Groom Creek Loop Trail #307

Groom Creek Loop Trail #307 - Prescott, AZ

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Groom Creek Loop Trail #307

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Groom Creek Loop Trail #307 tread is generally 18-24 inches wide with general slope of over 8% and occasional pitches over 20%. Tread is rocky native soil with scattered obstacles of one foot or more over its length. Cross slope varies from 0% to 10%, inconsistently.

From the north loop at the trailhead, the trail passes through oak and juniper, and one of the best Ponderosa pine stands in the Prescott National Forest, with fir along the upper reaches. It climbs 1,200 feet over 3 miles through the upper Wolf Creek drainage to the top of Spruce Mountain and the Spruce Mountain Lookout Tower, where there is a picnic table.

Hikers may visit the Tower when manned. The Tower offers panoramic views of Prescott and Granite Mountain to the west, and Mingus Mountain and the San Francisco Peaks to the northeast.

The trail turns southwest and follows the South Spruce Ridge for about 1.6 miles to the junction with Isabella Trail #377 which connects to Walker Road. Groom Creek Loop Trail #307 then begins a long, twisting descent down the mountain. The final portion bears northwest, crossing several old mining roads on the way to completing the loop back to the Groom Creek trailhead.

The elevation at Groom Creek is about 6,200 feet, and the top of Spruce Mountain is about 7,700 feet. The trail starts and ends at the Groom Creek Horse Camp Family Campground and loops about 8.7 miles. The hike is considered to be a moderate hike.

Groom Creek Loop Trail #307 welcomes hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikes.

Facilities: The Groom Creek Horse Camp Family Campground is located nearby. There are restrooms at the trailhead and at the Spruce Mountain Lookout Tower. Drinking water is not available at any point along the trail. The trailhead has a parking area for ten cars and six truck-trailer units.

Best Time To Visit: The trail is open May through October, weather permitting.

Fees: A parking fee may be charged.

Accessibility: The area is not accessible.

Rules: No motorized vehicles are allowed. Please refrain from using horses or wheeled vehicles when trail is wet.

Directions: To reach the Groom Creek Loop Trail trailhead from the courthouse in downtown Prescott, take Gurley St. east about 3/4 of a mile to Mt. Vernon Avenue, which is also Senator Highway / Forest Road 52 for about 6.5 miles to Groom Creek. The trailhead parking lot is on the east side. The Groom Creek Horse Camp is on the west side.

Map: Click here for a map to Groom Creek Loop Trail #307

Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted to use the Groom Creek Loop Trail #307.

Attractions Near
Groom Creek Loop Trail #307

Groom Creek
Groom Creek Horse Camp Family Campground
Prescott National Forest

Address

Prescott National Forest

344 South Cortez

Prescott, Arizona 86303

Phone
General: (928) 445-1762

Website