Slide Over your Worries on a Sled

by Blake Herzog

As snowy as Greater Prescott can get, we still don’t reliably get to enjoy classic winter sports like skiing, ice skating, snowboarding and the like. Sledding is a different story.

Almost anyone can enjoy it, and you can use almost anything to do it, which makes it much easier to drop anything you’re doing and go where you need to when the stars and storms align to make it a possibility.

Many of our prime sledding spots are in Prescott National Forest, where you can drive down Walker Road, Senator Highway, Copper Basin Road and to the White Spar Campground on Highway 89. Mountain Valley and Fain parks in Prescott Valley also are possibilities, and of course there are great snow play areas in Williams and Flagstaff. Q

Sledding as an activity is pretty intuitive, but there are a few pointers:

KNOW YOUR VEHICLE

Sledding is the mother of all winter inventions, with many of us growing up while using such basic “sleds” as a cafeteria tray, sturdy piece of cardboard or an inner tube or pool toy, while grownups have been bringing everything from kayaks to yoga mats to the hill.

These will work but make sure you and everyone else using them know the risks involved and how to mitigate them, such as always sledding feet-first and rolling off before the sled crashes.

It’s a better idea to use a product designed for the task, whether it’s a snow saucer or, best of all, a full-blown sled you can brake and steer. Never overload the sled.

DRESS WARMLY

This is for your comfort as well as safety. Securely bundling up with sweaters and warm pants, coats, gloves, socks and snow boots will allow you to enjoy your sledding adventure for as long as you want to, as well as protect you against frostbite.

Avoid wearing cotton because it can trap frigid water next to your skin, and be careful if you wear a scarf, keeping it tucked inside your coat so it won’t get caught underneath.

Top it off with a helmet to protect against head injury.

PICK THE RIGHT SLOPE

You must find a hill free of visible obstacles such as trees, rocks and fences, and be wary of snow drifts, which are especially likely to be concealing boulders or rocks when you’re in Northern Arizona. Also make sure it has a wide landing area that won’t send you flying into a street, parking lot or a lake or pond.

Avoid hills populated by aggressive sledders or skiers, and don’t try one that’s too steep or icy for your comfort level.

NO DRIVING

Nobody should ever be pulled on a sled behind a car, ATV or other motorized vehicle. They won’t have control over their movement, and the driver may not see it if they get into trouble.

MAKE IT A FAMILY OCCASION

Always supervise children and teens as they’re sledding, and take this chance to be a big kid yourself!

YAVAPAI COUNTY Cowboy Action Shooting

Fun for the entire family!

by Alan "Cholla" Garbers

My eyes were squinted against the Arizona sun as my thoughts raced on what was to come. I heard gunfire in the distance and knew the time to draw iron was coming. They were all there; Bronc, The Butcher, Lead Feet, Tramp, and even the notorious prince of the outlaws, Kid Earp.

Suddenly I was firing as fast as I could get my guns in action. My Model ‘73 rifle spat lead. My shotgun bucked against my shoulder, but still, I needed more. My revolvers flashed in the sun like a rattlesnake’s tongue. Then it was over. Bronc yelled out “Thirtyfive and clean! Good job Cholla!”

Welcome to the sport of Cowboy Action Shooting, the game in which the shooters dress the part and shoot guns from the pre-1899 cowboy era. In some ways, it’s like modern tactical shooting competitions. We shoot targets in a pattern and gun sequence as given by the stage writer. But, the guns are replicas of those used in the Old West. Ruger Vaqueros, a copy of the Winchester Model 73 rifle, and a CZ hammer coach shotgun are my tools of the trade.

The Single-Action Shooting Society (SASS) is the largest cowboy shooting organization in the nation. Categories are age-based and sex-based, but they can also be broken down into shooting style, and costume style. While there are minimum clothing requirements, a shooter doesn’t have to dress full cowboy (or cowgirl) to compete.

Yavapai County is blessed with three SASS clubs. The oldest and best known is the Whiskey Row Gunslingers which shoots at the range by Wilhoit. The Yavapai Rangers shoot between Cottonwood and Sedona. The newest club is the Granite Mountain Outlaws. They compete at the Compass Training Center in Chino Valley. Each club has one match a month on different weekends, which allows shooters to compete three weekends a month if they want a little lead therapy.

One unique feature of SASS is there are no monetary prizes or sponsorships. This fosters an environment where the top shooters help and cheer on the bottom shooters. Shooters can range from nine to ninety, and generations of family members often shoot together.

At SASS matches the targets are big and close and the time used to shoot the stage is the score. A match is generally six stages. Revolvers must be single-action. Rifles must be of pistol caliber.

If this sounds like fun, go to a match and watch. Ask about new shooter clinics where you can try the guns and shoot some stages. Some “cowboy” guns are not suited for CAS competition, so please, don’t buy anything before seeing what other shooters use.

