Spruce Mountain in Prescott National Forest, AZ

Hike Spruce Mountain Prescott National Forest, AZ

Class 1 6.6 miles 1400 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Oct 9, 2021
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Spruce Mountain GPX Track

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Spruce Mountain is a nice little peak just south of Prescott, Arizonta. It seems to be most popularly accessed via the Groom Creek Trail, which is what I did. You could make this hike into a loop via the South Spruce Ridge Trail, but the forest kind of all looked the same to me and I decided to just make it an out-and-back. The trail is easy to follow and well-marked. Overall the hike has a really nice light grade as it slowly makes its way up to the peak via its west slope. Along the way there are some little overlooks into the surrounding forest. A few switchbacks toward the summit lead up slightly steeper terrain. The final push to the lookout tower at Spruce Mountain's summit follows a short section of dirt road. The views are really nice, Granite Mountain and Mount Union poking out in the distance.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Spruce Mountain
7696 ft
969 rise

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Groom Creek Trail.
Groom Creek Trail.
Winding, pleasant hike through the forest.
Winding, pleasant hike through the forest.
View back.
View back.
Slow ascent for the first significant portion of the hike.
Slow ascent for the first significant portion of the hike.
Image 4 from gallery
Switchback along the trail.
Switchback along the trail.
View back as I continue ascending.
View back as I continue ascending.
Spruce Mountain's south ridge visible ahead.
Spruce Mountain's south ridge visible ahead.
Nice viewpoints along the trail, but mostly it's just a forested walk.
Nice viewpoints along the trail, but mostly it's just a forested walk.
Image 9 from gallery
Image 10 from gallery
Ascending a steeper section about 2/3 of the way up.
Ascending a steeper section about 2/3 of the way up.
View back.
View back.
The trail switchbacks up this powerline cut for a bit.
The trail switchbacks up this powerline cut for a bit.
More siwtchbacks.
More siwtchbacks.
Final steep bit of slightly steeper trail leading to just below the summit. Just ahead I reached a dirt road, where I took a left to reach the summit.
Final steep bit of slightly steeper trail leading to just below the summit. Just ahead I reached a dirt road, where I took a left to reach the summit.
Spruce Mountain ahead.
Spruce Mountain ahead.
Spruce Mountain fire tower.
Spruce Mountain fire tower.
Image 18 from gallery
View from Spruce Mountain.
View from Spruce Mountain.
Granite Mountain in the distance.
Granite Mountain in the distance.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!