Hiking Spruce Mountain & the Groom Creek Loop

If you only do one hike near Prescott, make it Spruce Mountain by way of the Groom Creek Loop. It starts right in our neighborhood and delivers everything you want from a high-country trail: deep pine forest, a satisfying climb, and a historic fire lookout with a view that goes on forever.

The trail

The Groom Creek Loop (Trail #307) begins at the Groom Creek Horse Camp, about six miles south of downtown on Senator Highway. It’s roughly a 9-mile loop with around 1,300 feet of climbing — a moderate half-day hike most reasonably fit walkers can do at an easy pace. Prefer something shorter? You can hike up toward the summit and back as an out-and-back instead of the full loop.

The path winds up through tall ponderosa and Gambel oak, switchbacking toward the top of Spruce Mountain at about 7,700 feet — high enough that the forest changes character and the air thins noticeably.

The lookout and the views

The summit is crowned by a historic fire lookout tower, one of several built in these mountains generations ago to spot wildfires. On a clear day the panorama stretches across the Bradshaw Mountains and out over the surrounding national forest. It’s the kind of view that makes the climb feel like a bargain.

What to bring

• More water than you think — it’s a real climb at altitude.
• Layers and sun protection — mountain weather shifts, and the sun is strong up high.
• Sturdy shoes — the trail is rocky in spots.
• An eye on the weather and fire restrictions, especially in summer.

Best of all, it’s practically out the door of our cabins in Groom Creek. Hike it in the cool morning, then soak in the hot tub all afternoon. Reserve your dates.