Iron King Trail (Prescott to Prescott Valley):
Arizona
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Description:
To say that the connected rail-trails of Prescott are oases in sun-baked, north-central Arizona is no exaggeration. Wherever water touches this arid landscape-and it does along the Peavine and Iron King trails-jade cottonwoods cluster, popping out against the desert's pale yellow and burnt brown pallet. And, at 5,300 feet above sea level, with cool breezes tempered by hot sunshine, Prescott is an ideal place for trail trips in the late winter and spring.
The Iron King's western trailhead is just beyond the "Point of Rocks" junction with the Peavine Trail. From the Peavine, turn right at the fork at "Point of Rocks" and hop on the Iron King Trail where you are engulfed in scraggly desert woods. A fenced-in bull grazes near a lonely pond and grunts as you pass. Off-shooting trails disappear in the underbrush, and every mile or so a haunting railroad relic stands guard.
Rusted, gutted, but plainly beautiful old train cars (smaller than most) are mounted at intervals along the trail. They're striking in their isolation, especially against the pale desert backdrop. As the Iron King breaks free of the forest and rolls into an expanse of prairie, the vistas on this stretch are marvelous as the land simply lays itself bare. Low, cream-tinted hills, bent prairie grasses and a haze of dust reach out toward distant mountain ranges as the trail ambles slightly downhill. A tumbleweed rolls by, so perfectly placed you look around for the Hollywood props master.
In the distance, the town of Prescott Valley comes into view. About a mile before trail's end (and the miles stretch out deceptively on this trail) the railroad corridor merges into an extra-wide dirt trail to reach Glassford Hill Road and Iron King's somewhat unspectacular finish, though this convinenet access point to the town makes it popular with daily runners and bicyclists.
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Iron King Trail Prescott Valley
By twirlymaker on December 08, 2007
29 Nov 07 A large Trail Head dirt parking lot on east side of Glassford Hill Rd., N34.61422 W112.34572.
Loose sand on the climb out from the square underpass required me to push my Tri-Cruiser clear,
The 0.9 mile of dirt road has good and poor sections. Once on the RR grade the surface is better.
Wide open view for the first 3 miles with a 1.3% grade and headwind, then into the narrows and over the summit and down to the Junction with Prescott Peavine Trail N34.60660 W112.40433
By cindy holt on June 06, 2006
Make it longer! It's too beautiful to end so soon!
Should be more like this one
By Matt L on April 24, 2006
"What a beautiful and functional trail. Amazing rock formations and beautiful views of plains and Mingus Mt, the Granite Dells, Granite Mt and other surrounding mountains. Best of all, this trail is very functional, serving as part of the trail system connecting Prescott and Prescott Valley. It is flat and wide and awesome for walking or biking!"
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