Hike of the week: Goldwater Lakes Trail, Prescott

Hiking blogger Mare Czinar likes nothing better than to hit the trail. Find more of her news and recommendations at arizonahiking.blogspot.com.

When completed, Prescott's Circle Trail will make a 50-mile loop around the mile-high city. It will use existing hiking trails, bike routes, roads and newly constructed paths. Swooping through pine-wrapped mountains, creekside greenery, windy grasslands, municipal parks, national forest and high-country lakes, the route highlights the scenic diversity surrounding Arizona's original capital city.

More than a dozen trailheads along major roads make hiking the route in segments or via car-shuttle treks a cinch. A favorite segment for day hiking in warmer months is Goldwater Lakes Trail. Massive canopies of ponderosa pines, alligator juniper and oak provide shade as the route winds above the lakes and across the boulder-flanked ravine of Bannon Creek.

Although the trail itself does not go to the upper or lower lake, obvious spur trails will get you there. The trek is anchored by two trailheads that also connect to longer national-forest routes and the rest of the Circle Trail.

Length: 4.7 miles one way.

Rating: Moderate.

Elevation: 5,630-6,165 feet.

Where: Take Interstate 17 north to Cordes Junction. Go west on State Route 69 to Mount Vernon Avenue/Senator Highway. Turn left and go 4 miles the Watershed Trailhead on the left. The Goldwater Lake Trail begins across the road. To reach the west trailhead, continue past Mount Vernon Avenue to Montezuma Street (ak a White Spar Drive). Turn left and go 3 miles south to the White Spar Campground on the left.

Details: fs.usda.gov/prescott.