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 | Javelina - Willowy Loop, AZ | |
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| | Javelina - Willowy Loop, AZ | | | |
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Javelina - Willowy Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 8.40 Miles |
1,626 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.40 Miles | 3 Hrs 34 Mns | | 2.39 mph |
| 1,626 ft AEG | 3 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | This is a long-tailed "tadpole loop," the name I use for hikes that start and end as an out-and-back, but have a loop in the middle. The hike starts at the Iron Springs Trailhead west of Prescott, AZ and heads north on Javelina Trail #332 (part of the Prescott Circle Trail). The north end of Javelina Trail is at the southeast edge of Granite Basin, not far from the Cayuse Trailhead used by equestrian trail riders. Willow Connector Trail #346 was taken through the Cayuse Trailhead to Chimbly Water Trail #348 and then Willow Trail #347 was used to return to near the north end of Javelina Trail. The return to the Iron Springs Trailhead was on Javelina Trail.
Near the beginning of the hike, Thumb Butte (see photo) is in view to the east. At about a quarter mile into the hike, there is a brief view of Granite Mountain (see photo). Then, Javelina Trail descends to cross a gully and climbs back up to near the starting elevation. On the return trip, at least a dozen different species of birdsong could be heard. During the middle four miles, Granite Mountain is usually in view, as can be seen in the background of some of the photos. Alongside the loop portion of the hike are many stacked rock formations, a couple of which are in the photos.
In late April 2026, there were numerous wildflowers from what little rain was received the first four months of the year. A prodigious amount of southwestern mock verain was present with some almost always in sight, except on Willow Connector Trail. There were lots of Palmer's penstemon on Javelina and Willow Trails. Throughout the hike, Mexican cliffrose bushes were in bloom and lobeleaf groudsel were in flower (see photos). There was a patch of yellow evening primrose to the west of Willow Connector Trail (dirt road from the north end of Javelina Trail to the Cayuse Trailhead). Near the north end of Javelina Trail, a single agave was about to bloom (see photos). |
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Wildflowers Observation Substantial
southwestern mock verain; Palmer's penstemon; New Mexico thistle; Mexican cliffrose; lobeleaf groundsel; yellow evening primrose; cutleaf globemallow; filaree; ashen milkvetch; scarlet gilia; Parry's agave and other unidentified flowering plants |
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