott
The City of Prescott has long been a tourism destination with its quaint downtown courthouse plaza, unique shops and restaurants lining the square and, of course, the impressive lineup of craft fairs and special events.
Chances are, if you have been around the area for more than a year, you’ve seen a large portable stage set up at events such as Whiskey Off Road, the annual Bluegrass Festival, Fourth of July, Whiskey Row Boot Drop and all of the local parades, among others.
The Recreation Services Department purchased this “mobile sound shell” in hopes of adding an additional stream of revenue to the City’s general fund in the early 2000s. Equipped with accessories such as stage extensions, theater lighting and hydraulic shade canopy, shell not only is desirable but customizable for any event.
With pricing for both nonprofi t/service groups and private/commercial entities, the portable stage (also referred to as the “band shell”) is available for daily use, two-day rentals or longer. For additional fees, the band shell can travel to areas outside of Prescott.
Renters do need to provide a certifi cate of insurance with the City of Prescott named as the certifi cate holder and additional insured ($1 million per occurrence, $2 million aggregate and one $1 million property damage), which is the consistent requirement for renting any Recreation Services facilities unless otherwise specifi ed.
For more information or availability of the portable stage or to request a formal application visit: prescott-az.gov/ recreation-events/programs-special-events/special-events.
Recreation Services staff will be happy to meet with renters on site to determine set up location unless the event is a repeat event. Renters also will be advised of any additional equipment that will be needed such as a pre-approved power supply, additional cords, spider boxes and cord protectors. Contact us with any questions when planning your events!
Jane Hersh (l) who coordinates the Veterans A airs program at Yavapai College (YC) ; and Anette Karlsson (r), chancellor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), ank Patty Bell-Demers, executive director of United Way-Yavapai County following the announcement that UWYC was giving scholarships to two veterans at YC and three at ERAU. (photo by Ray Newton)
United Way-Yavapai County Awards Granted
More than 200 people from throughout Yavapai County celebrated the annual awards ceremony sponsored by United Way of Yavapai County Nov.5. e theme for the evening’s program was “Show Up United” at the Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott Valley. e program was organized by Patty Bell-Demers, her sta and the board of directors.
“Our mission is to make our communities better places to be. We do that through cooperative caring activities,” Bell-Demers said. e event also kicked o the coming year’s o cial fundraising campaign.
United Way of Yavapai County President Mary Ann Suttles, Prescott, welcomed the crowd and introduced Darla Deville, Arizona Public Service community a airs manager-Northwest Division. Deville served as emcee and introduced various award recipients.
e county chapter called representatives of 21 nonpro ts to the stage to receive a cumulative $285,220 in grants for 2021-2022.
United Way o cials reported that during scal year 2019-2000, the organization distributed more than $400,000 to local nonpro ts and programs. at included $233,500 in grants that went to more than 20 county-based nonpro ts.
Another $112,500 was for pandemic relief; $16,000 for Yavapai County Education and Technology Consortium support to assist students in rural communities remain connected to internet connections; and $15,000 for emergency response needed for the Bagdad Spur Fire.
Five Daniel H. Roberts Veterans Scholarships were awarded to honor Roberts, a World War II veteran of the Army Air Corps who was imprisoned by the Japanese. He left a portion of his estate to United Way of Yavapai County to be used for veteran scholarships at local colleges or universities.
Scholarships were awarded to Sarah Gutierrez and John Garlington, both at Yavapai College; and Abdul Barrie, Benjamin Kowaleski and Robert Utley, all Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott. Additionally, the ve veterans received new laptop computers from Laptops 4 Learning and Desert Financial Credit Union. ey also received new backpacks packed with school supplies provided by United Way, APS and National Bank of Arizona.
United Way o cials applauded representatives of ve area chambers of commerce.
In Prescott, the chamber was cited for “collaboration”; in Prescott Valley for “generosity”; in Chino Valley for “passion”; in Sedona for “respecting the environment”; and in
A ag-festooned re truck honors military veterans during Veterans Day Parade. (Photo by Ray Newton)
2021 Veterans Day Parade
ere may have been a slight nip in the air, but the sun shone brightly as the marching bands roused the crowd and parade-goers cheered on participants in the 2021 Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11.
Opening ceremonies took place at 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Cortez and Union streets before the parade got started. is year’s theme was: Honoring World War II Veterans — a Grateful Nation Salutes the Greatest Generation. e City invited participants to enter in these categories: Fraternal or military organizations, music; motorized groups; marching units; hospital entries by veterans; nonpro t organizations and commercial/business enterprises.
Cottonwood for “commitment.”
All chambers received Community Impact Awards because of ongoing activities on behalf of their respective communities.
Top 10 corporate sponsors of United Way were: Freeport McMoRan, APS, UPS, Costco, Town of Prescott Valley, PrintPack, Walmart, National Bank of Arizona, CDS Global and Care 1st Arizona.
Emcee Deville praised each of the sponsors and United Way supporters.
Bell-Demers acknowledged Desert Financial Credit Union during closing remarks when she accepted a $15,000 check. She said it would be dedicated to launching new in-person workshops and online learning opportunities through the United Way’s Center for Organizational Excellence. ose workshops will feature programs that focus on such topics as leadership, nance, program management, accounting, grant writing and possibly cybersecurity. Bell-Demers said a survey will be conducted to determine which topics to be conducted to determine which topics generate the most community interest.
