During 2006, portions of this route have seen forest thinning and the cutting of trees killed by the 2003 bark beetle infestation. But from the upper portion of the route there are still wonderful views of the Prescott basin and a sweeping panorama of grassland and forest landscapes that stretch to the volcanic mountains near Flagstaff. It also offers an intimate view of the west side of Thumb Butte.

I hiked this route on April 26 of this year, the first day of Prescott’s second springtime. It’s a loop hike that will take you along a portion of the Prescott Circle Trail, a 44-mile route that circumnavigates the Prescott basin. If you hike this route, be sure to pay attention to the details I’m about to give you; there are so many crisscrossing trails and roads in this area that it’s easy to miss a turn.

From downtown Prescott drive west on Gurley Street for approximately two miles to Thumb Butte Road. Continue on Thumb Butte Road to the Thumb Butte recreation area. Park in the designated parking area, which requires a $2 fee. Parking is free if you display on your dash a Golden Age or similar permit.

The trail (#326) begins a few feet south and west of the parking lot and follows a course along Miller Creek for about one mile. Within a quarter-mile, look on the right for remains of a creekside well or cistern.Shortly thereafter, where it reaches a cattle guard in the road, the trail climbs sharply left and up an embankment. At the top of the embankment stay to the right, continuing along Miller Creek. After walking about 30 minutes you will cross a rocky outcropping in the creek and continue to the left. It gets a little confusing at the clearing. One trail goes left toward the creek; our trail stays right, heading toward the road but finally veering left and dropping into a broad drainage to where it meets Trail #392. There is a proper trail sign here that displays the logo for the Prescott Circle Trail.

Continue south along Trail #392 for about 0.7 miles, always staying to the right when encountering other trails. In all cases these side trails are closed, as indicated by brush pilings intended to discourage going that way. At the 0.7-mile point the wide two-track veers left, but follow the newly constructed single-track segment to the right. This segment follows a contoured course up the hill, climbing about 500 feet. It travels through a fire-blackened forest for another half-mile to a junction with Trail #326 (yes, that’s the same trail you started on). Just across the double-track trail is another sign for Trail #322. This latter trail is a continuation of the Prescott Circle Trail and goes east, connecting with Forest Road 51 and continuing toward Copper Basin Road.

Our route goes left at this junction on Trail #326 for 0.4 miles before reaching another junction with Trail #323. There are two signs here, one for Trail #322 and other for Trail #323. I believe this is a mistake because Trail #326, not Trail #322, continues to the left. Contrary to my previous advice, continue past the brush pile blocking this trail. Within a short distance, you will encounter yet another trail sign for Trail #314. This trail connects within a quarter-mile to the west leg of the Thumb Butte Trail and would be another route back to your starting point. Otherwise, continue left along Trail #326 for another 0.9 miles to a wooden gate. There are some wonderful unobstructed views of the west slope of Thumb Butte along this trail segment. Continue through the gate, ignoring the trail to the left. You quickly reach the outgoing section of Trail #326 and the remaining short distance back to your vehicle.

Your total distance on the entire route is just under 4 miles. It took me about 3.5 hours, including a lunch break.

An old cistern on Miller Creek is a point of interest along the Prescott Circle Trail.