West Willow

West Willow Nature Trail in Prescott and Griffith Springs just south of Flagstaff beg for comparison because they are among the shortest hikes in the state.

West Willow is a 1.1-mile loop trail along the Willow Lake shore. It is hooded by huge cottonwood trees supplying plenty of shade, and downed trees and limbs offer a few places to sit and just enjoy nature. The trail is dotted with yellow flowers and the dry wash on the way to the trail has brilliant red and purple blossoms.

There are several access points to West Willow Nature Trail, the closest by the dog park off Willow Creek Road. I use the Pine Street access point as I’m able to make it a 3.5-mile loop. There are plenty of connecting trails for those who want to make it longer. 

Griffith Springs, on SR89A south of Flagstaff on the way to Sedona, is about one mile in and another mile out. It has plenty of pines and takes you through a canyon. With some rain or spring snowmelt the flowing water makes a wonderful hike. It can also have plenty of flowers — I found my favorite flower here, the cinquefoil.

Some large rocks along the creek can be great places to hang out as the dragonflies whisper by.

West Willow is dry right now, but the big cottonwoods tell me there was plenty of water years ago. One hiker told me West Willow flooded three years ago, and that cormorants still nest here in abundance in the spring. Herons and great horned owls have also nested here. Last year some eagles were sighted on the far side of the lake.

You may not find solitude on either of these trails, but you won’t be overcome by big crowds either. You might usually find five to ten people on either. The West Willow Nature Trail is near homes, so there are dog-walkers and regulars on the trail. Griffith Springs is further out from town, and while a housing subdivision borders one side of the trail, it just doesn’t get as much traffic. Griffith Springs also has just one access point and doesn’t link up with other trails unless you cross the highway.

The only sign at Griffith Springs is at the trailhead. West Willow Nature Trail has plenty of signs, but they’re a little odd. The signs have no arrows and are usually a few feet from the junctions, of which there are many. When I first started hiking West Willow Nature Trail I found it was easy to make a wrong turn and go down one of the other trails. Still, you can’t get lost on this trail because you’re so close to everything.

One big difference between the two is that West Willow is at about 5,100 feet while Griffith Springs is at just under 7,000. Once I was hiking at Griffith Springs and my hiking partner wasn’t too happy because we were sinking into a foot of snow. West Willow is fairly flat, with one or two minor hills. The Griffith Springs Trail drops a couple of hundred feet, but once your down it’s flat before you hike back up the hill at the end.

The west side of West Willow has two cool components. First there is a huge limb forming an arch over the trail. Second, just a few paces further on there’s a downed log with a place to rest and behind it a good-sized lean-to.

Both are designated Important Birding Areas and pedestrians-only, so you won’t risk being knocked off the road by a biker or hear the buzz of ATVs. You could do both in one day and enjoy the scenic drive!