Interested? Come see us.

North Storm Ranch Open Space

AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC SPRING '23

by Joe Baynes, Director of Recreation Services, City of Prescott

North Storm Ranch is a 462-acre ranch in the heart of the Granite Dells originally homesteaded by the Storm family in 1926. This part of the Storm Ranch was identified as a very high priority for conservation in the Council adopted Open Space Master Plan.

Through the generosity of the Storm family and with funding provided by this program, the City was able to complete the sale on Oct. 5 for the benefit of our citizens and visitors

With the completion of the sale behind us, design and trail construction will begin this winter and will provide for trail access available to the public in spring 2023. The trails will provide spectacular views of Prescott and the surrounding area including Watson and Willow lakes.

OPEN SPACE HISTORY

The citizens of Prescott passed an initiative in 2000 to fund open space purchases with a portion of sales tax monies. Public forums in 2002 helped clarify priorities and suggest potential open space sites.

Mayor Rowle Simmons assembled the Open Space Advisory Committee in 2003 to advise the City Council on strategies for open space acquisition and stewardship.

In 2008, the Open Space Advisory Committee produced an Open Space Master Plan that identified properties suitable for conservation; the plan was subsequently adopted by the City Council.

Prescott’s open space program seeks to promote quality of life for the citizens of Prescott by preserving and protecting the natural environment that has given this City much of its character.

Its natural areas include magnificent vistas and panoramas, beautiful terrain and native flora and fauna. Hills, sloping sites and dominant rock outcroppings afford spectacular views of this natural environment. Seasonal streams and man-made lakes with their plant and animal life complement these scenic vistas.

Prescott’s unique natural areas must be preserved and protected for the enjoyment of current and future generations through the judicious use of open space funds.

North Storm Ranch, while 3 miles from downtown Prescott, has the remote feel that will allow for a human connection to the great outdoors. Let’s get out and explore!

Photo by Chris Hosking, Trails/Park Land Planner, City of Prescott

Blazin’ M Greets Fall, Winter Guests with Holiday Hoedown

Brisk days and evenings prompted the Blazin’ M Ranch to stage what they call “Holiday Hoedowns” Nov. 29 through Dec. 30.

Owners Ryan and Leila Glass said special activities for younger kids include bounce houses, face-painting, Putt-Putt golf, wall climbing and a mechanical bull.

For the older folks, the Westernmotif frontier town is in full service with wagon rides, shopping, a saloon, vendors, target shooting, axe throwing, photo studio and other memory-makers.

“We’ve planned our program to be appropriate for the season. On show nights, when the barn opens where we serve our tasty home-cooked meal of chicken and barbecue ribs and all the fixins’, including a not-to-beforgotten dessert of spice cake with cream cheese, we’ll follow that with our hour-long family-appropriate musical show,” the two said.

“We’ve tailored the show this year so it’s fresh and memorable. Some talented entertainers and musicians will perform the music of noted western and country stars like Chris Stapleton, George Strait, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tonya Tucker, Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, Bob Willis and the Texas Playboys, Elvis Presley and Patsy Cline.”

Named a Trip Adviser ‘Traveler’s Choice’

Just recently the Blazin’ M Ranch received a TripAdvisor recommendation as a popular place to visit in the Verde Valley. Located on 1835 Mabery Ranch Road, the renovated frontier town has become an attraction for regional and national travelers.

Several shows are being offered at discounted fares. Group rates are available. With plenty of free parking, tickets are available at the entry gate or by calling the main office at 800.937.8643. More information can be found online at www.blazinm.com.

Photo courtesy of Experience Prescott - Office of Tourism

302 Acres Added to City Open Space in Granite Dells

Following years of negotiation, The City of Prescott closed escrow Oct. 5 for 302 acres of Storm Ranch land to be added to the Granite Dells annexation.

The land at the northeast edge of Prescott is valued at $8,461,808.

City officials expressed gratitude for the additional property. Mayor Phil Goode said purchase of the land was important in the City’s continuing quest to add open space that will be enjoyed by future generations.

Recreation Services Director Joe Baynes said the City considers the acquisition to be a key link because it is contiguous to 474 acres of the dells acquired through purchase of a prior Storm Lake property in 2018 and through annexation of the Arizona Eco Development property.

He said two major trails, the Peavine and the Iron King, will now provide more access to the total property because of the increased linkages.

Work on new trails began in November and will add 6 miles of trails that should be open to the public by late March or early April 2023.

Among the first to open will be approximately 1 mile that connects Iron King Trail to the gap area in the Dells. It will feature a 200-to-300-foot climb.

A second new trail will connect Iron King Trail and Peavine Trail.

The City has agreed to work with the sellers to acknowledge the pioneer Storm Family ranching history of a century. Part of that will be achieved though signage at various locations in the newly created open space.

Baynes said he spoke for the City in saying the newly added open space is a legacy that will endure over time.