hiking trails, Lynx Lake, Highlands Trail TR 442, Prescott National Forest, Arizona

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Lynx Lake Highlands Trail TR 442

PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST
Highlands Trail TR 442,
TRAILHEADS (TH)
North: Highlands Center for Natural History
South: Access Road 611 Trailhead Parking area
ACCESS POINTS
· Highlands Center for Natural History
· Road 611 Trailhead
· TR 305 connection point
Trail use:
heavy
Trail difficulty:
moderate to difficult
Trail length:
1.5 + miles (one way)
Estimated hiking time:
1+ hours one way. plus add some time for some fun and stops along the way
Season of Use:
year round
(subject to weather conditions)
Elevation change:
est. about + 300 feet or more

Things to be aware of:
· Know and obey park trail rules and safety guidelines

428 photos

• Directions and trail hike review

• Hiking tips and guidelines

• What to bring on a day hike

• Some alternative hike suggestions

• Hiking safety tips

• Hiking Disclaimer & Site Use Terms

My trail hike review --- My trail rating: 3

Regional area of Highlands Trail : in the Prescott National Forest, Lynx Lake Recreational Area, near Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, in Yavapai County, Arizona.

DIRECTIONS
Take highway 69 to Walker Road (County Road 57). Turn south on Walker Road for 2+ miles to the signed Lynx Lake access road 611 turnoff on your left. Go back to the trailhead parking area which is also a north side Lynx Lake parking area for access to the recreation lake area. Park, cross the road, looking to the north side of the road for the well marked trail access point.

May 2008
Today was a warm, sunny, clear blue sky spring day. I parked at the Lynx Creek Ruin Trailhead and came down TR 305 to TR 442, however, I found in hiking this area today it would be much better to park at the north Lynx Lake rec area entrance on access road 611 and then loop this trail with TR443 or even park at the Highlands Center for Natural History and loop then together from there - ending up back there. You will find maps in all the fee parking areas of Lynx Lake Recreational area that will guide you on your journeys here.

Coming down the hill from the parking area off 611 you immediately notice a green area where water begins to lightly flow down to the creek bed below. It has been some time since I smelled that moist new grass scent and it was pleasant and cooler in the shaded areas along this green area. It was hot in the sun today so Silver was taking advantage of all the shade he found along the way.

I did see several groups of folks out on the trail today. Most came with their dogs. You may want to be aware that even though it is park rules that all dogs be on a leash often people either do not know that or do not care. None of the dogs I saw today turned out to be mean or aggressive but most all were larger breeds and excited about being outdoors and running across another dog and you never know what may happen in a situation like that if the critters do not take well to each other. Also you may want to keep your eyes open and your pets and kids out of harms way of the "serious cyclers" who are using parts of the trail system to thrill race on too! I had one go by me downhill doing at least 40 miles per hour - I seldom see Silver get alarmed or react to much at all on the trail but that seemed to upset him enough that he gave out a warning bark. All in all this is a very public area so a lot is moving around and happening in here.

On the way down to the creek bed there is a gentle small stream of water stepping down the rocks in very little waterfall drops. Lots of green areas, marshy stuff in the creek bed and tall pines. You could smell the pines wonderfully today. Dogs and kids were playing in the creek at the bottom. It is shaded in here and you look up the ravine to tall pines that line the top.

The first part of the trail is rather easy to traverse and solid then as you get to the bottom you will find the trail follows right along the creek bed (and in the creek during a rainy spell). It is very rocky, stoney with dead wood to traverse here so watch your step. Follow the creek trail all the way up to where there is a fence across the creek then up the natural stone steps to the top and back into the forest. I found this section of trail not as easily identified and marked. Note: Some folks have gotten confused or in a hurry and cut a trail off to the left and then to the top across some really slippery loose stone. I checked it out and it comes out back at the real trail but it is very difficult to navigate if you are not agile and sure footed so stick to the creek bed till you see the fence then go up that way.

Now here comes the crazy part. There is a turn off to the right in the forest area that is really TR 444 however, today as I went through some pranksters had moved the sign to make it appear that TR 442 goes to the right (it did not seem right but . . .). I checked it out and sure enough the turn to the right is TR 444 (not 442) and takes you north and then back down to the creek bed following it northward. So . . . if you get to a place where the trail can go right just stay to the left (west) and continue on till you cross TR 305, then go up the hill to some great views of the area then back down into the Highlands Center for Natural History complex.

Very enjoyable trail diversity with some educational markers and a great creek experience along the way.

Enjoy the Hike!
Max West and Silver

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MORE TRAIL INFO

USDA Trail details: • Map & Info -- USDA Forest Service
For closures or specific information:
Prescott National Forest Bradshaw Ranger District (928)-771-4700

This RimSurfer hiking trail photo gallery review features the Prescott area Lynx Lake, Highlands Trail TR 442, iin the Prescott National Forest of Arizona.