Prescott Circle Trail!

Well I spent the last few months hinting to my wife I really really wanted to ride Prescott. She brought up this week maybe being ok, I could not believe it, excitement was my first reaction, then some guilt. It was not talked about for a few days and then I brought it up th day before and suggeseted I drop Landon off at school and then I take off. I was excpecting her to decline my decision to go up sayaing do it another day or something but she wanted to say don't go but I persisted and knew I needed to go. So up I went on a nice drive up to Prescott. I have done the circle trail once before so it should be easier to navigate and thankfully they have a bunch of signs leading the way. So I got into the walmart lot, I know right funny place to start a ride. It was a quick pedal across the street to where I would meet up with the trail, feeling good it started mellow and quick descent, twists n turns and smiling ear to ear I made the right choice. I was so happy to be out of the valley, the air was clean and clear and trees were a beautiful sight. After ome really really nice miles I was on flat ground going throught the riparian preserve, towering cottonwoods and meadows dotted the lanscape, ahhhhh paradise. I then began to get views of Watson lake, quite the sight to hold, very scenic and very cool rocks. Now I was on gravel path until I connected with the next Pioneer Park area network of trails. The trail was now back single, and ups and downs but mostly up along quiet sage, the sun was very warm. I was looking forward to shade soon. The a quick stint onto pavement, through a neigborhood and onto a rough climby section known as hokaygon near granite mountain. The pines were back now and back on wonderful singletrack of Javalina. Across the street again and then a boring downhill into the pines, I saw trail after trail of narrow singletrack that would have been marvelous to enjoy but I was on the route and the time crunch, super painful to pass it by. After a long dull DH it was back to climbing and the best part of the ride. Garden grove, potts creek, cold spring, all absolutely delightlful with fantastic singletrack in the pines. Ran into a few bikers and horses but that was just a few. The climbing was taking some toll but I was feeling great. It was now time for a long down wolverton mountain. It's not really a fun downhill but going down felt nice but I knew I had alot more up to go. Now at the trailhead for goldwater lakes, I had my first bit of water and knew well what I had ahead of me. There was a smell of campfire and as I rode I guess the place had just burned, some spots were still smoldering! I was so glad the trail was open cuase that would have really put a damper on me. It's a nice climb, it came to a pause when I hit myself stupidly on the stem stalled out on a rock drop, intense pain came over and I began to feel sick and laid down for 10 minutes, it was great to take in the view while my discomfort settled. From there it was back to wonderful Pines and awhole lot of climbing up the ranch trails which seemed like forever but I was excited to bypass boy scout trail this time cause that sucked. By now my legs were hurt wonky and probably should have rested more, ate more and drank more. I cranked on forever and then a few more ups and some sonderful views the descent down Badger was welcoming and short ride up to the car and BAM! Mission accomplished, 6.11 hours hours on the bike and one mighty fine day up in Prescott! Now that I have done it twice I don't know when the next time will be, but I will definitely ride some more up there next chance I get!