Groom Creek (Spruce Mt.) Loop

Hike Name: Groom Creek (Spruce Mt.) Loop Location: central AZ Length: 11 Submitted by: Bill Hughes Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Arizona trail reviews Arizona national parks Arizona state parks
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Description
A great all day hike or overnighter in the Bradshaw Mountains. The hike follows forest trail 307 up and over Spruce Mountain, going through large stands of Ponderosa, Spruce and Oak trees, as well as providing some spectacular views of the surrounding countryside (including the Granite Dells, Granite Mountain, The San Francisco Peaks, and three local lakes). There is a fire lookout tower at the top of Spruce which is staffed during the summer months. If you are extra attentive, you might find: an old, abandoned miner's cabin, a deserted crab-apple orchard, a year-round spring, white-tail deer, black bear, mountain lion, bald eagles, javelina, scorpions, rattlers, tarantulas, and cone nosed kissing bugs.
There are no reliable water sources along the trail, so bring your own. The lookout tower is about 1/2 way, so it makes a great rest/ lunch stop. I have parked hundreds of times at the trailhead, and have never had any concerns about the safety of my car. There is also a bathroom and message board at the trail head.
In the middle of the summer, the fire danger can rise above "extreme" so open fires might be unwise/ prohibited. Also, while the trail is extra nice in the rain, watch out for lightening, especially when crossing some of the open ridges high on the mountain. In the winter, there is usually little or no snow, but it can get as deep as three or four feet!

Directions to Hike
From Phoenix, take I-17 north 50 miles to Cordes Juntion. Turn onto Highway 69 and drive about 50 miles to Prescott. As you come into town from 69, you will be on Gurley St. Drive West on Gurley for about two miles untill you come to the intersection with Mt. Vernon. There is a stoplight here, so turn left (South) onto Mt.Vernon. After about three blocks the road's name changes to Senator Highway. Continue south for six miles, untill you see the trail head/ parkinglot on your left. From here, look for the marker for trail 307.
Be sure to get a good map before you go!

Contact Information
Prescott National Forest
344 South Cortez Prescott, AZ 86303
(520) 445-1762

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