On June 30, 2013, nineteen members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots died when they were trapped and overrun by the wildfire that they were fighting near Yarnell, AZ. This hike will take you into the area where they perished. Be advised that this hike can be taxing on both your body and your soul.
Participants will have a choice of doing a moderate 5.7-mile (9 KM) hike with 1100' (330 M) of elevation gain, or a strenuous 7.2-mile (11.5 KM) hike with 1500' (450 M) of elevation gain. Both versions are out-and-back hikes. All participants will hike the Hotshots Trail, which features commemorative plaques to the fallen firefighters and other plaques describing the fighting of wildfires. The Hotshots Trails ends at an observation deck overlooking the fatality site.
For the moderate hike, the observation deck is the turnaround point. From there, the strenuous hike will continue out-and-back along the Journey Trail to the actual fatality site. There you can pay your respects to the fallen firefighters before starting back.
Please bring plenty of water, hat, and lunch. For additional information, see the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Park website and the Arizona State Parks website for this park. A Trail Brochure is available HERE.
Video of views of the hike
This 6-mile hike is an extended version of the Watson Lake Loop Trail hike (below). In addition to doing the scenic Watson Lake Loop Trail hike, there will also be a side excursion down Flume Canyon, returning along Granite Creek to the Watson Lake Loop Trail at Watson Lake Dam. Both the Flume Canyon trails and the North Shore Trail (which is part of the loop and enters the Granite Dells) are rugged trails which require some rock scrambling at times.
Video of Flume Trail Hike
Choose a morning activity and an afternoon activity. You will be spending the day at Watson Lake with no return to camp in between.
Although this is not a long hike, it will take you through a rugged area in the form of Flume Canyon. The hike will start at a trailhead north of Watson Lake and promptly take you into scenic Flume Canyon, where you will have some time to explore. Then the hike will continue south along Watson Lake and through more of the Granite Dells. The hike ends at the Marina area towards the SW side of Watson Lake.
The Brownlow trail system is an excellent way for those who are new to mountain biking to gain confidence and skills, while enjoying the beauty of Prescott. The trails offer a exciting and flowing trail ride, winding through a well marked beginner trail system. While you are not in the pines, you'll ride through expansive mountain foothills dotted with scrub oak and juniper trees. This ride offers both new and experienced riders a fun and flowy ride. This option is a wonderful way for new riders to get used to riding single track, sweeping views and moderate climbs abound.
This hike will use part of the Watson Lake Loop Trail to reach the Peavine Trail, and then follow the Peavine Trail around Watson Lake and maybe beyond if time allows.
Video of the Watson Lake and the Peavine Trail
Man made Watson Lake with its 360 acres of flat water surface area, is perhaps the most unusual and photogenic of the reservoirs in central Arizona. It will take us about two hours to explore it. We will paddle the perimeter, poking into all the nooks and crannies made by the Dells. Most of the shoreline and the surroundings are formed of huge, rounded granite boulders, forming what is called The Dells. Some of these are semi-submerged, forming tiny islands or narrow promontories.
Sadly, there is no swimming in Watson Lake since it is the drinking water for the City of Prescott.
Video of paddling Watson Lake
See description for Morning Paddle
An intimate museum exhibiting cowboy- and Native American-themed works tracing the culture of the West. The Phippen Museum is named after local artist and first president of the Cowboy Artists of America, George Phippen. It presents museum quality Western art exhibits, educational opportunities, and unique art events for visitors of all ages.
The Phippen Museum's permanent collection consists of paintings, etchings, drawings, bronze sculptures, photography, American Indian artifacts, and jewelry that date from the late 19th century to the early 21st century. All materials in the collection created by artists of the American West.
Background video of the Phippen Museum
Prescott’s history dates to ancient times. We will start the day with a brief visit to a couple of archaeological sites. We will then proceed to the modern town of Prescott.
