Prescott, Arizona - Iron King Trail

Cattle Pond Along Iron King Trail

The Iron King's western trailhead is just beyond the Point of Rocks junction with the Peavine Trail. From the Peavine, turn right at the fork at Point of Rocks and hop on the Iron King Trail where you are engulfed in scraggly desert woods. Off-shooting trails disappear in the underbrush, and every mile or so a haunting railroad relic stands guard.

A Mineralized Mountain Along Iron King Trail

A Mineralized Mountain Along Iron King Trail

In the distance, the town of Prescott Valley comes into view. About 1 mile before trail's end (and the miles stretch out deceptively on this trail) the railroad corridor merges into an extra-wide dirt trail to reach Glassford Hill Road and Iron King's somewhat unspectacular finish, though this convenient access point to the town makes it popular with daily runners and bicyclists. 1

Granite Formations Along Iron King Trail

Granite Formations Along Iron King Trail

Path Off Iron King Trail

Path Off Iron King Trail

Rusted and gutted, but plainly beautiful, old train cars (smaller than most) are mounted at intervals along the trail. They're striking in their isolation, especially against the pale desert backdrop. As the Iron King breaks free of the forest and rolls into an expanse of open land, the vistas on this stretch are marvelous as the land simply lays itself bare. Low, cream-tinted hills, grasses and a haze of dust reach out toward distant mountain ranges as the trail ambles slightly downhill. A tumbleweed rolls by so perfectly placed, you look around for the Hollywood props master.

Boulders Along Iron King Trail

Boulders Along Iron King Trail

References