The Iron King is a short trail starting in Prescott Valley, AZ. It runs about 4 miles before it merges with the Peavine trail. It is an easy hike or bike ride with some beautiful scenery and quite a few birds if you keep your eyes open.
The first half of the trail is an uphill climb across wide open plains. Looking back gives you a view of Prescott Valley to the Black Hills (locals call them the Mingus Mountains). Mockingbirds, Kingbirds, Horned Larks, finches, ravens, Red tail Hawk, vultures are all plentiful here. From time to time you'll see Golden Eagles and, sometimes, Great Blue Heron traversing between local lakes.
The open trail is lined with wildflowers like thistles, Indian Paintbrush and this, which is a prickle poppy
Can anyone spot the Western Tailed Blue butterfly?
As you climb up, you pass Glassford Hill, a dormant volcano, and enter the spectacular rock formations the trail passes through on the way to the Peavine trail and Granite Dells.
Tempting to see what's around the next curve, but this is where I have to turn around...
The first half of the trail is an uphill climb across wide open plains. Looking back gives you a view of Prescott Valley to the Black Hills (locals call them the Mingus Mountains). Mockingbirds, Kingbirds, Horned Larks, finches, ravens, Red tail Hawk, vultures are all plentiful here. From time to time you'll see Golden Eagles and, sometimes, Great Blue Heron traversing between local lakes.
The open trail is lined with wildflowers like thistles, Indian Paintbrush and this, which is a prickle poppy
Can anyone spot the Western Tailed Blue butterfly?
As you climb up, you pass Glassford Hill, a dormant volcano, and enter the spectacular rock formations the trail passes through on the way to the Peavine trail and Granite Dells.
Tempting to see what's around the next curve, but this is where I have to turn around...
