The Smith Ravine Trail travels under an almost continuous forest canopy of ponderosa pine and Gambel oak, and consequently, has plenty of shade but few good viewpoints. The trail is designed with few steep climbs, so is an excellent horseback or mountain bike route. The lower trail is about four feet wide with a smooth tread. The Smith Ravine Trail climbs from Walker Road for about 800 feet in elevation to its junction with Spruce Mountain Road (Forest Road #52A). 

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To reach the east trailhead, drive east on Gurley Street from downtown Prescott. Then take Highway 69 east to the traffic light just west of the Costco discount warehouse, a distance of 4.2 miles. Turn right and drive an additional 4.7 miles. The parking area for the trail is 1.9 miles south of the turnoff to the Lynx Lake boat launching area; it is opposite Binnie Mine Road. There is ample parking for four or five vehicles.

Another approach to this trail is from the Spruce Mountain road (FR 52A). From downtown Prescott drive east to Mt. Vernon St. and then turn right (south). This road is the Senator Highway and, once within the Prescott National Forest, becomes Forest Road 52. Continue south on FR 52 for approximately 4.5 miles to FR 52A (if you come to Marapai Road on your right, you've gone about a tenth of a mile past the FR 52A turnoff). Turn left onto FR 52A and travel for approximately 2.6 miles to the trailhead for TR #297. You will have passed the trailhead for TR #299 at 1.4 miles after leaving the Senator Highway. The trail sign for #297 is not clearly visible from FR 52A. What marks this spot, however, is a secondary road that leaves FR 52A at this point to the east and passes through a wide gate comprised of two tall posts with a guy wire across the top of the posts. The trailhead sign is right at this gate and within a few yards of Spruce Mountain road.

The lower 1.75 miles of this trail were constructed in 1998, so the trail is wide and the surface mostly free of rocks. It is at the 1.75 mile point where the new trail merges with the old, the latter section coming from the residences on FR 25.

The last time I hiked this trail, at about the two-mile point we spotted a flock of 15 turkeys as we reached a shallow saddle about 1/4 mile from the junction with the old trail. They disappeared silently within a few seconds. From this point the trail descends to Smith Ravine and crosses the canyon at Smith Ravine Spring.

From here the trail climbs gradually to the ridge just north of the Spruce Mountain fire lookout. Just before reaching FR 52A, the trail breaks out of the timbered ravine and approaches a saddle across an open south-facing slope. This slope is covered with mostly manzanita and alligator juniper. As you near this saddle you will get your first glimpse of the fire lookout tower atop Spruce Mountain.

The trail ends on the Spruce Mountain road (FR 52A) after climbing for about three miles. Return the way you came unless combining this hike with several connecting trails. Space doesn't allow me to elaborate more on other, longer hikes and rides that could be combined with the Smith Ravine Trail.

For more on this, check out my book, “A Guide to Prescott & Central Highlands Trails, 3rd Edition,” available at most bike, outdoor, and book stores in the Prescott area.. If you don’t want to buy the book, check out this great website for regional trail maps: www.sharlot.org/archives/maps/trailmaps/index.html