RV Trips South : Point of Rocks RV Park, March 25-29

Days 57 - 61 Friday-Wednesday March 25-29 Point of Rocks RV Park Prescott, AZ

Friday morning we rode our bikes around the neighborhood in Camp Verde area, lots of canals, animals, little ranches, and homes at all levels of affluence. It is an out-of-the way area down here along the river.

We headed north to Prescott, noticing the change in vegetation as the elevation changed, more conifers, even ponderosa pines here! The campground is almost full – again, these days it is necessary to have reservations well in advance! The park is among the Granite Dells, huge boulders, and we went out the north end of the park, chose a trail, and walked up on the rocks overlooking Watson Lake. We found our favorite rocks right away!

We will see how balanced this rock is!

We call this one Butt Rock. See another on the ridge?

Beautiful Watson Lake

Saturday we rode our bikes out of the campground and onto the Peavine Rail Trail, then the Iron King trail to Prescott Valley. This goes through the riparian area along Granite Creek above the lake, along the lake, and past Point of Rocks, where the train station used to be, and out of the dells and onto the plain. Great riding, a beautiful place. We rode 23 miles.

Point of Rocks on the Peavine Trail, Site of old rail depot

View of Watson Lake from the Peavine Trail

Iron King Trail heading down the valley to Prescott Valley

Railway equipment on the Iron King Trail

Thirsty cows on the Iron King Trail

Sunday was kayaking day, and we launched at Lake Watson Park nearby. We paddled up Granite Creek at the south end of the lake, and there was enough water that we were able to paddle into the riparian area there. Then we paddled around the east end of the lake, through some waterways through the rocks, and up to the dam on the north end. Disneyland for kayakers! By the time we headed back to our launch site, the wind had come up (again!), and it was tough paddling to get back!

Paddling up Granite Creek

Threading though shallow water

So serene, no indication of the wind we would encounter later!

Water getting rougher as we head across the lake

We have seen this cactus other places, always the only one of its kind!

Back channels, with balancing rocks

You can see the grade of the Peavine Trail at the head of this cove.
This is where the picture of the two of us was taken while biking.

Watson Dam at the north end of the lake. Water getting rougher!
Tough paddle back to the launch into the wind!

Before dinner we walked with Sarah down to Watson Park, and Jim threw the stick in the water for her. Her favorite fun!

Leaving campground for trail to rocks

Monday was hiking day, to hike around Watson Lake. It is about 7 miles around, and a good part of the trail is a White Dot trail through the rocks. The white dots are painted on the rocks so you can follow the trail as you climb up, down, and through the rock formations. It is a rigorous hike, a great one, not to be missed! Required Naproxen and lots of stretching when returning home.

Can you see the white dots on the rocks?

Canyon below the dam. Too windy to wear hat.

Stream through Granite Dells. Point of Rocks in the distance.

He used the dots to get there!

Monday night we treated a young friend of Jim’s from Camas, Carter, to dinner. He is attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, is in Air Force ROTC, and will get a degree in meteorology. He took us on a tour of the campus before dinner, and we saw the great house he is sharing with friends after dinner. He has a great start on his life!

We had planned to head north for Utah on Tuesday, but it was cold in Prescott and snowing up in Utah, so we postponed our trip for a couple of days. Tuesday we rode our bikes out of the campground and over to the bike trail by Willow Lake, up and around the far end. We watched an agility dog trial for a while. What happy dogs! After dinner we took Jim’s copter up into the rocks so he could get some lake videos. We stayed up there as the sun was setting and the light was changing over the lake. We have been watching Art Wolfe’s Travels to the Edge videos, and we have learned how important light is in taking photos, are trying to be more aware of it.

Racing Quadcopter

Hexacopter

Can you see the Quadcopter ready to launch?

The Photographer

Sunset beginning

Sunset continuing

Wednesday we drove to the trailhead to hike up Thumb Butte near Prescott, a great hike. Jim always likes hikes that involve climbing up into the sky. You do not hike to the rock top, but to the base of the rocks. There are Peregrine Falcons nesting there this time of year, so it is closed to rock climbers. We saw a couple of peregrines up there, took pictures as best we could. There was a memorial at the top of the trail for 19 Prescott firefighters who lost their lives in a 2009 fire. It was a loop hike – we had gone up the steep way and came down a little gentler way, which is always better for my knees.