Dogs must be walked, a splendid excuse for a morning hike. This trip, my brother and I ventured on hikes that challenged and delighted me. In Prescott, Arizona dozens of rambling opportunities present themselves from our front door or within a short drive. Here are a few walks we did June 2017 .
Willow Lake Trail Hike
A cozy zoo is at the entrance and the park is across the road from the Emory Riddle Aeronautical College. An archeology team is working dig sites for pre-1200 AD adobe huts and masonry pits at one end and the Dells at the other end. Ramadas are located in several convenient settings fir rest and shade. In the photo, you can see the corner of a orange roof of one.
We saw dragonflies! You can see the City of Prescott in the background and a bit of the lake in the photo.
My mother and the dogs like the walks at Willow Lake–a nice variety of easy to moderate rambles.
We have a family pass at the Heritage zoo located at the park entrance. Lynx kittens are the latest draw which were in hiding when I visited, but I did say hello to the fox, marmosets, falcons, miniatures horses, eagles, raccoons and the peacocks blocking the exit.
Thumb Butte
A challenging hike that took about eighty minutes to toil up one side of the Butte from one side and down the other.
In full disclosure, we were not allowed up the final face of the promontory as it was nesting season for falcons.
We saw a woodpecker on the way down. The views were incredible. Too bad I was more focused on not dying.
From my observation of the other hikers, this appears to be The Venue for pushing the limits and meeting your challenges. You’d be fearfully buff doing this hike three to five times a week.
Lynx Lake
Lynx Lake is a 55-acre reservoir located within Prescott National Forest, approximately 5 miles east of Prescott, Arizona, in the Bradshaw Mountains. The lake is stocked for fishing, mostly rainbow trout, some bass. Mild weather, the cool ponderosa pine forest, boating, hiking, and bird watching are all good draws to the park, but frankly we were there because the dogs wanted a swim.
Entrance to the National Forest at Lynx Lake is free on Wednesdays. We saw walkers, fishermen, boaters, and dogs. A lovely, peaceful morning.
Constellations Trails
From the City of Prescott: Trailhead is located on the west side of State Route 89, and just south of The Phippen Museum. This series of trail loops traverse more level ground than some of the other Dells trails. Trail surface varies from packed earth to slick rock. Usage is marked for mountain biking & hiking.
We saw beautiful rock formations and scrub oak passageways on this trail.
The trails are named after a crash that occurred there. On February 28, 1959, a United States Air Force Lockheed C–121G Super Constellation en route from Litchfield Park NAS, Phoenix crashed at this site during a training mission. The city of Prescott Constellation Trails are dedicated to the memory of the US Navy servicemen who lost their lives while serving our country. The five serviceman are listed on the plaque. Scrap metal from the crash is heaped into a pile near the memorial.
The trails are well maintained and the views are spectacular. Thirty minutes in, I petered out. I’d love to return one day.
Please let me know of your favorite spots and things to do in Prescott.
Trip report respectfully submitted by Michelle K
Michelle Knowlden writes... 
Lovely places, especially Lynx Lake!
Your comment about climbing Thumb Butte, more focused on not dying–lol!
I must say that Prescott is lovely all around and the hiking is superb! Thank you for your comments.