Groom Creek Loop-Trail 307

[dennisbench]

What a beautiful day in Prescott today!! We pulled into the parking area at 9:45, with no one else in sight. The temps were wonderful, I had a mid-weight base layer with a t-shirt. I wore my fleece only when we stopped for lunch. The hike was described as moderately strenuous, but it really was a walk in the park. The first 3 miles climb slowly up to about 7700 feet, to the Spruce Mt. Lookout. The tower was closed, bu the views from the rocks surrounding the tower were beautiful. We saw Humphrey's Peak and all the surrounding mountains. About one mile past the tower, we found a nice spot, ate lunch, and laid on the ground listening to the trees for about 30 minutes. The final 4.5 miles heads back down to the trailhead. There was a little bit of snow left, but not much. The hike would be a little bit more challenging if done counter-clockwise, as it heads down pretty quickly. This was the first time I've been in, what I have always thought of as a forest, since being back in Pennsylvania. I would highly recommend this hike, as it was a nice leisurely stroll through the woods, with some nice views at the top.