Banning Creek Trail

The Banning Creek Trail at Goldwater Lake in Prescott is as pedestrian as they come.

The hike is short. There's no other way to put it. From start to finish is no more than two miles.

The trail is mostly smooth, too, and has only the occasional areas of scattered, loose rock. Even then, it's easy just to step over them.

As for elevation change, the trail is a pancake, except for one or two very short inclines.

In fact, calling a trot along the Banning Creek Trail a "hike" is using the term loosely. It's more of a stroll or a walk.

And this is not a bad thing.

As hiking season starts up again, maybe a leisurely, pedestrian stroll around the lake is just what the doctor ordered.

The trail is a crescent. It starts at the picnic area at the park and hugs a little more than half the lake to a dam on one end. At the point, it's about-face and retrace the steps back to the beginning. Crossing the dam is not allowed.

What the trail lacks in challenges, it makes up for in beauty. Nearly the entire journey hugs the lakeshore. With pine covered mountains as a backdrop, and a picturesque body of water, ducks and all, only steps away, it's a great place to bring a camera, or simply enjoy the great outdoors.

We made our way to Prescott in mid-September. The park was a busy place. A local company was celebrating with an office party. Families were sharing picnic lunches on the tables. Kids were swimming, obviously trying to stretch the summer as far as they could.

Around one bend, a little girl waded in the water and squealed as she captured two small fish in her pink plastic cup. 

People paddled canoes around the lake and young and old shared the trail with us.

The afternoon temperature peaked in the mid-80s, more than 10 degrees cooler than in the Valley.

October's highs in Prescott average in the low 70s.

To get there, drive north on I-17 and take the Prescott exit at SR 69. Once in Prescott, SR 69 veers to the right and Gurly Street continues straight.

Drive on Gurly Street to Mt. Vernon Road and turn left at the light. Mt. Vernon becomes Old Senator Highway not far up the hill. The Goldwater Lake turnoff is on the right along Old Senator Highway about three miles from Gurly Street.

There is a voluntary pay station at the entrance to the park. Entry is $1.50.

This hike was first featured October 2001 and revised February 2007.