Expeditions West: Prescott Arizona, Watson Lake, OHV, trails, mountain bike, kayak, canoe

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Watson Lake
This photo courtesy of bajataco.com

Watson Lake, Granite Mountain. Prescott 2004

Date

5/21-23/2004

Trail Time

N/A

Location

Prescott National Forest, Granite Dells, Granite Mountain

Mapping / GPS / Waypoint File

.gif Map Image (OHV area) / .GIF Map (Watson Lake)/ .MPS (Mapsource) Track File for OHV area.

Trail Rating: 2.5 (1-5 scale)

N/A. The Alto Pit OHV area has mixed trails and requires a $3.00 fee

Major Obstacle

N/A

Brush (minor, moderate, severe)

Moderate

Scenic Value (1-5 scale)

5: Watson Lake is most impressive, and the Granite Mountain area and Mountain Bike trails rate as some of the most beautiful I have seen.

Attendees

Scott Brady- 2004 Toyota Tacoma TRD Double Cab
BajaTaco- Toyota Tacoma Extra-Cab

This area can be described as an outdoors paradise, with beautiful trails, lakes and scenery. There is not much to say in this report, as the pictures will do most of the talking...

Watson Lake

Watson Lake is located on hwy 89, north of Prescott. The complex has campsites, restrooms, and picnic area. Crappie and Large Mouth Bass can be caught in it's waters. This is a no swimming, no wake lake, making it perfect for canoeing and kayaking. We canoed and kayaked most of the northern shoreline, enjoying the small side canyons, rock features and wildlife. We docked the boats and hiked to an overlook, facing west towards Granite Mountain and the Prescott NF. The weather was perfect in late may.

Mint Creek, Prescott NF Mountain Biking (multi-use) trail

This was a fantastic 9 mile loop trail, with fast downhill's and technical rock obstacles. The erosion mounds allowed for great "air", and we all got to try out the our new Specialized Epic FRS full suspension bike. The trail winds through the Prescott National Forest, with views of Granite Mountain. Most of the trail is moderate singletrack with heavy horse and hiking traffic. Remember that equine always have the right of way, dismount and move off the trail to let them pass. There was one downhill section into Mint Creek that has to be ridden to fully appreciate. It was an Eticket!