Prescott was Arizona’s first capital! It has a fascinating history from the wild west days, bootleggers, and opium days, to its modern resurrection as a "Place to Be." You can further explore the town with a web guided “Scavenger Hunt” from Puzzling Adventures, or spend time in the city’s two outstanding museums. Of course, there is always shopping…
Stricklin Park This small natural park features an archaeological site with interpretive signs. It is accessible via the Butte Creek Trail. The site is the remains of an A.D. 900 Prescott Culture pit house excavated in 1997.
Enchanted Canyon This prominent granite outcrop contains over 100 petroglyph elements, with a nearby public trail. This site has been a popular picnic spot since the 1800's and contains the names and dates of those early visitors, as well as, a beautiful array of prehistoric elements.
The rest of the day will be an open time in downtown Prescott. The following are among options that will be available to you:
Explore Prescott using Puzzling Adventures Puzzling Adventures™ are a cross between a scavenger hunt, an informative self-guided tour of the town, and The Amazing Race®. Each adventure consists of a series of locations that guided you to where you are required to answer questions or solve puzzles to receive your next instruction. We can have teams of up to 6 people. The game is a fun and creative way to learn more about Prescott. Note: At least one member of the team will use their data plan on a smartphone or a tablet to enjoy the journey. - See more HERE.
Sharlot Hall Museum Sharlot Hall Museum is an educational and cultural center, which focuses on historical, social, and natural aspects of Arizona, with emphasis on the Central Highlands. The main part of the museum is the Governor’s Mansion, built in 1864. Also on site are a frontier schoolhouse, an early trading post, an elaborate Victorian home, and a representative ranch house, and a transportation exhibit that includes an original stagecoach and Conestoga wagon. If we have a group of 10, we can have a docent join us for further enhancement of our visit.
Background video of Sharlot Hall Museum
Smoki Museum of American Indian Art and Culture The Smoki Museum celebrates tribes that inhabit the Southwest. Exhibits include pottery, basketry, tools, arrowheads, rugs, clothing, ornaments, paintings, beadwork, and sculptures. The baskets in the museum collection considered among the best in the United States. The artwork ranges from watercolor to charcoal, oil, and photography. The Smoki Museum has everything you need to enjoy and appreciate the Native American cultures of the Southwest.
Background video of Smoki Museum
Whiskey Row For those of you who feel a little shopping is in order, historical Whiskey Row is a street lined with historic buildings that house pubs, restaurants and a variety of specialty shops, all oozing with a taste and feel of the Old West.
Whiskey Row is full of some of Prescott's oldest history. This street is named Whiskey Row because of the large number of saloons in one place. At one point the block hosted a total of 40 saloons. Nowadays, Whiskey Row is known for its art galleries, candy shops, and of course its famous saloons. One stroll around this block would show you how full of life and history this town is!
Faire on the Square Arts and Crafts Show Faire on the Square, a juried Arts and Crafts show that considered one of the most outstanding arts and crafts shows in the southwest. It has something for everyone including live music, food and hundreds of handmade arts and crafts for all. Enjoy over 130 vendors under the cool American Elm trees in historic downtown Prescott
Enjoy a stroll along the trails in and near Camp. We will not go far or fast. It will provide a chance to take in the fresh morning air and appreciate God's work.
Relish a four-mile lollipop hike taking you through several of the trails north of Camp in Prescott National Forest. Along the way, you will find ponderosa pine forests, nice scenery, and a variety of trails to explore. This area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, rabbits, lizards, snakes, and birds. The terrain will vary from stream valleys to hilltops.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon is and near Camp with our own Dave Liebman. Dave Liebman is an award-winning photographer in addition to be an expert naturalist. Come and learn about how to create excellent photographs using that which is right under (or at times right over) your nose.
Come and study the Torah with other members of the Mosaic Community.
The pool will be open all day today for swimming, sunbathing, and just hanging out with a good book. Included
Find a partner and play a game of tennis or ping-pong, or get a group together for hockey, softball, and more. Included
Enjoy the sports fields, courts and courses at camp on your own. Camp Stein has a sports field, tennis courts (bring your rackets/balls), one volleyball court, one indoor sports court, and one outdoor sports court. The camp has basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls, and baseball bats/balls. Bring your baseball mitt. There is also Ga-ga (Israeli Dodgeball). Included.