Trail #307

Trail #307 is the Groom Creek Loop Trail in Prescott National Forest near Prescott, Arizona, climbing to Spruce Mountain and the Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout Tower. It’s a loop hike (you can run a shorter, steeper north approach or a longer, more gradual south approach) with a moderate-to-slightly-advanced difficulty profile driven by elevation gain and steep switchbacks.

Distance is typically in the 7.2 to 8.5 miles round-trip range depending on the exact path you take within the loop. Plan for roughly 1,400 feet of gain and a high point around 7,693 feet at the lookout area.

A standard access pattern starts from a trailhead off Senator Highway about 6.4 miles south of Prescott, with parking and restrooms at the trailhead. The road to the trailhead is paved to the parking area.

On route, expect multi-use trail conditions—hikers share the path with horseback riders and mountain bikers—so keep right-of-way etiquette in mind and stay alert around other users. The tread is described as unpaved, with some loose/rough sections and steep, switchback-driven steps on the climbs and descents.

The lookout summit area is set up for a break: picnic tables, vault toilets, and (when staffed in summer) the chance to access the fire lookout tower. If the tower is not staffed, you still have the built summit facilities to work with.

Cole’s Cabin is a notable stop on/near the Groom Creek Trail #307 corridor on the loop, and Wolf Creek provides recurring water presence along the lower portions (it can be flowing more heavily after storms). These features help break up the climb and give you specific landmarks to orient around during the loop.

More information: The Trail That Has It All - Prescott Woman Magazine, Hike #9 - Groom Creek Loop (Spruce Mountain) Trail #307