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Arizona Hiking Trails Photo Gallery
Adventure Resource
Adventure Resource
Alternate Loop Trail
PRESCOTT NATIONAL FOREST
Thumb Butte Recreational Area
Alternate Loop Trail TR 326
TRAILHEADS (TH)
Thumb Butte Picnic Area Trailhead
ACCESS POINTS
· Trail TR 314
· Thumb Butte Loop Trail TR 33
Trail use:
moderate
Trail difficulty:
moderate
Trail length:
1.4 miles (one way)
Estimated hiking time:
1+ hours
Season of Use:
year round
(subject to weather conditions)
Elevation change:
n/a
Things to be aware of:
· fee parking area
Thumb Butte Recreational Area
Alternate Loop Trail TR 326
TRAILHEADS (TH)
Thumb Butte Picnic Area Trailhead
ACCESS POINTS
· Trail TR 314
· Thumb Butte Loop Trail TR 33
Trail use:
moderate
Trail difficulty:
moderate
Trail length:
1.4 miles (one way)
Estimated hiking time:
1+ hours
Season of Use:
year round
(subject to weather conditions)
Elevation change:
n/a
Things to be aware of:
· fee parking area
83 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
• Hiking tips and guidelines
• What to bring on a day hike
• Some alternative hike suggestions
• Hiking safety tips
• Hiking Disclaimer & Site Use Terms
Regional area of Alternate Loop Trail : in the Thumb Butte Recreational Area, of the Prescott National Forest, near Prescott, Prescott Valley, Chino Valley, Yavapai County, Arizona.
DIRECTIONS
Take Gurley St west aobut 3 miles from downtown Prescott, Gurley becomes Thumb Butte Road and goes right into the forest service park. Park in the picnic parking lot fee area. Also see "more info" tab at top of page for Forest Service Trail Map link.
April 2007
I parked in the fee area and headed up the Thumb Butte Loop Trail TR 33 to the right side of the loop. It offers a classic city type scenic pine forest trail experience. Lots of folks on this part of the trail today, joggers, dog walkers, saturday hikers.
Silver got a treat when he met a tri color sheltie along the way. It is fun to watch how the best of this breed treats each other. They have a sort of non threatening way of "not pushing in" like most dogs do, more cat like behavior than a typical dog, none of that nose in your face stuff, they stop, tails in the relaxed but aware position, move to the side, stop again, one postions for the sniff, the other acts, they exchange sniffs, wag tails and now are ready to move on. These two were like brothers.
About 3/4 mile up TR33 where it starts to climb steeply and the rails are placed Trail TR 314 goes off to the right. I took that a short way through the woods to Alternate Loop TR 326 and began a steady climb down hill to the base.
If you are hiking TR33 allot you may want to give this one a try now and then for a change of scenery. It is allot less traveled and a little more of a rugged trail mix.
Enjoy the Hike!
Max West and Silver
USDA Trail details: • Map & Info -- USDA Forest Service
For closures or specific information:
Prescott National Forest Bradshaw Ranger District (928)-771-4700
This hiking trail photo gallery review features the Prescott area Alternate Loop Trail in the Thumb Butte Recreational Area, Prescott National Forest.