Nigel Reynolds is a Courier columnist writing about Amazing Places.
We have visited Willow Lake twice in the past few months, mainly to talk about nearby railroads, but today we’re going to find out about some different history — homesteads and irrigation.
This month we’re going to explore the old railroad to Crown King — the Bradshaw Mountain RR (BMRR).
A Happy New Year to all of my readers.
Today, we will go for a jaunt on the Hassayampa River, upstream from Wickenburg. It’s an unusual name for a river, and it truly is an unusual river.
Two weeks ago, I wrote about Willow Lake and some of its surrounding history. Well, with all of my helpers, I found a lot more interesting history that I will share with you in a future article. Today, we are going back to an even earlier time, to where the local Indians settled in prehistory.
Prescott’s Willow Lake is a celebrated place with many trails for hiking, running and mountain biking.
Back in July my article was about a hiking trail (Granite Gardens) that many of you enjoyed, so here is another trail you’ll probably enjoy also. With the virus still lurking, it’s good to have an excuse to get out into the fresh air.
This is probably the first time I have written three articles that have a common sequence — in this instance all related to the Agua Fria River.
Instead of reading the pipeline article, you will have to wait another fortnight because I will be writing this cautionary tale instead. I hope this will help you better prepare for any hikes you choose to do.
Happy Grandparents Day! Let’s start with some basic Spanish — Agua Fria means “cold water.” That river will be known to almost everyone who lives here. Fewer people know that it rises about five miles to the northeast of downtown Prescott in the Granite Dells.
