Dan and Hannah Hike Our American Southwest - Prescott, Arizona

There is historic Prescott and then there is Prescott Valley, which has grown in just over thirty years from 1500 residents to its current 38,000.  Coming from I-17 south of Flagstaff, Hannah and I are stunned by the scope of Prescott Valley (PV), which gives us American convenience at our fingertips - Costco, Pet Smart, Home Depot, Cracker Barrel, and Ace Hardware - here in the middle of this mile high desert.  The Chamber of Commerce trumpets that PV is one of the fastest growing non-metropolitan towns in America.  And that’s a good thing?  PV does provide an escape from the heat, smog, and congestion of Phoenix, some 100 miles to the south.  We land at the Hampton Inn and Suites (www.prescottvalleysuites.hamptoninn.com) to escape the Arizona heat and traffic.  The buffet of biscuits, fruit, cold cereal, and juices are easily transported poolside where a good friend waits, the USA Today.

Heading East on route 69 we do arrive in Prescott.  A morning walk takes us through the wide streets, the river walkway, and to petite Prescott College (http://www.prescott.edu).  Tired of large classes and the impersonal touch of large universities?  Prescott College with its motto – for the liberal arts, the environment, and social justice.  What refugee of the Sixties wouldn’t want a grandchild to consider such a college?

The Lynx Lake Recreation Area (http://www.arizona-leisure.com/lynx-lake.html) is just a few miles from our motel, just off route 69.  Useful and brightly colored maps of various hikes are hospitably available at the Walker Road parking area.  Though we start in the early afternoon, it’s 80 degrees.  Appreciating the occasional ponderosa pine to shade our sun-drenched heads, arms, and legs, we choose hike 305, a fourteen mile round trip, nine of which we hike to keep to our target of three hours of hiking.  Gentle inclines at 5000 feet make this an enjoyable hike with a recreational feel.  Bald eagles nest near other Lynx Lake trails, which are closed from December though June.  Here’s the Fourth Commandment of the Trail - Pick up two maps at the trailhead so you can give one away.  Meeting two Girl Scout leaders unsure of the correct trail, we are reminded how nice it would have been to give them a map to navigate rather than just explain the way to go.

Walking mostly single file we hike under the alligator juniper (the bark does look like alligator hide!) and ponderosa pine, which shades us maybe 30% of the time.  Well-marked trails lead to Lynx Lake where families have come for this weekend Sunday for relief from the penetrating sun.  We are confident that we are on the right trail since we hear the reassuring muffled sounds of distant vehicles.  Once back at the Hampton Suites, we shower and return to the pool to toast the evening with a fine Shiraz, that yes is readily available in Prescott Valley.  However few, PV does have its merits.  Lynx Lake Hike – Very Good

As always when hiking, know thyself, thy limits, and the conditions.  Be prepared.