Spence Basin Easy Loop

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Features Views

The Prescott City trail map shows some Green, Blue and Black trails in the area. This route combines all of the trails listed as Green in a "cherry and stem" type route. Not too many rock obstacles, but still a fair amount of elevation gain so it is a nice workout. A couple of optional side trips are included.

2 Trailheads in the area, Irons Springs Trailhead and Spence Springs Trailhead. There is a porta-potty at the lower trailhead.

The route starts at the Iron Springs Trailhead, the upper of the two main Spence Basin trailheads. The route begins easy, traveling down a former railroad grade (part of the Javelina Trail #332). After a mile and a half, the route turns sharp left at the Sidekick Trail. A powerline crosses the trail at this junction.

The next mile is the trickiest piece of trail on the route, mostly descending with a few small rocks to dodge and one sizeable rock crossing obstacle that can be walked if needed. The Sidekick Trail ends at a junction with the Noodle Trail.

The Noodle Trail is a loop that can be taken either direction, but this track goes clockwise (left). About the 3 1/2 mile point of the route, there is a junction with the Vista Trail. Straight ahead is a short side trip down to the Spence Springs Trailhead. This is optional.

Back at the Vista Trail junction, the Noodle Trail loop continues to the left soon crossing Spence Springs Road and paralleling the road for a while. Another optional side trip uses a bit of the Willy Nilly Tractor trail and the Wally's Rest Trail and leaves the Noodle Trail on the left. Wally's Rest is a scenic overlook spot for a nice rest before beginning the uphill return.

Coming back to the Noodle Trail, and continuing back across Spence Springs Road, the Noodle Trail loop is soon completed back at the end of the Sidekick Trail.

From here the route returns back to the trailhead the way it came, with a stiff climb up the Sidekick Trail to the Javelina Trail, and then back up the railroad grade with its gentle, but constant grade.