Woodchute Wilderness - Prescott, AZ

eatstayplay.com - Arizona - Woodchute Wilderness

Woodchute Wilderness

GPS Coordinates: Unknown

What is a geocache? Click here to find about geocaching


	Courtesy of EatStayPlay.com
	Click here for additional photos

Woodchute Wilderness, located in the Prescott National Forest, offers relatively easy access and spectacular views of the San Francisco Peaks and panoramic vistas of central Arizona. Created in 1984, the 5,923-acre wilderness ranges in elevation from 5,500 to 7,800 feet. Ponderosa Pine is the dominant tree located at the upper elevations, which gradually changes to pinyon pine and Utah juniper at the lower and relatively drier elevations.

Climate in the Woodchute Wilderness and the Prescott National Forest varies with elevation. The higher elevations generally receive much more precipitation and much cooler temperatures than the lower elevations. Summers on the Forest bring warm daytime temperatures with cool nights. Low elevations often experience very hot summer temperatures. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summer. The late autumn, winter and early spring months bring some snow and sometimes-cold temperatures to the high elevations but frequent clear, sunny days. Winter brings moderate temperatures to the low elevations; a good time to experience these normally snow free areas.

Woodchute is a small, easily accessible, heavily visited Wilderness near the geographic heart of Arizona. The Wilderness offers spectacular views of the San Francisco Mountains and panoramic vistas of the central portion of the state. From a low point of 5,500 feet visitors can climb the Woodchute Trail through dry country of Utah juniper and pinyon pine. The trail gradually opens onto higher country dominated by an over-story of second-growth ponderosa pine, finally topping out on the wide, flat mesa at the summit of Woodchute Mountain at 7,800 feet.

From trailhead to summit is about 2.75 miles one-way. Along the way hikers or horseback riders will see exposed layers of ancient ash from the days of volcanic activity. There's no water on the trail but Martin Canyon, which forms the southwestern border, has several tanks just outside of the Wilderness. The Martin Canyon Trail follows the bottom of the canyon for four miles. Years ago, this area was clear-cut to allow for mining operations, but it is slowly being reforested.

Facilities: There are no facilities within Woodchute Wilderness. There are limited facilities available at the Woodchute Trail. The trailhead has restrooms. There is camping and drinking water (in season) at nearby Potato Patch Family Campground.

Best Time To Visit: Woodchute Wilderness is open year round.

Fees: No fees are charged to access Woodchute Wilderness.

Accessibility: Woodchute Wilderness area is not handicap accessible.

Rules: As with all Wilderness Areas, any mechanized vehicle is prohibited. Access to Woodchute Wilderness is limited to foot or horseback. All terrain vehicles, mountain bicycles, trucks, jeeps, etc are prohibited.

Obey all posted rules for the Woodchute Wilderness and the Prescott National Forest. Read and obey any fire restrictions or forest closures.

Directions: The Woodchute Wilderness access is just off U.S. 89A turn-off at Potato Patch Campground near the 335-mile marker. The trailhead is just beyond the campground with a gravel parking lot outside the gates to the Wilderness. U.S. 89A is a winding highway, so allow a little extra time for travel.

Map: Click here for a map to Woodchute Wilderness

Reservations: Reservations are not need or required to visit Woodchute Wilderness.

Attractions Near
Woodchute Wilderness

Martin Canyon Trail #103
Potato Patch Family Campground
Prescott National Forest
Woodchute Trail


	Courtesy of EatStayPlay.com
	Click here for additional photos

Address

Prescott National Forest-Verde Ranger District

300 East Highway 260

P.O. Box 670

Camp Verde, Arizona 86322

Phone
General: (520) 567-4121